As the first AfID volunteer to support this partner, the initial task will be to undertake a review of their financial management controls, processes and systems, before making and implementing recommendations to strengthen them. Although they have been running for some time, they have had challenges around building proper financial systems and controls.

They started off as a small organisation, with paper-based records. They now have a hybrid of a paper-based and a computer-based accounting system using Excel spreadsheets. Part of the assessment would be to see how they can transition to a computerised accounting system and whether an accounting software would beneficial, and if so, what might suit based on the complexity (or lack of) in accounting, resources available to them (including electricity and internet connectivity), and skillset of local staff.

Depending on what is decided and the duration of the placement, there might be scope to set up the new accounting system, creating a chart of accounts, and coaching staff in its use.

They would also benefit from support in reviewing their financial management tools – programmes and organisational budgets, management accounting tools, cashflow forecasts. Specifically, they would benefit from understanding how much it costs to run the organisation and all the programmes. At the moment, they receive funding from multiple donors, and they have to manage how they are able to recover the core administrative costs (staff salaries, office running costs). Depending on the outcome of this exercise, they would appreciate the volunteer reviewing donor agreements.