Finance Assistant, Harare, Zimbabwe Vacancy #: 7152 Unit: ESARO - Zimbabwe Corporate Services (ZW) Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Zimbabwe Country Office, Harare, Zimbabwe Reporting to: Senior Grants and Finance Officer , Zimbabwe Work percentage: 100% Grade: A3 Expected start date: 01 March 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months) Closing date: 03 February 2025
BACKGROUND IUCN Zimbabwe is seeking a high caliber Finance Assistant to support the implementation of the regional IKI CBA project and the SADC TFCA project with the budgeting and financial reporting against a portfolio of program grants and contracts, in compliance with both donor and IUCN policies and procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
-The Finance Assistant will support the Senior Grants Finance Officer to ensure the smooth operations of the IKI CBA project and the IUCN SADC TFCA FF Programme and assist in achieving the highest standards of accounting and financial reporting of activities in the programmes.
DUTIES; More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of the Finance Assistant are as follows: Finance: -Grantee financial reporting and audits: -Assist the tracking table for projects reporting deadlines, sending reminders to grantees -Assist with periodic review of financial reports and support grantees in correcting the reported data for processing. -Ensure that financial reports are supported by appropriate supporting documents (e.g. supporting documents for expenditures, time sheets, procurement and deliverables in accordance with donor requirements) -Assist grantees in resolving any queries (e.g. correcting the reported data and submitting any missing documentation) -Check that all expenditure reported is in line with the IUCN and donor guidelines -Assist with follow-up with the grantees on the auditors’ queries -Maintain a file of supporting documents effectively and liaise with the Senior Grants Finance Officer to ensure that the documents are complete -As needed, daily recording of accounting data into the accounting system for all transactions -generated -As needed, and in conjunction with the Senior Grants Finance Officer, ensure high quality financial data is entered into the NAV system by checking compliance with financial management principles and IUCN requirements -Maintain project physical filing system in the office as well as online document filing system -Liaise with the Senior Grants Finance Officer to organize project audits, carry out internal reviews of cost project expenditure, and arrange for the smooth conduct of internal and external audits, including the timely provision of required information. -As needed, assist the project administrator in preparing and processing payments. -Carry out any other financial and administrative duties as assigned by the Senior Grants Finance Officer.
Financial Accounting: -Maintain the tracking table for projects reporting deadlines, sending reminders to grantees -Reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and bank accounts including bank reconciliations -Prepare statutory returns for review and payment e.g. VAT, PAYE etc. -Check travel advances, travel claims and other settlements of advances and process journals in the system -Data entry into the Nav accounting system
Other duties; -Assist in developing the capacity of non-finance staff on IUCN & relevant donor financial management guidelines, policies and procedures as may be required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education; -University degree or Advanced diploma in accounting, finance, or Part CIS, ACCA, CIMA. -High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Work Experience; -Minimum of three years working experience in a similar role in the NGO/development sector. -Experience of working with Enterprise Resource Planning software will be an advantage. Exposure to/ familiarity with Microsoft Dynamic NAV ERP system will be a distinct advantage. -A good understanding of accounting principles and experience in developing, monitoring, and reporting on budgets
Language Requirements: -Fluency in written and spoken English.
Core Competencies; -Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team. -Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. -Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner. -Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional competencies; -Highly motivated and results-oriented individual -Exceptional attention to detail -Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team -Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams -Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments as required and ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. -Commitment to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development. -Strong analytical capabilities and a high level of Morning and attention to detail -Able to travel when required.
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
