The Opportunity

Are you a talented accountant with experience working on international development projects? Are you a natural relationship builder interested in joining a values driven not-for-profit organisation? Then this may be the role for you!

An exciting opportunity is now available for a Project Accountant to join Burnet’s finance team and work across our International Development portfolio. In this important role, you will support Project Managers and oversee the financial systems for several of the Institute’s international programs which aim to improve the lives of vulnerable communities.

As part of your duties, you will:

• In consultation with overseas offices, support and improve accounting systems.
• Develop and implement effective financial reporting tools for Project Managers, to ensure financial information is conveyed in a clear and timely manner.
• Support the Project Managers and overseas finance staff to track and journal project costs, exchange rate management and external donor reporting.
• Update, reconcile and analyse internal project budget versus actual reports on monthly basis and advise Project Managers if any potential issues or risks need to be addressed.
• Support Project Managers and Working Group Heads in preparation of new budget proposals and liaise with Business Development and donors in relation to project budgets and financial reporting requirements.

Refer to the attached position description for full details.

This position is initially for a 2-year period with the possibility of extension. This is a full-time opportunity, however, part-time arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.

Let’s talk about you

We are seeking an experience Project Accountant with a track record of success working on international development projects. Your strong budgeting and financial reporting skills combined with your ability to build and maintain relationships, allow you to work seamlessly alongside Project Managers and communicate financial data to people with diverse areas of expertise. With an analytical mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to prioritise under tight deadlines, you thrive working in a dynamic environment and possess a talent for improving accounting systems. Knowledge of SunSystems and/or Quickbooks software would also be a bonus!

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – improving the health of vulnerable communities around the world.

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• Flexible working arrangements
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation that uniquely links medical research with practical action to achieve better health for disadvantaged communities and help solve devastating global health problems.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Disease Elimination, Behaviours and Health Risks, and Health Security, are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Click below to apply. Please attach a copy of your resume (including the names and contact details of three referees) and a separate document (one-page max) responding to the below questions. A cover letter is not required.

1. Tell us about your success in developing/ improving accounting systems and processes for international development projects?
2. What are your strengths when it comes to working with Project Managers on project budgets, reports and risk assessment?
3. What are the biggest challenges you have faced working on international development projects?
4. Which international donor organisations have you worked with in the past two years?

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or National Police Check.