Senior Programme Finance Officer

Altum Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's charity is seeking a Senior Programme Finance Officer for a fixed-term contract until April 2026. The role involves financial management of funding awards, including monitoring expenditure and donor reporting. The ideal candidate will have practical bookkeeping knowledge, advanced spreadsheet skills, and experience with complex budgets. Hybrid working is offered, with one day per month in the office. This position is available immediately for short-term engagement.

Qualifications

• Practical knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting principles.
• Experience developing and reviewing complex budgets to tight deadlines.
• Experience working with complex accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial support for funding bids, including budgeting and cost recovery.
• Review and quality-assure proposal budgets prior to submission.
• Support award start-up, monitoring and close-out processes.
• Monitor expenditure, burn rates, KPIs and foreign exchange impacts.
• Review and finalise donor financial reports.
• Maintain accurate reporting on the funding pipeline and cost recovery.
• Support donor and statutory audits and compliance processes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across various country offices.

Skills

Double-entry bookkeeping

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Managing complex budgets

Strong written and verbal communication

Flexible and proactive approach

Job description

Salary: £39,889 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 34.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed-term until 13 April 2026
Location: UK-based, hybrid working (one day per month in the office)

We are seeking a Senior Programme Finance Officer for a children's charity for a short-term contract. Reporting to the Programme Finance Manager, you will play a key role in the financial management of funding awards, including large and complex humanitarian grants and commercial contracts.

This is a varied and hands-on role, combining bid development support, financial monitoring, donor reporting and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide financial support for funding bids, including budgeting, cost recovery, risk costing and due diligence
• Review and quality-assure proposal budgets prior to submission
• Support award start-up, monitoring and close-out processes
• Monitor expenditure, burn rates, KPIs and foreign exchange impacts
• Review and finalise donor financial reports
• Maintain accurate reporting on the funding pipeline, matched funding, cost recovery and disallowances
• Support donor and statutory audits and compliance processes
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across various country offices

About You

You are a collaborative and solutions-focused finance professional with strong technical skills and experience managing complex budgets.

You will have:

• Practical knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting principles
• Advanced spreadsheet skills
• Experience developing and reviewing complex budgets to tight deadlines
• Experience working with complex accounting systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A flexible, proactive approach and a commitment to continuous learning

If you're available immediately for a short-term contract, please reach out for a conversation.