Title: Finance Officer, SPRING – Philippines

Job Title: Finance Officer

Reports to: Senior Finance Manager

Direct Reports: None

Works closely with: Finance and Administrative Officer, Procurement Officers, program and operations teams

Location: Manila, Philippines

Duration: One year, renewable annually based on performance and program needs

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING supports efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines. 

SPRING contributes to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.

The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities. 

SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs): 

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.

2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.

3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.

4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, the Finance Officer supports the day-to-day accounting, financial administration, reconciliation and compliance functions of the SPRING program. The role provides accurate and timely accounting support to ensure program expenditure is properly recorded, documented, acquitted and aligned with approved budgets, Cowater International policies, DFAT requirements and Philippine Government regulations

The Finance Officer works under the guidance of the Senior Finance Manager and complements the Finance and Administrative Officer, who leads administrative payment processing, financial form management and documentation coordination. The Finance Officer is expected to focus on accounting accuracy, financial records, reconciliations, payroll support, statutory compliance support, and preparation of financial data and schedules for review by the Senior Finance Manager.

The position contributes to strong internal controls, audit readiness and fiduciary assurance by maintaining reliable accounting records, identifying documentation gaps, supporting financial reporting inputs, and escalating issues or risks to the Senior Finance Manager in a timely manner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Accounting, Bookkeeping and Financial Records

• Maintain accurate and complete accounting records in the program’s financial management system, including coding, posting and filing of transactions in line with approved budgets and chart of accounts.
• Review payment documentation for completeness, accuracy, correct coding and compliance before submission for Senior Finance Manager review and approval.
• Record and acquit advances, liquidations, reimbursements, petty cash transactions and other expenditures in a timely manner.
• Maintain up-to-date financial files, schedules and supporting documentation to support audit readiness, reporting and internal controls.
• Identify and promptly escalate accounting discrepancies, missing documentation, compliance issues or potential financial risks to the Senior Finance Manager.

Reconciliations, Cashflow and Controls Support

• Prepare monthly bank, cash, petty cash and advance reconciliations for Senior Finance Manager review.
• Support cashflow monitoring by preparing transaction summaries, fund utilisation updates and supporting schedules as requested.
• Assist with monthly fund request preparation by compiling expenditure data, commitments and supporting documentation for Senior Finance Manager review.
• Monitor liquidation of staff, consultant, partner and activity advances and follow up on overdue acquittals in coordination with relevant team members.
• Support implementation of internal controls, fraud control procedures and segregation of duties by ensuring documentation, approvals and accounting records are complete before processing.
• Coordinate closely with the Finance and Administrative Officer to ensure payment documentation, forms and supporting records are complete and properly filed.

Payroll, Statutory Compliance and Reporting Inputs

• Support payroll preparation by compiling timesheets, personnel payment information, deductions and supporting schedules for Senior Finance Manager review.
• Assist in preparing statutory remittance schedules and supporting documentation for Philippine Government contributions, taxes and other reportorial requirements.
• Maintain records of payroll, statutory payments, consultant payments and related supporting documentation.
• Prepare routine financial schedules, expenditure summaries, budget-versus-actual data and transaction listings to support monthly, quarterly and ad hoc reporting.
• Update financial records to reflect exchange rate variations and other adjustments as instructed by the Senior Finance Manager.
• Assist with audit preparation by compiling requested schedules, vouchers, supporting documents and explanations for review.
• Perform other finance and accounting tasks assigned by the Senior Finance Manager to support efficient program implementation.

Coordination and Team Support

• Work collaboratively with the Finance and Administrative Officer to ensure efficient payment workflows, accurate documentation and timely follow-up of finance requirements.
• Provide finance guidance to program staff on documentation requirements, acquittals, coding and compliance processes, escalating complex issues to the Senior Finance Manager.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of accounting templates, filing systems, checklists and financial procedures under the direction of the Senior Finance Manager.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or other relevant field.
• Certified Public Accountant certification is an advantage.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 4–6 years of relevant experience in accounting, bookkeeping, financial administration or finance officer roles.
• Experience supporting accounting and financial management for donor-funded programs, international development programs or NGOs is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with reconciliations, payment documentation review, payroll support, liquidations, audit preparation and financial filing.

Essential Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Proficiency in standard accounting software, experience in using Vantage Point is an advantage, and with strong Microsoft Excel skills. 
• Good understanding of internal controls, payment documentation, acquittal processes and audit readiness requirements.
• Ability to organise workload, meet deadlines and follow up documentation requirements across teams.
• Sound judgement, integrity and ability to handle confidential financial and personnel information appropriately.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with finance, administration, procurement and program teams.
• Proficiency in English and Filipino.

• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles, with knowledge or experience in promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion especially within adaptive programs like SPRING. This includes a clear understanding of and practical experience in safeguarding, particularly in the context of child protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), with the ability to integrate safeguarding measures into program implementation.

• Compliance to DFAT policies on fraud control, financing terrorism, child protection and other social safeguards.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 14 August 2026. This is an ongoing, rolling recruitment, and candidates may be reviewed before and leading up to the deadline.

For your application to be considered, please upload or submit your documents using the following file naming format: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Please send your cover letter addressing the position selection criteria and CV with the name and contact details of three professional referees to hr@springphilippines.org, mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line: “SPRING Finance Officer”.

Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly encouraged to apply.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. Persons with disabilities may send a request for reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process to hr@springphilippines.org.

Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery.

Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks.

We thank all applicants; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About Us

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.