Introduction

WaterAid’s vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the world’s poorest communities. WaterAid works with partners to maximise its impacts for policy change/influence.

WaterAid has been operating in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2004, working with local partners and the government to increase access to gender sensitive, socially inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. WaterAid PNG’s geographic focus is within the National Capital District, Central Province in the Southern Region, East Sepik Province in the Momase region and East New Britain Province in the New Guinea Islands. We work nationally through a system strengthening approach with the Government of PNG, guided by the National WASH Policy (2015-2030).

Everything we do is shaped by our six values:

• Integrity
• Respect
• Collaboration
• Courage
• Accountability
• Innovation

WaterAid is a child safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations, and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct. All positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct.

Purpose of the Role

The Grants Accountant and Compliance Coordinator supports the Operations and Programs teams by coordinating the financial and compliance aspects of donor-funded grant agreements.

The role focuses on grant-level financial tracking, compliance oversight, donor requirements (including GIZ and AFD), procurement compliance, and budget monitoring, while working under the technical leadership of the Senior Grants Accountant. The position plays a key capacity-building role by leading training and induction for staff and partners on grant compliance, donor rules, and financial procedures.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for ensuring that donor-funded grants are implemented in line with approved budgets, contractual obligations, and WaterAid policies. The Grants Accountant and Compliance Coordinator acts as a focal point for grant compliance, providing hands-on support to program teams on budgeting, procurement processes, and financial reporting requirements.

The role works closely with the Senior Grants Accountant to support accurate accounting, reporting, audits, and risk management, and contributes to strengthening organisational grant management systems.

The role works closely with program teams, finance colleagues, and senior management to ensure grants are implemented efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with contractual obligations.

About the Grants

The Grant Accountant and Compliance Coordinator will provide support across two key grants:

Funded by GIZ, the Protecting Freshwater Resources in the Pacific (PacFresh H2O) Project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of rural communities in Rabaul and Pomio districts by improving access to safe, reliable water and sanitation, protecting freshwater resources, and advancing gender equality and social inclusion. Through a system-strengthening approach, the project builds the skills of local decision-makers and community groups, improves coordination and planning, implements priority measures to address water insecurity, and supports the scale-up of climate-resilient WASH approaches through stronger policy integration, learning and financing. The project ensures that women, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups benefit from more resilient WASH services and improved livelihoods.

Funded by AFD, the Kiwa Initiative Preserve Project aims to strengthens climate resilience in vulnerable rural and coastal communities by protecting and restoring freshwater and watershed ecosystems through nature-based solutions. The project seeks to improve reliable access to safe water, reduce climate-related risks such as droughts, flooding and contamination, and promote community-led resource management that embeds gender equality, disability inclusion and local knowledge. By building the capacity of government partners, community groups and rights-holder organisations, the project embeds sustainable ecosystem management practices and supports more resilient and secure livelihoods in the face of increasing climate impacts.

Key Performance Areas/Accountabilities

1. Grant Financial Management

• Support financial management of donor-funded grants, ensuring expenditures are tracked accurately against approved budgets.
• Assist with grant budget development, conversions, reforecasting, and updates in collaboration with program teams and the Senior Grants Accountant.
• Monitor grant expenditure and identify variances, risks, and compliance issues, escalating as required.
• Support the preparation of monthly and quarterly grant financial reports.
• Verify all project expenditures to ensure the budget codes and account codes are selected correctly and that all required supporting documents are complete such as request form, AT check, tax invoice and any additional documents required by donors.
• Support quarterly project expenditure transactions review to ensure that all project expenditure is correctly coded.
• Support monthly and quarterly cost recovery process for the projects in accordance with staff timesheets, payroll, and payslips, ensuring the appropriate approval process is followed.
• Support in maintaining organised digital and physical filing systems for financial and procurement records and all documents both digital and physical will be available when needed.

2. Donor Compliance and Reporting

• Coordinate grant compliance processes to ensure adherence to donor agreements, financial guidelines, and WaterAid policies.
• Support preparation of donor financial reports, working closely with the Senior Grants Accountant and Operations Manager.
• Maintain organised grant documentation and internal filing systems to support reporting and audits.
• Support internal and external audits related to grant-funded programs and assist with implementation of audit findings.

3. Procurement Compliance and Support

• Act as a focal person for program teams on donor-compliant procurement processes, particularly GIZ and AFD requirements.
• Review procurement documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance prior to submission or approval.
• Provide guidance to program staff on procurement planning, thresholds, and documentation
• Maintain general suppliers, preferred suppliers and consultants/ contractor registers

4. Capacity building and Training

• Lead regular training and induction sessions for staff and partners on donor requirements, grant compliance, and financial procedures (including GIZ and AFD compliance).
• Support budget holders and program staff to understand budgets, expenditure tracking, and financial reports.
• Develop and maintain practical tools, checklists, and guidance materials to support compliance and financial management.

5. Systems, Coordination and Advisory Support

• Work with the Senior Grants Accountant and Finance and Operations Coordinator to support effective use of financial systems (including SunSystems and WAPS).
• Contribute to strengthening internal controls and grant management processes.
• Provide day-to-day advisory support to program teams on grant finance and compliance matters.
• Support risk management related to financial mismanagement and fraud by identifying and escalating concerns.

Key Relationships

• Senior Grants Accountant
• Operations Manager and Finance Team
• Program Managers and Program Teams
• WaterAid PNG Leadership Team
• Donors, Auditors, and Implementing Partners
• WaterAid Regional and Australia-based Teams

Physical Environment and Demands

Moderate travel requirements within East New Britain and occasional travel to Port Moresby.

Qualification, Skills & Attributes (Key Capabilities/Selection Criteria)

All applicants must address these criteria in their application:

Applications for this role must comprise of:

• An application letter addressing the essential person specification criteria outlined above (maximum 2 pages).
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 4 pages). The CV must include three professional referees (referees will not be contacted until after interviews, with permission from the candidate).

Applications which do not address the Selection Criteria specified and the page limits will NOT be considered.

Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted.

WaterAid is committed to welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, culture and experience. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We will make any practical adjustments to enable people with a disability to participate fully in an inclusive working environment. Please let us know if require any special assistance in making your application or attending an interview.

Email applications to: [email protected] with the subject line: “Application Grant Accountant and Compliance Coordinator”.

The closing date is 6th February 2026.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: WaterAid is a child safe organization. The successful applicant will be required to comply with our child protection policy.