Program Finance Specialist

PURPOSE STATEMENT

This position serves as a key financial support to program leads at Ayuda, providing helpful data, analysis and guidance to aid in decision-making and strategy.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe:

• In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States.
• In the overall success of our organization and all our programs.
• That families should be healthy and safe from harm.
• That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country.
• That diversity and equality make this country better.

WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL?

Supervisory Responsibility

Direct Reports – None

Core Responsibilities

Under limited supervision, collect and evaluate data from programmatic units or from grants and contracts and prepare recommendations for deliverables including financial plans and/or financial analysis. May provide business leaders with financial forecasts to support short- and long-term decision making.

Perform all duties and responsibilities in compliance with standard operating procedures and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Other duties may be assigned.

Perform the following areas of duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Program Finance Manager:

Budget Preparation and Adjustments

• Create budgets and budget narratives for government and foundation grant and contract proposals in coordination with program staff.
• Prepare and submit government and foundation grant budget adjustments through funder portals.
• Maintain working knowledge of allowable and unallowable expenses for budgets.
• Monitor and analyze grant and contract spending, including generating reports, preparing financial projections, and performing financial analysis of grants and contracts.
• Interpret financial information and analysis to support the program team in grant performance management and decision making.
• Prepare and implement plans to address changes needed to the budgets in partnership with program managers and directors.

Labor Allocations

• Coordinate with the HR team and the program team in the labor allocation process according to grant budgets and staff changes and manage the process of labor allocation in the budgeting software.
• Update Ayuda’s labor allocations according to grant budgets and staff changes.
• Assess whether changes are needed to the allocations document.
• Work in partnership with program directors to address changes as necessary.

Grant Financial Compliance

• Support program directors and managers by interpreting whether expenses are appropriate and allowable within the grant conditions, as well as whether the funds are available within the remaining grant budget.

Training and Support

• Train employees as needed to use budgeting software and provide basic trainings on grant budgeting, interpretation of financial information, and other related financial management topics for grant management.
• Contribute to growing knowledge and understanding of grant financials across the organization.
• Communicate regularly with directors and managerial staff to provide guidance and customer service around grants.

Organization-wide

• Assist with the compilation and drafting of Ayuda’s annual budget in the budgeting software.
• Work in coordination with the HR team to confirm when employees are approved to start billing to specific grants.
• Assist Program Finance Manager and Director of Finance in report generation and financial planning and analysis as related to Ayuda programs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Pursue additional training in grant management requirements/regulations.
• Perform administrative tasks as needed.

This position is hybrid and will include both in-person and remote workdays.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment.
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment.

Qualifications:

The following qualifications are the qualities, experiences, and skills we seek in a candidate. Candidates who don't feel that they meet every single qualification, but who still believe they’d be the right fit for this role, are encouraged to consider applying! We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways -- not just candidates who check all the boxes.

• Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required. Demonstrated knowledge and skills through professional experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.
• Experience with government grants and contracts in the nonprofit sector.
• Experience in working with budgeting and financial applications or software.
• Required Knowledge and Skills:
• Knowledge of applicable principles, concepts, practices, and standards in budgeting and analysis, financial management, and grant and contract compliance and management.
• Demonstrated proficiency in collaboration, facilitation, planning, problem solving, leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with project management with process-improvement mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in use of personal computer, word-processing, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and database administration when applicable.
• Ability to work on a team.

We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:

• Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid
• Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid
• Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid
• Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid
• Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary
• Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave.
• New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break, the last week of the year
• Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships)
• Flexible work schedules

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

This position is exempt for overtime purposes.