Senior Programme Finance Officer

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

Job summary

A leading charity organization in the UK is seeking a Senior Programme Finance Officer for a short-term contract. You will manage financial oversight for complex humanitarian grants and assist in bid development. The role involves monitoring budgets, supporting audit processes, and ensuring compliance across various country offices. Ideal candidates will possess strong technical skills, a proactive approach, and experience in budget management. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with one day per month in the office. Salary is £39,889 per annum.

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

• 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 funding pipeline and cost recovery.
• Support donor and statutory audits and compliance processes.

Skills

Double-entry bookkeeping and accounting principles

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Complex budget management

Verbal communication skills

Written communication skills

Proactive approach

Job description

practice area: Charity and Public Sector

• 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

• 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.