Our partner is a women led grassroots charity based in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, in southern India. Established over 30 years ago, the organisation works at a deeply community based level to promote women’s empowerment, social inclusion, health advocacy and community development.
The organisation supports women, children and other marginalised groups through programmes including after school support for children affected by HIV/AIDS, women and children’s empowerment initiatives, childcare provision to enable women’s employment, self help groups, targeted health and advocacy work with transgender women, and residential care for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Following a reduction in funding after the loss of two large projects, the organisation is seeking practical support to strengthen its accounting and financial management systems, improve donor reporting and build stronger foundations for future funding opportunities.
They are seeking a volunteer accountant or finance professional to work closely alongside the Founder, Executive Director and local finance team. Although accounting software has been introduced, much of the organisation’s accounting remains manual and paper based, and financial reports are generally prepared only when requested by donors.
Key areas of support are likely to include:
- Reviewing existing financial controls, systems and processes
- Assessing current use of accounting software and how it could be used more effectively
- Exploring whether automation or improved accounting software could support better accuracy and timeliness
- Reviewing project level and organisational budgets
- Introducing simple monthly management accounts and basic cashflow forecasting tools
- Supporting improvements in donor reporting and audit readiness
- Providing hands on training and mentoring to the finance team
- Helping staff build confidence, skills and ownership of improved systems
This will be a highly practical, grassroots placement focused on strengthening day to day financial management, reporting processes and staff confidence.
The placement would suit a collaborative and adaptable volunteer who is comfortable working closely with a small local team in a supportive and hands on capacity.
Free accommodation can be arranged, either in a guesthouse above the office or at a residential children’s home. The organisation can also provide breakfast and lunch on working days, and arrange airport pick up and drop off from Madurai Airport.
