Project Accountant Job Vacancy: Catholic Relief Services- Zambia Country Program

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need.

Background

CRS is currently seeking applications from qualified Project Accountant candidates for a USAID-funded Scaling Up Nutrition Technical Assistance (SUN TA) contract in Zambia. The maximum amount and duration of the award is $75 million dollars for seven-years (four years, with two optional eighteen month, at the discretion of the donor). This activity is expected to provide multi-sectoral, layered, high-impact technical assistance coupled with targeted, cost effective, evidence-based direct implementation to reduce stunting in targeted districts. The SUN TA activity will be responsible for need-based technical capacity strengthening for National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) and line ministries, at national, provincial and primarily at the district level. This will include capacity building in the development of annual work planning and costing of nutrition priority activities and interventions, mentoring regarding implementation of the activities by the line ministries, progress reporting, advocacy and governance strengthening, learning, and monitoring and evaluation. It will also include direct implementation to address time-sensitive gaps in programming. This activity will work initially in a minimum of 30 districts in Zambia, with the potential to increase the geographic scope in future years.

Position Summary

The Project Accountant will report to the Director Operations/Finance and position will be based in Lusaka. S/he will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the project policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. S/he will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the project financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project lifecycle. The Project Accountant will also be responsible for delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project sub recipients and partners following established standards ensuring setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project accounts in SunSystems financial accounting package;
  Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place;
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare to correct entries and adjustments, as necessary;
• Assess, evaluate and monitor sub-recipient financial management processes in accordance with policy;
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines;
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist project staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources;
• Provide information to project staff, sub-recipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity-building activities; and
• Perform assigned treasury project (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a Full professional qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent)
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and General Accounting Principles
• Knowledge of USAID donor funding regulations (including contracts and grants under contracts) and reporting standards as well as government policies and regulations on financial management and taxation
• Member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), and other accounting information management systems such as Pastel

Personal Skills

• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Travel Required: 30%

Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter and current CV (inclusive three contactable referees) in MS Word format to: [email protected]. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line. Do not at this stage attach copies of your academic qualifications.

The closing date for receiving applications is 28th March 2018. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

RECRUITMENT FOR THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT ON PROJECT AWARD