Manager – Program Finance

Azim Premji Foundation; Patna; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Azim Premji Foundation is seeking a Manager – Program Finance to strengthen financial management, grant governance, and compliance across partner organizations. The role requires deep NGO finance knowledge, budgeting, and the ability to collaborate with program teams and external partners.

The candidate will lead due diligence, grant review, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring governance, risk control, and timely reporting across multiple grants and field locations.

Qualifications

• 7–15 years of relevant NGO finance, grant management, or program finance experience.
• Strong understanding of NGO accounting, bookkeeping, budgeting and governance.
• Statutory compliances (FCRA, Income Tax, CSR-related compliance, etc.)
• Audit coordination and donor reporting.
• Experience engaging with program teams, auditors, finance committees, and partner organizations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct financial due diligence of prospective and existing partner NGOs prior to grant onboarding and renewal process.
• Evaluate adequacy of accounting systems, internal controls, governance structures, and financial management practices of prospective partners.
• Assess compliance status related to Income Tax, FCRA and other applicable statutory registrations.
• Review organizational policies and processes to identify financial, operational, compliance, and governance risks, if any.
• Prepare and present structured due diligence reports for internal review committees and management decision-making.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Travel readiness

Tools

MS Excel

Financial reporting tools

Job description

Manager – Program Finance will play an operational role in strengthening financial management, grant governance, compliances across themes and partner organizations. The role requires a strong understanding of NGO finance, grant operations, compliance, budgeting and institutional processes, combined with the ability to work closely with program teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct financial due diligence of prospective and existing partner NGOs prior to grant onboarding and renewal process.
• Evaluate adequacy of accounting systems, internal controls, governance structures, and financial management practices of prospective partners.
• Assess compliance status related to Income Tax, FCRA and other applicable statutory registrations.
• Review organizational policies and processes to identify financial, operational, compliance, and governance risks, if any.
• Prepare and present structured due diligence reports for internal review committees and management decision-making.

2. Grant Management & Financial Review

• Review annual financial reports, supporting documents and ensure timely fund disbursement to NGO partners as per the agreement timelines.
• Ensure optimal and compliant utilization of grant funds aligned with grant terms as well as organizational requirements.
• Periodically update status and workflow at the grant management portal to reflect accurate information related to active grants.
• Ensure lifecycle management with respect to the financial aspects of assigned grants till closure.

3. Capacity Building & Collaboration

• Support partner organizations in strengthening accounting systems and financial processes by providing ongoing financial handholding and advisory support.
• Work closely with grant leads, core accounts, legal and other relevant internal stakeholders for effective grant operations.
• Facilitate timely responses to finance and compliance-related queries from internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–15 years of relevant experience in NGO finance, grant management, or program finance.
• Strong understanding of:
• NGO accounting and bookkeeping
• Grant budgeting and financial analysis
• Statutory compliances (FCRA, Income Tax, CSR-related compliance, etc.)
• Audit coordination and donor reporting
• Experience working with non-profit organizations, foundations, or development sector institutions.
• Experience engaging with program teams, auditors, finance committees, and partner organizations preferred.
• Strong analytical and financial review capabilities.
• Excellent understanding of budgeting, compliance, and grant operations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to simplify financial concepts for non-finance stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and process orientation.
• Ability to manage multiple grants and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Willingness to extensive travel to field locations and partner organizations as required.

Key Attributes

• Collaborative and solution-oriented approach
• Strong integrity and accountability
• Ability to work independently in dynamic environments
• Commitment to strengthening institutional systems and governance in the social sector