Accountant

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.

GIZ Office Zambia provides financial and administrative services to GIZ projects and programmes in Zambia as well as other countries in the region. In order to meet the growing needs of its expanding portfolio, GIZ is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position:

Accountant (Lusaka based)

REF: GIZ_OFFACC3

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Financial services

• Ensuring that financial administration functions well in accordance with GIZ rules and regulations
• Effectively coordinating with the staff of the Finance Team at GIZ Head Office and the staff of the finance unit of GIZ Office Zambia and the projects/programmes
• Sending and posting vouchers in WINPACCS and being responsible for the monthly bank reconciliation
• Checking vouchers and receipts submitted by the project/programmes for completeness and allocation to cost units and categories and correcting them where necessary
• Monitoring real accounts (i.e. payables, receivables, etc.) and regularly reporting to the Finance Manager
• Reporting large discrepancies in the journals to the Finance Manager and the Head of Administration and Finance
• Preparing monthly error sheets for all projects/programmes and following up monthly completion reports

General services for GIZ assisted projects/programmes

• Carrying out accounting tasks using WINPACCS accounting software and preparing monthly end-of-period (EOP) accounts and bank reconciliation sheets
• Submitting the EOP accounts from the project accounting, cash books and account balance vouchers (through or from WINPACCS) to the officer responsible for the contract and cooperation and/or the Country Director and forwarding them to GIZ Head Office in accordance with the deadlines

Additional duties and tasks

• Reporting all problems related to financial administration and compliance without delay
• Being responsible for filing and the labelling of files in accordance with GIZ rules and regulations
• Substituting the Accountant during his/her absence
• Providing general support with the tasks of the Head of Administration and Finance
• Performing other duties and tasks at the request of management

Qualifications and requirements:

• Must be a Licentiate member (minimum) of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
• Must be qualified to ACCA Level 2 (minimum) or equivalent

Professional experience

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in accounting or a comparable position

Other knowledge, additional competences

• In depth knowledge of accounting software
• Good working knowledge of ITC technology (i.e. related software, telephone, fax, email, internet, etc.) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality in the handling of data and information
• Fluency in English, both written and oral
• Must be highly adaptable, proactive and have the ability to work to tight deadlines
• Excellent numerical and communication skills
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures to be agreed with management

.