Finance Officer: Ntengwe for Community Development (Ntengwe)

Deadline: 15 April 2022

Location: Victoria Falls

Reports to: Executive Director

About

Ntengwe for Community Development (Ntengwe) is a Private Voluntary Organization and has been operating in Matabeleland North since 2000. Ntengwe builds partnerships to help advance grassroots women’s empowerment and leadership. We stand with people who are creating loving, just and equitable futures, and advocate for gender equality, economic, social and climate justice in Zimbabwe and the African region.

As carbon emissions continue un-halted worldwide, the effects of global warming are now upon us. The world's poorest communities are the hardest hit, and those in Africa are frequently experiencing extreme weather outside the natural variability of the African climate. Zimbabwe, and in particular Matabeleland North has not been spared from the effects of global warming. According to the meteorological services of Zimbabwe, since 1987 the country has experienced its six warmest years on record, with daily minimum and maximum temperatures having risen by approximately 2°C over the past century. This has seen the country experience extremes of weather over the past two decades. We have had to deal with 10 droughts, decreased freshwater and destroyed biodiversity.

Position summary

The Finance Officer shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of a specific project called: “Community Led Sustainable Livelihood Response (CLSL)” and will be accountable to other senior leaders for risk management in development planning. This is a one-year contract-based position, possibilities of renewal based on individual performance and the availability of resources is possible. The Finance Officer will work directly to the Program theme Sustainable Livelihoods, Climate Change and Environment in Hwange district, in (Change, Chilanga and Nekatambe Wards) funded by Christian Aid Zimbabwe under the Wales and Africa Grant.

About the role

The Finance Officer will perform professional accounting duties. The incumbent will be responsible for maintaining accounting records for the CLSL project, budgetary and/or business management control; exercises central fiscal control activities; prepares, reviews and analyses project accounts and records of financial transactions; and does other related work. The candidate must perform the professional accounting work assigned to them at that level. Strategic Direction: Responsible for strategic direction and leadership during the CLSL 12 months project; Responsible for financial planning in line with Ntengwe’s Safeguarding Policy, coordination of annual budget exercise, set financial performance standards and re-engineer processes within Finance for smooth project operation; Guide / Assist the Executive Director, programs and the administration at the office in Victoria Falls.

Duties and responsibilities

As a member of the project team contribute to: Support development of an organizational culture that reflects our dual mandate values; promotes accountability and high performance; encourages a team culture of learning; creativity and innovation and deliver outstanding results for the most marginalized communities, especially for women and excellent customer service for our members and donors; During the project to develop an effective internal control framework and operationalize such a framework for the project; Act as key business partner in driving performance across “zero tolerance to corruption” helping to meet targets and improving procurement and stock control environment; Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with – Ntengwe staff and funding partner; As the Projects Finance Officer contribute towards overall organizational goals and objectives of the project by participating in strategy formulation, policy development and various business processes design and providing required financial analysis to aid decision making; Maintain strategic links with government of key ministries at local and national, levels, identify opportunities and ensure Ntengwe’s participation in key activities of the national, provincial, and local level government.

Planning and budgeting

Assist the Executive Director in the management / administration of the project resources, including (a) the formulation of project work program and resource allocation, (b) providing effective support and guidance to the Senior Management Team and other key program staff during planning and allocation exercises; (c) monitoring implementation of donor agreements and resource utilization. Highlight variances, provide analyses and recommend resolution or reallocation of resources; Work along with the project staff in developing plans to meet funding and programming needs; Identify and effectively manage financial risks related to delivering the CLSL project, and develop mitigation plans at proposal stage; Ensure correct level of budget authority exists within project implementation; Manage the financial aspects of the annual planning process and ensure the preparation of a quality and timely master budget and forecasts of the project; Ensure that efficient accounting systems, including timely receipt of monthly budget variance analysis by budget holders, timely answers to queries and scheduling tasks and deadlines are in place.

Financial accounting, reporting, and control

Oversee the finance function of the CSLS project, ensuring that planning and budgeting, financial accounting, financial control, national accounting principles, budget monitoring and reporting complies with Ntengwe’s policies and procedures and donors’ rules and regulations; Ensure finance dashboard is well presented in staff meetings with clear recommendations for improvement plans where applicable; Monitor accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to internal and external stakeholders (Donors, government etc); Responsible for making sure effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control over assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities; Ensure Monthly Financial Reviews (MFRs) are prepared, reviewed with ED, and submitted to Funding Partner regularly; Ensure to work closely with Project Officer on request for funds on a timely basis to ensure resources are in place for carrying project activities; Ensure project specific audits are conducted and findings are addressed; and assist ED and other staff during any internal audits; Keeping and updating cash and bank books for the project on a weekly and monthly basis; Ensures that local taxes (ZIMRA, NSSA) are reconciled and paid before due date; Reconcile monthly bank accounts for the project; File all payment vouchers, journals, expenditure documents including project activity sequentially by order; Assist in the requisition checks and ensure project financial management is accurate and effective; Prepare monthly budgets and variance analysis; Take lead in project financial matters debriefing and all updates regarding the CSLS project; Conduct project site visits to ensure the resources are reaching beneficiaries and work closing with the project officer; Participates in all financial and programs monitoring reviews with funding partners; Establish a financial strategy relevant to the project, up-date accounting policies and procedures, aligned with Ntengwe’ s targets; Ensure compliance with the law on financial and organizational development issues; Assists in the preparation and participates in External Audits; Preparing and making payments – whether autonomously or upon instruction by the in cash, or bank transfer; When necessary, running errands to pay suppliers or utilities, and to carry out other finance-related tasks related to the project as assigned by management.

Risk management

Support the ED, and staff in applying a risk management lens to evaluation of growth strategies and opportunities to ensure manageable balance of risk and growth; Adhere to the Ntengwe Risk Management policy and assist with updating the policy as and when is necessary; Identify and effectively manage financial risks related to delivering the CSLS project and develop mitigation plans at proposal stage; Participate in the preparation of monthly Risk Management Register in consultation with staff; Support ED and staff in keeping analysis of the internal and external risks and threats and appropriate mitigation measures up to date.

Accountability: Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Ntengwe’s values; Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved; Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same; Widely shares their personal vision for Ntengwe, engages and motivates others; Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters; Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength; Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions; Willing to take disciplined risks; Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Qualifications and experience

Degree in Finance or Accounting; 3+ years demonstrated professional experience in accounting and finance management and use of accounting software, knowledgeable in Safeguarding and Accountability and Climate Change; Ability to plan and organize a substantial workload that includes complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities in both development and in the complex project development contexts; Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with teams, in the event of approaching deadlines; Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate skills in leading the CSLS project; Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; Analytical, decision making and strategic planning skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities; Excellent knowledge in accounting principles and procedures; Analyze data and draw sound conclusions; Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action, prepare clear, complete, and concise reports; make sound decisions and recommendations in regard to the professional accounting problems in maintaining control of organizational budgets; Desirable: Understand and speak Ndebele, Nambya and Tonga languages.