Senior Accountant at the Ministry of Finance

The Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU) of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) undertakes functions required of the Principal Recipient (PR) of Grants received from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The PR manages TB and HIV grant.
Given the density of work that needs to be conducted among PR, SRs and Service Providers and Consultants involved in grant implementation, the MOF/GFCU seeks the services of the Senior Accountant to ensure efficient services are offered to the PR, SR, Service Providers and Consultants to ensure smooth grant implementation.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the Senior Accountant position is to support the Finance Manager in ensuring prudent and efficient financial management, maintaining an efficient financial management system and accurate financial records.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Accounting

Maintain proper and accurate financial records for all the grants and any other funds provided for GFCU operations and programme support.
Ensure all financial transactions comply with existing GFCU and GOL policies and procedures and professional accounting standards.
Ensure that all payments are made in accordance with the approved budgeted amounts as per GFCU Grant Agreement.
Ensure that all payment vouchers are supported with appropriately documentation, duly authorized for payment. Such documentation should be properly filed to facilitate easy retrieval and referencing.
Maintain bank accounts at adequate level to enable scheduled payment to be made without delay and undertake cash flow projections.
Maintain and update financial records including cashbooks, vote-books and grants disbursements from Global Fund.
Prepare monthly and quarterly bank reconciliations, for vote books, cashbooks and draw books.
Liaison with Procurement Unit of the MOH and NDSO on issues concerning payment of the accounts which are due, taking cognizant of value for money considerations and resolutions of any disputes that may arise.
Monitor, supervise and provide support to the Sub Recipients with bookkeeping and financial reporting as required by the SR grant agreement.
Facilitate both internal and external audits by providing logistics and financial documents for the audit review.
Undertake verification of financial information with sub recipients.

Financial Management

Follow up the SRs, service providers and District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) for submission of the financial reports on a monthly and quarterly basis on or before the due date.
Ensures that the monthly reports from the SRs, service providers, DHMTs provide all the required information per the prescribed template, including explanations on reasons for variance.
Provide monthly expenditure reports for SRs expenses paid at the PR level.
On site verification of the SRs, service providers and DHMTs expenditure reports and prepare a verification report to be reviewed by the supervisor.
Communicate the findings and recommendations to the SRs, service providers and DHMTs (de-briefing).
Draft management letters to the SRs, service providers and DHMTs and follow up unresolved management letter issues.
Follow up the SRs to respond on issues raised in the management letters
Identify SRs Financial Internal Controls inefficiencies and advice accordingly.
Prepares the data bases of employees who are supported with the salaries under the grant and updated on a monthly basis
Training of SRs on financial management
Mentoring of SRs on financial management

Financial reporting

The Senior Accountant will support the Finance Manager in undertaking the following activities –

Preparation of monthly financial progress reports and SR management letters.
Preparation and submission of semi-annual PUDR financial reports.
Facilitating the receipt and review SR financial quarterly reports.
Preparation of annual financial progress reports.
Facilitating the SR reporting on grants utilisation.
Preparation of annual audit reports (PR and SR)
Completion and submission of Annual Financial Report (AFR) to TGF

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Accounting or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Postgraduate degree will be an added advantage.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience during which the candidate has proven capabilities in financial management or accounts administration or equivalent from a recognized organization.
Experience in working with international organizations and excellent knowledge of Donor Funded Projects will be an added advantage.
Good communication and social skills;
Computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, power point)
Basic knowledge of financial management, regulations and procedures as well as procurement under donor supported projects
Knowledge of FINPRO/TOMPRO will be an added advantage

Knowledge and Skills

Ability to examine documents for accuracy and completeness.
Skill in computer applications.
Ability to understand and interpret policies and regulations.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Fluency in oral and written English.

How to apply

Applications should be delivered by original signed copy and clearly marked application for the position of Senior Accountant. Interested persons should forward their applications, curriculum vitae and certified copies of educational certificates on or before 14th December 2016 at 12.00:
The National Coordinator, Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU), 4th Floor, Matekane Group of Company (MGC) Office Park, Corner Pope John Paul II and Mpilo Boulevard, For our organization background visit www.gfcu.org.ls . For clarification call 22324023. Only short listed candidates will be responded to.