Finance Officer at 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 Good Financial Governance (GFG) Programme 2019-2022 phase focuses on increasing transparency, efficiency, and accountability of public financial governance in Zambia. Its main partner institutions are envisioned to be the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Development Planning, selected line ministries, the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Zambia Public Procurement Authority. The GFG Programme also provides advisory services and capacity development measures in the areas of enhancing revenue mobilisation and supporting the reforms in budget planning, management and execution, as well as the revision of intergovernmental fiscal relations, to its partner institutions.

GIZ is, therefore, seeking to recruit a suitable candidate for the following to provide support in financial administration for the programme:

Finance Officer (Lusaka based)

REF: GIZ_GFG_FO2

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Working with the Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) in providing support to the Programme Coordinator with regards to the financial management of the programme’s commissions
• Managing bank accounts and cash flows and all other financial transfers for the programme
• Ensuring that all payments are in accordance with the overall objectives of GIZ, the GIZ Country Office and the GFG Programme, as well as internal agreements and/or consultations with the direct supervisor
• Ensuring tax withholds and VAT claims within the programme are in accordance with the overall objectives of GIZ, the GIZ Country Office and the programme as well as internal agreements and/or consultations with the direct supervisor
• Providing support on other administration and finance functions when required

Financial administration and support

• Advising the FAM on all issues related to the daily financial management taking into account GIZ’s administrative quality-in line process
• Acting as back-up to the FAM and providing support as needed
• Cooperating and communicating with programme staff in matters regarding financial management
• Providing support in the preparation of the annual budget within the given resource envelope in close cooperation with the FAM and programme management
• Being responsible for cash flow management and monitoring in close cooperation with the FAM and programme management
• Preparing financial reports in line with GIZ regulations and all other cooperating partner requirements, e.g. in the framework of co-financing arrangements
• Supporting the preparation, execution and follow-up on internal controls and external audits conducted by the GIZ Country Office, GIZ Headquarters and/or the external auditing company in cooperation with the FAM
• Supporting the FAM in the preparation, execution and fulfilment of the necessary steps to close the projects by the end of the project phase
• Cooperating and communicating with the administrative and technical staff on matters regarding financial management

Qualifications and requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or in a similar field, or the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Accounting (minimum ACCA Level II); an MBA is an added advantage
• Must have valid membership (minimum Licentiate) of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)

Professional experience:

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in a comparable position
• Experience in accounting and/or finance in the context of international cooperation is desirable
• Broad experience in business administration

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• Good knowledge of international internal auditing standards
• Must have excellent numerical skills
• Must have very good working knowledge of ICT technology (related software, telephone, fax, email, the Internet), computer applications (e.g. MS Office) and experience in using accounting software
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload
• Fluency in English, both written and oral
• Must be able to work to tight deadlines
• Must have strong communication skills and be able to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team

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