(Junior) Accounting Specialist Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable, and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

The GIZ Office Zambia provides financial and administrative services to GIZ projects and programmes in Zambia as well as other countries in the region. To meet the growing needs of its expanding portfolio, GIZ is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position:

(Junior) Accounting Specialist (Lusaka based)

REF: JrACS

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Ensuring that financial administration functions are well in accordance with GIZ rules and regulations
• Effectively coordinating with the Finance Team at GIZ Head Office and the Finance Units of GIZ Office Zambia and the GIZ projects
• Providing general support to the tasks of the Head of Administration and Finance

Financial services

• Sending and posting vouchers in the GIZ Accounting Software “WINPACCS” and being responsible for the monthly bank reconciliation for the project journals
• Checking the vouchers and receipts submitted by the projects for completeness and allocation to cost units and categories and correcting these where necessary
• Monitoring real accounts (payables, receivables, etc.) and regularly reporting to the Finance Managers in the projects
• Reporting discrepancies in the journals to the Finance Managers in the project and the Head of Finance
• Preparing monthly error sheets for all projects and following up monthly completion reports

General services for GIZ assisted projects/programmes

• Carrying out accounting tasks using the GIZ WINPACCS accounting software and preparing monthly end-of-period (EOP) accounts and bank reconciliation sheets
• Submitting the EOP accounts from the project accounting, cash books and account balance vouchers (through or from WINPACCS) to the officer responsible for the project and/or the Country Director and forwarding them to GIZ Head Office in accordance with the deadlines

Additional duties and tasks

• Reporting all problems related to financial administration and compliance without delay
• Being responsible for filing and labelling of files in accordance with GIZ rules and regulations
• Substituting other accountants during their absence
• Performing other duties and tasks at the request of management

Qualifications and requirements:

• Minimum of CA 2, ACCA 2 and a member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)

Professional experience

• At least 2 years professional experience in accounting or a comparable position

Other knowledge, additional competences

• In depth knowledge of at least one accounting software
• Good working knowledge of ICT (i.e. related software, telephone, fax, email, internet, etc.) and computer applications.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality in the handling of data and information
• Fluency in English, both written and oral
• Must be highly adaptable, proactive and must have the ability to work on tight deadlines
• Excellent numerical and communication skills
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures to be agreed with management