Audit and Accounting Advisor Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.
The upcoming phase of the Programme “Strengthening Good Financial Governance in Zambia (GFG)” is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union (EU), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its objective is to strengthen financial governance in Zambia in terms of transparency, accountability, citizen-orientation and efficiency.

The Technical Advisor ‘Internal Audit and Accounting’ in the joint EU-USAID-German Development Cooperation programme “Good Financial Governance in Zambia” is responsible for the implementation of the assigned outputs and work areas as directed by the Programme Director (PD). He / she provides strategic, organisational and technical advice to the project’s partners and supports them in implementing core reforms related to improving internal auditing and accounting practices. He / she is responsible for the operational and technical planning of the allocated workstreams in close coordination with other technical advisors and the PD in accordance with the project goals and activities agreed with the partners, in particular the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and selected Ministries, Provinces and Agencies.

In this context, GIZ is seeking a suitable candidate to fill the following position:

Audit and Accounting Advisor – (Lusaka based)

REF: GIZ_GFG_AAA

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Supports programme management in the conceptual design and implementation of activities related to strengthening public internal control and audit systems, utilization of relevant audit management software, knowledge management, review of audit manuals and related measures
• Delivers technical and organizational advice and implements targeted training measures in close cooperation with project partners to ensure that the services provided are aligned with the partners’ needs
• Oversees the implementation of activities and workstreams to achieve results according to the log frame/results matrix. This includes identifying bottlenecks in project implementation and recommending adjustments of operational and strategic plans, as well as monitoring of risks, changes and progress in the area of intervention.
• Provides technical inputs for overarching project areas such as reporting, monitoring and evaluation, or contracting processes in the project in close cooperation with the procurement officer.
• Responsible for designing, preparing and implementing workshops, seminars or other events on issues connected with the area of activity, both individually and with other team members.
• Prepares Terms of Reference for short-term experts to support the team in advising programme partners in his/her area of expertise.
• Responsible for networking with consultants, donors, research institutions etc. on a technical level as is necessary to perform the tasks; including technical backstopping for the PD in the representation of the project in regard to other international development partners.
• Cooperating with other GIZ programmes to exploit synergies and avoid overlaps.
• The Technical Advisor also performs other duties and tasks at the request of programme management.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, Economics, and/or Public Administration, Law or other related fields
• Professional accreditation as chartered accountant and/or auditor
• Must be a member of ZICA up to professional membership

Professional experience

• Professional work experience in the public sector in the field of audit and/or accounting with references
• Work experience with IT systems used in accounting and auditing in the public sector

Other knowledge and additional competences:

• Technical advisory competences in the fields of public audit and accounting and public financial management reforms
• In-depth knowledge of systems and practices applied in internal control systems to ensure accountability, both in the Zambian public sector as well as international best practice
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Must be highly adaptable, flexible, proactive, and able to work under pressure
• Must be highly reliable, sensitive to political economy, and act as trusted counterpart and negotiator
• Willingness to work in an intercultural environment

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a fixed term contract.

Application deadline: 13.08.2023

Please understand, that we can only accept and process applications via our E-recruiting system.

Applications should meet the following criteria:

• Cover letter quoting the reference: REF: GIZ_GFG_AAA must be uploaded using font type Arial, size 11. In the first paragraph, please outline your motivation for applying for the position. In the second paragraph, outline your experience in the position.
• CVs must be submitted in PDF not exceeding three (3) pages. Do not indicate your marital status, religion, political affiliation or insert your photo.
• Certificates, qualifications, etc. must not be attached to the application.
• Traceable references of previous engagements must be provided.

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background or age.
GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.