Programme Accountant

Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a vibrant and longstanding organization, established in 1992, and recognized as a flagship institution for community-based education in Zambia. ZOCS empowers communities to deliver quality basic education to 259,691 learners (127,232 girls and 132,259 boys) across 1,385 demonstration Community Schools in 95 districts throughout all ten provinces. Our work is founded on the belief that every child has a right to education.

The pillars on which ZOCS builds its approach are those of enhanced educational opportunities for children through education policy engagement, increased community capacity to provide such opportunities and ensuring more and better education for more children in communities. ZOCS is about open, accessible schools for disadvantaged children and communities, and these take priority over everything else.

ZOCS is inviting applications for the position of Programme Accountant to be based in Lusaka.

Main Purpose for the Position

The role of Programme Accountant involves budgeting, planning, quality control and reporting. and ensuring Effective Financial Management by capturing all accounting transactions and providing monthly reports. The incumbent is also responsible for the recording and capturing of all financial transactions and disbursements to ensure that all funds utilized by the Organisation are accounted for.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Accounting for Prepaid expenses
• Preparation of monthly bank reconciliations for all ZOCS bank accounts and posting journals
• Preparation of monthly audit file
• Preparation and update on a monthly basis Donor report to inform programme implementation and ensure the reports are in accordance to Donor requirements
• Manage the Updated assets register
• Develop budgets for proposals as when there is a proposal being developed
• Preparation of the annual budget and Strategic Plan budget
• Preparation of the management Accounts
• Monitoring responsibilities, inclusive of travel outside duty station on a quarterly basis
• Report on all anomalies whenever noted
• Prepare balance sheet account reconciliations and ensure corrective journal vouchers prepared by the Finance Assistant and take corrective actions to ensure they agree with ZOCS financial, policies and procedures, as per Donor requirements.
• To monitor, control and ensure that all Donor expenses/transactions are according to ZOCS financial policies and procedures, as well as Donor requirements.
• Keep a Calendar of when each Donor report is due for submission and ensure reports are ready for review five (5) days before the submission date
• Ensure both deposit vouchers and journal vouchers are prepared by the Finance Assistant as well as correct journals in readiness for importing into Pastel.
• Review all cash disbursement vouchers for accuracy and Bi weekly import of templates into Pastel.
• Perform other finance and accounting duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications / Professional Experience

Education

• Grade 12 Certificate or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or ACCA Stage 2 or ZICA Stage 2

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years experience in a similar position with a reputable donor funded organisation.
• Strong organizing skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Attention to detail and the capabilities to work well individually and within a team.
• Flexibility and high capacity to adapt to change.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• NGO experience in accounting is essential
• Experience in managing Donor funds and engagement is essential

Core Competencies and Values

1. Communication
2. Working with People
3. Drive for Results
4. Commitment to values, mission and vision of the organisation
5. Integrity in all actions
6. Diversity and Inclusion
7. Policy and Reporting Control
8. Financial Discipline
9. Sound risk management practices

Networks (internal / external)

• Staff (internal)
• Schools (external)
• Donors (external)
• Government (external)