Senior Accountant – Zambia - USAID Let’s Read Project

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.    

The USAID Let’s Read Project is a 5-year, $48.9 million project in the five target provinces of Eastern, Muchinga, Southern, Northwestern and Western Zambia that works to improve reading outcomes for approximately 1.4 million children attending pre-primary (kindergarten) through to Grade 3 and provide professional development for teachers to support reading interventions in Zambian public and community schools

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Finance & Administration Director, the Senior Accountant is a key member of USAID Let’s Read Project finance team. S/he will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to EDC & USAID financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Senior Accountant will lead the accounting of the Let’s Read Lusaka office, and ensure compliance of all relevant accounting and financial reporting functions and local statutory requirements. S/he will be responsible for recording costs and day to day general accounting, accounts receivables/payables, payroll and assuring all backup documentation is audit ready. The Senior Accountant may perform any other related duties in support and as assigned by the Finance and Administration Director.

Essential Functions, but are not limited to: 

• Posting of all financial data into QuickBooks and participate in monthly and yearly accounts closure of QuickBooks.
• Ensure that all payments adhere to EDC Policies and Procedures manual.
• Prepares and submits monthly reconciliation and all month end reports for review by Finance and Administration Director.
• Monitors and reports on vendor payment schedules and obligations – inclusive of tracking leases for all EDC offices in Zambia
• Review the work of the Accountant using the finance checklists to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with EDC policies and procedures
• Prepare weekly cash needs forecasts for review by Finance and Administration Director and approval by CoP and follow up with HO for  wire transfer.
• Provide first level review of all invoices, advances and reimbursements, cheques,  wire transfer payments and VAT Local Purchase Orders for approval and processing (prepared by the Accountant) ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
• Previews all provincial back up packages received by the main office before they are shipped to HO to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with EDC policies and procedures
• Work with payroll vendor, ensuring leave balances, taxes, NAPSA etc. are accurately recorded, and paid, and escalate to Finance and Administration Director all unresolved matters.
• Ensure the safeguard of cheques and all important office documents such as vehicle licenses, contracts and leases in conjunction with Office and HR Manager.
• Work with Procurement Manager to ensure that invoices are paid in a timely manner, and escalate any delays of vendor payments/other issues to the Finance and Administration Director immediately.
• Maintain and closely monitor accurate cashbooks for all the bank accounts ensuring that the project is liquid all the time, and before payments are released. Forecast weekly payment and submit to Finance and Administration Director to negotiate exchange rate for transfers from Dollar account.
• Ensure adherence to systems and controls, make recommendations for improvements/adjustments.
• Work with the Finance and Administration Director to support expenditure tracking, forecasts.
• Assist Finance and Administration Director in preparing for all internal and external audits and participate in the audit process.
• Prepare reports for monthly journal entries to be performed by Finance and Administration Director.
• Monitors and reviews technical staff level of effort in line with the USAID cost categories to ensure proper time allocation technical staff timesheets.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Finance and Administration Director

Reporting and Organizational Relationships:

This position reports to the Finance and Administration Director. 

The candidate for the position of Accountant shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Administration and holder of full CIMA or ACCA

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 4 to 5 years of accounting experience;
• Experience supporting USAID or other donor-funded projects;  
• Experience working with QuickBooks accounting system or similar product; 
• Experience working with computers, especially MS Word and MS Excel; 
• Detail-oriented and organized; 
• Must be able to work within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure; 
• Ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team in difficult work environment

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of (and proficiency in) Chinyanja, Chitonga, Silozi, Lunda, Luvale, Kiikaonde and Icibemba languages highly preferred.

Job Closing Date: June 14, 2019

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be considered.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.