Sustainable Agriculture Technology

Deadline: 1 February 2021 (5pm)

The organisation

Our parent organisation – Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT) - is a medium-sized local NGO registered and operating as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) in Zimbabwe. The organisation adopts a very practical, hands-on, climate-smart and cost-effective approach to training and supporting communal farmers to improve crop and livestock productivity and to develop and manage commercial value chains for their produce.

In 2013, the organisation added a wildlife & natural resource management component (the Wildlife in Livelihood Development Program, or SAT-WILD) focussed on supporting improved Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) - piloting novel community wildlife conservancies and ecotourism partnerships established as Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCPs) - between Local Authorities, Communities, technical partners, and the Private Sector - around Gonarezhou National Park in the SE Lowveld of Zimbabwe.

With a growing portfolio of donor grants dealing with CBNRM, developing community-based ecotourism enterprise and partnerships, and promoting diversified resilient livelihoods, SAT-WILD is in the process of restructuring to increase our capacity to operate more independently and to better integrate with and support the needs of our local authorities, conservation, and community partners in the SE Lowveld.

The position

General responsibilities: Reporting to the Financial Controller and Chief Operations Officer, the Grants & Finance Manager (GFM) is responsible for the setup and management of the entire accounting system for the Organisation, including budgeting & cash flow projections and revisions; preparation of pre-financing requests and reconciliations to donors; payroll; procurement / expenditure reports & supporting documentation; monthly financial reporting and annual financial reporting to audit level in accordance with specific donor regulations. All administrative, tax and compliance issues are also the responsibility of the GFM. The GFM is to ensure that all monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reconciliations and reports are submitted in timely fashion and that all contractual obligations are met in relation to financial reporting requirements of various donor projects. The GFM will be responsible for ensuring project activities are achieved within agreed budgets and according to the Organisation’s internal controls and policies as well as the relevant donor regulations for different projects.

Sector: NGO – supporting wildlife conservation, community-based-natural resource management, community conservation partnerships & development, renewables, sustainable landscape management.

Duration: 4-year fixed term with view to extend to a full-time permanent position with the right candidate.

Location: Based in Harare, Zimbabwe with a focus on developing community-led conservation & livelihood development around Gonarezhou National Park

Key responsibilities

Develop and maintain the accounting system for the Organisation and to adapt and streamline this to individual projects according to relevant donor guidelines; Oversee and manage the finance and admin human resources of the Organisation; Manage sub-awards and service agreements with project partners, service providers and contractors; Ensure compliance of all systems, procurements, and transactions; Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for donors and organisational reports; Be responsible for the implementation of accounting registration and control procedures; Maintain proper control of the project accounts. This includes but is not limited to the preparation of payments, bank reconciliations, documentary proof for all disbursements, and preparation of pre-financing reconciliation and payment requests to donors; In consultation with CEO, COO and Financial Controller, review and prepare quarterly and annual budgets; Prepare request for withdrawal / transfer of funds with attendant documentation; Prepare on the basis of information transmitted by project managers and partners, all contracts between the projects and contractors. Verify the accuracy of all financial data with the standard norms and record all transactions in the appropriate files; Review and verify all requests for payments from partners and prepare necessary payments; Assist with logistics, procurement, and general administration; Provide backstopping and training to partner staff on financial and administrative issues; Prepare monthly payroll and disperse payments for all staff as well as all taxes and levies. Ensure all invoices, receipts, payslips, and timesheets are up-to-date and copies retained in the appropriate files; Review and make recommendations for upgrading of the Organisation’s internal controls and policies in line with donor requirements and best international accounting standards. Assist in developing and maintaining the Operational Manual; Perform regular internal audits and compliance checks. Verify the accuracy of all financial data according to donor standards and internal systems and ensure all transactions are recorded in the appropriate files; Maintain proper control of project accounts in line with budgets and cash flows; Prepare and manage external audits and ensure their timely and efficient completion & submission of findings; Execute finance & admin related assignments from the CEO, COO, Accountant and Financial Controller; Provide training and capacity building of partners and communities in project administration, accounting, and financial control; Oversee and manage Project cluster/district level accounts clerks, Finance Officers, Procurement & Logistics Officer; Network with Accountant, Financial Controller, M & E Officer, Procurement & Logistics Officer, Team Leader and Technical Coordinator

Qualifications and experience

Relevant degree or diploma in Finance or Accounting; A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in financial management or account administration. Knowledge of USAID and / or EU financial procedures on procurement, accounting and contracting is preferable but not essential; Proficiency in use of MS-Office (Word, Excel, Power-point), Pastel & Belina Payroll software packages is essential; Strong strategic planning, analytical, problem-solving, coordination & communication skills; Exceptional numerical proficiency, strong work ethic, inscrutable integrity, and attention to detail; Candidate must be highly organised with an ability to work under pressure meet multiple deadlines inherent to administration of donor grants; Good oral and written communication skills with confident presentation and facilitation skills, proven record in provision of trainings; Good health status; Strong, traceable references are essential.

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