Country Finance and Administration Officer Solidaridad Network Foundation

Country Finance & Administration Officer – Zambia

Position: Country Finance & Administration Officer
Department: Finance
Line Manager: Regional Financial Controller / Country Manager
Location: Lusaka

Job Purpose

The Financial Administrator provides financial and accounting support to operations and administration functions. The ideal candidate should have minimum 5 year’s experience working as a medium to senior level accountant. The main duties will be to process transactions on a computerised accounting software package and supporting the Regional Financial Controller in financial administration.

The candidate must also be familiar will computerised payroll systems and be able to process salaries on said system. This includes being able to load new employees and ensure that all statutory payroll reports are complied with.

Major Responsibilities /Result Areas

Financial administration

• Receive payment requests and prepare payment requisitions, weekly
• Load payments accurately on the online banking system
• Payroll preparation and administration
• Preparation of monthly cashflow requests
• File and maintain all records of financial transactions and bank accounts in accordance with financial policies
• Maintain an assets registers
• Ensure that banking arrangements are adequate to support the operational activities and that all bank transactions conform to agreed procedures and are appropriately documented

Monthly Management Accounts and Financial Reports

• Capture monthly transactions; depreciation and accruals
• Prepare monthly reconciliations for all bank accounts, receivables and payables
• Monthly submission of NAPSA, ZRA and NHIMA returns
• Assist in preparing of AFS for audit and liaising with auditors
• Preparation of monthly management accounts, including variance reports
• Avail project variance reports to project managers on a monthly basis

Programme and Project Finance

• Assist with project budget development and preparation
• Record project expenditure acutely

Employee advance retirements

• Reconcile travel and expense advances monthly

Compliance

• Maintain accounting records and financial controls in accordance with organizational policy and donor requirements
• Support regional/country team in adherence to accounting systems and requirements

Administration

• Procurement of goods and services –  ensure all required pre-approvals are obtained
• Service provider and client contract management
• Head office liaison
• Manage the country administration team

Qualifications:  Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

Minimum qualification and experience required

• A degree or diploma equivalent in accounting
• Experience in data capturing and reporting on a computerised accounting software package
• Experience in processing payroll on a computerised payroll package
• Ability to prepare management accounts up to trial balance
• Debtor and creditor administration
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in financial administration/bookkeeping

Advantageous qualifications and experience

• Professional accounting qualification from ICA, ACCA, CIMA
• Experience working for an audit firm or articles
• Experience working for a donor funded organization

Technical Skills & Abilities:

• Problem solving orientated
• Self-starter and iniative taker
• Proficient in using excel and accounting software
• Understanding of accounting systems and standards
• Understanding the funding environment and funder requirements

Specific Requirements

• Detailed and deadline driven
• Service orientation – providing support to programme/project team members
• Ability to build consensus and work effectively within an international cross-departmental team