Finance and Purchasing Officer

Role Title: Finance and Purchasing  Officer

Salary: £32,089 to £37,602

Location: London or Chard, Somerset 

Tenure: Permanent, Full-time


 

ActionAid UK is a member of the ActionAid Federation, an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. As part of the ActionAid Federation, we work with women and girls, our partners, and dedicated staff in 43 countries to end violence and fight poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.

 

Are you a keen advocate of women and girls’ rights in emergencies? 

Are you ready to use your financial expertise to make a real difference in the world? 


 

As Finance & Procurement Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our financial operations—an integral part of ensuring that every donation and resource is managed responsibly and transparently. Working closely with our dynamic Finance & Procurement team, you’ll maintain high-quality financial records, streamline payment processes, and collaborate with various teams across the organisation. Your role will be pivotal in strengthening the systems that allow ActionAid UK to drive meaningful change and champion our mission.

 

What you’ll do:

• Shape Efficient Finance Systems: Record, process, and reconcile financial transactions (including credit card spending and staff floats) to deliver accurate, timely data that informs critical decision-making.

• Innovate Our Procurement Approach: Support the Procurement Manager by ensuring effective supplier due diligence and robust contract processes—helping us maximize resources to support our life-changing programmes worldwide.

• Collaborate & Communicate: Work with colleagues from different departments to continuously improve our finance and purchasing systems, share best practices, and contribute fresh ideas that elevate our impact.

• Champion Accuracy & Compliance: Manage bank payments, balance sheet reconciliations, and our sales ledger, ensuring that every financial process upholds our commitment to accountability and transparency.

• Support Organisational Learning: Provide training, guidance, and insight on finance procedures to colleagues across ActionAid UK, empowering them with the knowledge they need to excel in their roles.

 

What we’re looking for:

• Part-qualified with an accounting body (AAT, ACCA, or CIMA) and eager to continue learning and growing your expertise.

• Demonstrated experience in data entry, problem-solving, and improving finance processes—ideally in a vibrant, fast-paced environment.

• A solid understanding of double-entry accounting and confidence working with finance systems, spreadsheets, and reconciliations.

• A proactive, collaborative mindset—someone who’s unafraid to suggest new ideas, influence colleagues of varying seniority, and help drive organisational excellence.

• A passion for social justice and alignment with ActionAid UK’s vision, mission, and values, including our dedication to feminist principles and anti-racist, decolonised practices.

 

Why join ActionAid UK?

At ActionAid UK, every role is an opportunity to create lasting change. By sharing your financial and procurement talents with us, you’ll directly support programmes that empower women and girls worldwide. You’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking environment where growth, inclusivity, and innovation are deeply valued—and where your success helps build brighter futures for communities across the globe.

 

If you’re excited about combining your finance expertise with a desire to make the world a fairer place, we’d love to hear from you. Join us at ActionAid UK and be at the forefront of innovative, impactful work that truly matters. Apply today to help us change the world—together.

Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be asked to participate in criminal records checks at the point of offer.
 

Additional information:

 

Diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging:

 

Diversity, inclusion and belonging are key to our organisational culture. We are on a journey to become not only an anti-racist organisation but one that proudly

celebrates the diversity of all applicants and employees. We look forward to you bringing your full self to work, proudly sharing your unique perspective and helping us to shape our combined future. We especially welcome applications from those from under-represented/marginalised communities.

 

AAUK is a disability Confident Committed organisation and as such any candidate that declares a disability will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.

 

Referencing and safeguarding:

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include safeguarding, criminal records and terrorism


 

finance checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

 

ActionAid UK is committed to preventing any form of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse (including child abuse and adult at-risk abuse) and responding robustly when these harms take place. We expect all ActionAid UK staff and ActionAid UK representatives to share this commitment. We will not tolerate our staff or other representatives carrying out any form of sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse towards anyone we come into contact with through our work.

 

Working practices:

ActionAid is committed to supporting flexible working. If you would like to discuss flexible working options, including the possibility of a job share for this role, there will be space to do so during the interview process.

 

ActionAid UK has a hybrid working policy for many of our roles. The requirement will vary from team to team and the responsibilities of individual roles. As a minimum, all colleagues are expected to attend the office 12 days per year, plus additional time for induction, training, and company connection days. Some roles may require in-office attendance on all days and if so, these will clearly be marked as in-office roles.

 

Please note that ActionAid UK does not offer fully remote working options. We encourage you to discuss hybrid working expectations at interview.

 

Recruitment processes:

Please note that ActionAid UK may review, shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date so we encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible.

 

If we receive a very high response, we may close the vacancy early and will not accept further submissions.

 

  
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Job Description

Quick tips before you apply

Please read this carefully before you apply for the role.

Please complete all sections of the application form as honestly and thoroughly as possible, showing how you meet the job description and person specification criteria.

To be considered for this role, you must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Recruitment consultancies/agencies should not approach ActionAid with regards to open vacancies. We regret that agency candidates will not be considered.

Equality, diversity and inclusion at ActionAid

ActionAid UK is absolutely committed to providing equal and inclusive opportunities for everyone regardless of their background.

We value diversity and lived experience, and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people from the LGBTQIA+ community; and for senior positions, applications from women.

We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees and volunteers feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.

If you have any questions or concerns about applying for a role at ActionAid, please contact us.

Gender pay gap at ActionAid UK

The UK Government legislates that
any organisation with over 250 employees needed to publish their gender pay gap.

Even though ActionAid UK has fewer than 250 employees, as an organisation that champions the rights of women and girls we felt that it was important to publish our data. Download our gender pay gap report

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About the job

  • Closing date 4 April 2025
  • Job location Various
  • Salary Up to £37,602
  • Category Permanent - Full Time

Benefits

Work-life balance

  • Flexible working, core hours
  • Generous annual leave
  • Extra 5-day annual holiday purchase
  • Pension contributions
  • Employer-paid life assurance

Travel

  • Interest-free season ticket loans
  • Tax-free Bike2Work scheme

Health

  • Reimbursement for eye tests and glasses
  • Enhanced maternity leave
  • Enhanced paternity leave

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