Finance Officer at Orbis International Zambia

Orbis International Zambia works to support the Ministry of Health in providing quality eye care to prevent avoidable blindness through training for eye health staff, support for equipment and medical supplies as well community engagement. The programmes are implemented in Lusaka, Copperbelt and North Western provinces.

JOB SUMMARY:

As a member of the Finance Team, the Finance Officer is responsible for providing financial services in order to ensure effective, efficient and accurate financial and administrative operations for Orbis’s comprehensive eye health project in Lusaka, North Western and Copperbelt Provinces. The Finance Officer must comply with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The position is based in the Orbis Office in Lusaka and may require some domestic travel but no more than 25% of the time.

REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Finance Officer will report to the Senior Finance Manager, based in Lusaka and works collaboratively with the Zambia programme, administrative and finance staff. They also work with the Senior Regional Finance Manager as well as liaise with colleagues at the Orbis headquarters office in New York as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Finance Officer performs the day-to-day processing of financial transactions to ensure that finances are maintained in an effective, up to date and accurate manner.

Effective financial management, reporting, and compliance of resources to support high-quality program implementation for the Country Program:

• Receive and verify invoices and requisitions for goods and services
• Verify that transactions comply with financial policies and procedures
• Timely preparation, verification, and process invoices and coding of all payment documents.
• Timely capturing of transactions in the MIP finance system
• Manage the weekly/monthly payment run and keep supporting documentation
• Maintain the general ledger/spreadsheets indicating performance against approved budgets
• Active participation in the preparation of the budgets
• Maintain and file all transactional records (supporting documentation) in a systematic manner
• Review and verify travel retirements/claims and submit for approval
• Ensure that staff advance accounts are regularly and timely updated
• Maintain a filing system for all financial documents
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all financial and employee files

Assurance

• Promote a high- level control environment
• Actively participate in audit preparation and corrective active
• Support capacity building on policies and procedures for Orbis staff and partner Organisations to ensure compliance
• Perform monthly reconciliation statements
• Reconcile the accounts payable monthly
• Reconcile the accounts receivable monthly
• Prepare and reconcile bank statements

Grant / Fund Reporting

• Involved in producing financial reports for project
• Monthly financial reporting to the Senior Finance and Compliance Manager, including:
• Maintain supporting documentation relating to financial transactions
• Produce monthly financial reports
• Bank reconciliation reports and supporting documents
• Receive and analyse reports from partners and ensure that they comply with the advance issued and supported by the correct documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Grade 12 with 5 ‘O’ levels
• A Member of Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
• Professional accounting qualification and skill such ACCA /CIMA Finalist or Degree in Accounting
• A minimum of 3 years working with an International NGO
• Experience using at least one accounting software
• Experience with grant management/fund accounting, including for statutory donors such as DFID, USAID and Foundations
• Experience preparing financial statements and financial report

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Skilled in, and committed to, community participation/interaction, field visits and presence in project areas
• Strong knowledge of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Proven project management skills, including finance, logistics and procurement management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills with a customer-centered approach and the ability to maintain strong relationships with various stakeholders with different backgrounds.
• Fluency in English language (reading, speaking and writing)
• Excellent spoken and written English language competence is essential
• Excellent organizational & planning skills: ability to effectively multi-task and manage a broad spectrum of responsibilities with the appropriate sense of urgency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Highly functional in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Flexible, pro-active, and open-minded work style: the ability to work productively both independently and in a team-based environment.
• Willingness to travel locally up to 25% of the time

Orbis is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

As a global organization, we welcome qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds and cultures who reflect the five Orbis values of Trust, Caring, Commitment, Accountability, and Excellence.

.