Project Accountant-LAC

Location: Based in Latin America (Spanish speaking country)

Department: Programme Support

Reports to (Line Manager): Global Finance Business Partner

Grade: Grade C

Contract Type: Full-time, fixed-term contract until 31 December 2026 with a possibility for extension

About HelpAge

HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives.

Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience.

As countries prepare for and adapt to population ageing, we are seeking to make a difference at a critical juncture to how societies, economies and institutions adapt to this change.

Our 2030 Strategy 2030, Ageing in a Just World,sets out how we will work to shape the future we all share. By working together with our partners, we aim to inspire a movement for change. By ensuring all our work promotes older people’s wellbeing, dignity and voice, we seek to transform the lives of older people now and in the future.

Guided by our commitment to our values of impact, learning, partnership, and inclusion, we partner with others to bring systemic change and impact at scale. By acting as a supporter, convenor and thought leader, we want to make an impact that matters for older people and their communities.

About the Department

Programme Support Department leads HelpAge International's humanitarian and resilience programmes, ensuring that older people, people with disabilities, and other at-risk groups are included in emergency response and recovery efforts. Through strong programme delivery, partnerships, and accountability, the department works to provide timely, effective, and inclusive humanitarian assistance to communities affected by crises.

About the Job

The Project Accountant will manage the accounts of the Venezuela Emergency Response Project so that accounting information is up to date, clear and organised. Accounting practices must demonstrate the transparency of economic activities and support financial decision-making.

The Project Accountant will support the execution, monitoring and control of HelpAge programmes in Venezuela and Colombia, including processes, procedures and accountability aligned with international standards, HelpAge processes and local legislation. The role will work with the Global Finance Business Partner, LAC and Africa Finance Business Partner, Project Managers, and partner organisations.

Key areas for impact/influence and responsibilities

• Support Global Finance Business Partner and LAC and Africa Finance Business Partner in preparing proposals and budgets for projects and programmes.
• Review implementing partners’ expenditure forecast and prepare for fund request and send to Global Finance Business Partner and Emergency Response Manager for approval.
• Review Implementing Partners’ expenditure report, get it approved as appropriate and post in HelpAge’s Accounting system.
• Ensure partners code project expenditure as per project Budget and expenditure and documents are submitted with correct codes.
• For funds transferred to partners, exchange rate information should be available, and the exchange rate used for reported expenditures should be verified for accuracy.
• Prepare Project Financial Monitoring Report (PMRs), analyse variances and review with project Managers as appropriate.
• Prepare implementing partners’ debtor balances monthly and ensure any financial risks are mitigated.
• Prepare Equals Card reconciliation as required and post in the accounting system.
• Support HelpAge’s Global Finance Team for smooth operation of Global Finance Function including reconciliation of control accounts.

Skills and experience required

Essential

• Should possess a degree in accounting; graduate studies in finance are desirable.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in accounting management in public or private sector companies or organisations.
• Experience in international cooperation or projects funded by international donors.
• Experience working with implementing partners.
• Experience with accounting software applications; B2 level desired.
• Knowledge of LAC legislation
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to work autonomously, planning and organising work with minimum supervision.
• Proactive attitude.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Sensitivity and passion for humanitarian causes.

Desirable

• Experience working with partners in Emergency responses especially in the LAC region.
• Ability to travel within the LAC region as and when required
• Should possess the right to live and work in the LAC region

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Location: Based in Latin America (Spanish speaking country)

Department: Programme Support

Reports to (Line Manager): Global Finance Business Partner

Grade: Grade C

Contract Type: Full-time, fixed-term contract until 31 December 2026 with a possibility for extension

About HelpAge

HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives.

Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience.

As countries prepare for and adapt to population ageing, we are seeking to make a difference at a critical juncture to how societies, economies and institutions adapt to this change.

Our 2030 Strategy 2030, Ageing in a Just World,sets out how we will work to shape the future we all share. By working together with our partners, we aim to inspire a movement for change. By ensuring all our work promotes older people’s wellbeing, dignity and voice, we seek to transform the lives of older people now and in the future.

Guided by our commitment to our values of impact, learning, partnership, and inclusion, we partner with others to bring systemic change and impact at scale. By acting as a supporter, convenor and thought leader, we want to make an impact that matters for older people and their communities.

About the Department

Programme Support Department leads HelpAge International's humanitarian and resilience programmes, ensuring that older people, people with disabilities, and other at-risk groups are included in emergency response and recovery efforts. Through strong programme delivery, partnerships, and accountability, the department works to provide timely, effective, and inclusive humanitarian assistance to communities affected by crises.

About the Job

The Project Accountant will manage the accounts of the Venezuela Emergency Response Project so that accounting information is up to date, clear and organised. Accounting practices must demonstrate the transparency of economic activities and support financial decision-making.

The Project Accountant will support the execution, monitoring and control of HelpAge programmes in Venezuela and Colombia, including processes, procedures and accountability aligned with international standards, HelpAge processes and local legislation. The role will work with the Global Finance Business Partner, LAC and Africa Finance Business Partner, Project Managers, and partner organisations.

Key areas for impact/influence and responsibilities

• Support Global Finance Business Partner and LAC and Africa Finance Business Partner in preparing proposals and budgets for projects and programmes.
• Review implementing partners’ expenditure forecast and prepare for fund request and send to Global Finance Business Partner and Emergency Response Manager for approval.
• Review Implementing Partners’ expenditure report, get it approved as appropriate and post in HelpAge’s Accounting system.
• Ensure partners code project expenditure as per project Budget and expenditure and documents are submitted with correct codes.
• For funds transferred to partners, exchange rate information should be available, and the exchange rate used for reported expenditures should be verified for accuracy.
• Prepare Project Financial Monitoring Report (PMRs), analyse variances and review with project Managers as appropriate.
• Prepare implementing partners’ debtor balances monthly and ensure any financial risks are mitigated.
• Prepare Equals Card reconciliation as required and post in the accounting system.
• Support HelpAge’s Global Finance Team for smooth operation of Global Finance Function including reconciliation of control accounts.

Skills and experience required

Essential

• Should possess a degree in accounting; graduate studies in finance are desirable.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in accounting management in public or private sector companies or organisations.
• Experience in international cooperation or projects funded by international donors.
• Experience working with implementing partners.
• Experience with accounting software applications; B2 level desired.
• Knowledge of LAC legislation
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to work autonomously, planning and organising work with minimum supervision.
• Proactive attitude.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Sensitivity and passion for humanitarian causes.

Desirable

• Experience working with partners in Emergency responses especially in the LAC region.
• Ability to travel within the LAC region as and when required
• Should possess the right to live and work in the LAC region

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.