About Penny Appeal
Penny Appeal is a UK-registered international humanitarian charity. Operating globally, we deliver transformational programmes in food, water, shelter, health, education, and emergency relief. Our work is underpinned by a commitment to financial transparency, strong governance, and accountability to our donors, trustees, and the communities we serve.
Purpose of the Role
This is a broad and important role that sits at the heart of Penny Appeal's finance and governance function. The Finance & Procurement Officer will lead the organisation's procurement activity, and will provide financial due diligence support to the Programmes team. The post holder will also offer flexible cover within the Finance team on accounting tasks, making this a varied and high-impact position.
It is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified or experienced finance professional who enjoys working across organisational boundaries.
Key Responsibilities
1. Procurement
- Maintain and develop Penny Appeal's Procurement Policy, ensuring it remains fit for purpose and compliant with Charity Commission guidance.
- Own and manage the organisation's supplier register, including periodic review and renewal.
- Lead formal tendering and competitive quotation processes for expenditure above defined thresholds.
- Support budget holders and managers across the organisation in making compliant, value-for-money purchasing decisions.
- Ensure ethical sourcing practices are embedded in procurement decision-making, aligned with Penny Appeal's values.
- Maintain documentation of procurement activity to support audit and regulatory requirements.
- Provide periodic reporting to the Director of Finance on procurement compliance and spend analysis.
2. Programmes Financial Due Diligence
- Assess the financial health and capacity of programme delivery partners, implementing partners, and grantees.
- Review partner budgets, financial reports, and supporting documentation as part of the due diligence process.
- Support the development and maintenance of due diligence frameworks and templates for the Programmes team.
- Assist in the financial monitoring of active programme partnerships, identifying variances or concerns.
3. Finance Operations Cover
- Support the Finance team during periods of absence or peak demand, including month-end close, journal posting, and reconciliations.
- Assist with the preparation of management accounts.
- Support the Finance team with ad hoc tasks and projects as required.
Person Specification
Essential
- Part-qualified or qualified accountant (AAT, CIMA, or ACCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience in a finance or procurement role.
- Experience in procurement, purchasing, or finance operations, preferably within the charity, public, or regulated sector.
- Good understanding of procurement governance and value-for-money principles.
- Ability to assess financial information and produce clear, concise reports and recommendations.
- Strong IT skills including Excel; experience of finance Sage Intact.
- Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across teams and communicate financial matters to non-finance colleagues.
Desirable
- Experience working in a charity or not-for-profit environment.
- Experience with Sage Intacct.
- CIPS qualification or part-qualification.
- Experience of financial due diligence on third-party organisations or grant recipients.
Values & Behaviours
Penny Appeal is a values-driven organisation. All staff are expected to demonstrate the following:
- Commitment to Penny Appeal's mission and the communities we serve.
- A collaborative and team-oriented approach to work.
- Integrity and transparency in all financial and professional dealings.
- Respect for diversity and inclusion across colleagues, partners, and beneficiaries.
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a willingness to take ownership.
Pay: £33,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
