Job Title: Financial Manager – Health Team (Junior/Mid Level)

Location: Islamabad

Job Type: Contract (12 months, extendable based on need and performance)

About the Organization: The Health Practice at Oxford Policy Management (OPM)in Pakistan office, is currently seeking a Financial Manager on a contract basis. This position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

We are an international development consultancy dedicated to improving lives through sustainable policy change, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Our mission is to deliver fair and effective public policies that benefit both people and the planet.

Through our global network of offices, OPM works closely with national stakeholders and decision-makers to design, implement, and evaluate public policy initiatives that have a lasting impact. Our projects are backed by extensive local knowledge, combined with international expertise, to ensure the highest level of quality in delivery. We pride ourselves on our collaborative and ambitious approach to creating lasting change through innovative policy solutions.

Position summary:The Financial Manager for the Health Practice at Oxford Policy Management (OPM), based in the Pakistan office, will be responsible for overseeing and managing the financial operations related to health team projects. This role will ensure that financial processes, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting are effectively implemented to support the health practice’s strategic objectives. The Financial Manager will work closely with program managers, technical leads, and the finance team to ensure compliance with financial regulations, provide insightful financial analysis, and maintain strong client relationships.

This position requires a strong background in financial management, including experience with budgeting, cost analysis, and financial reporting. The Financial Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring that health projects are delivered efficiently and in line with both organizational goals and client requirements, contributing to OPM’s mission of driving sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries.

Responsibilities

1. Acquire an excellent understanding of the team’s commercial goals and sufficient knowledge of the technical focus of the work.
2. Collaborate with management to develop value-added reporting that demonstrates performance according to the relevant commercial metrics.
3. Provide financial reports as per organizational and client requirements, adapting to changing needs, including quarterly invoicing.
4. Monitor financial performance against budget and forecast, providing analysis, informative commentary, and advice during performance monitoring meetings. Explain and verify variances in budgets and forecasts, ensuring any risks are highlighted to the relevant financial and management teams.
5. Work with management and technical team leads to ensure all relevant financial and coding information, as well as workplan details, are provided in a timely manner.
6. Prepare financial forecasts for team activities in collaboration with team members, including supporting managers with quarterly forecasting.
7. Develop and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders.
8. Monitor compliance with client, statutory, and internal control requirements, ensuring project teams are aware of and follow these requirements.
9. Regularly review and approve budgets, making recommendations to management as necessary.

10. Liaise with financial accounting teams to ensure accounting records, invoicing, and data are accurate and complete.

11. Track and ensure timely processing of invoices, including sales tax records.

12. Conduct regular reviews of cash flow and budgets.

13. Engage with clients regularly to support financial reporting and oversight. Maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.

14. Lead on the preparation of detailed budgets for activities based on implementation plans, collaborating with team members and leads.

15. Ensure compliance with financial guidelines and regulatory requirements, supporting audits and providing requested financial information when needed.

16. Work with the finance team to continually improve delivery and reporting processes.

Level of Autonomy:

• Respond to client requests for financial information, ensuring communications are logged appropriately and shared with relevant management teams.
• Communicate the implications of financial models to stakeholders and agree on ways of working.
• Ensure the smooth integration of in-country teams with project planning and financial management processes.
• Provide swift feedback on financial implications of proposed workplan developments and variations to support forward planning.

Skills and Experience:

• More than 3 years of experience post-qualification from ACCA, ICMA, CIMA, or a similar professional licensing authority.
• Proven experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of core accounting principles, period-end routines, and compliance with financial regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders and clients to provide financial insights and support decision-making.
• Advanced financial modeling and analysis skills, with the ability to develop creative solutions for complex financial challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in managing client relationships.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.