Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be responsible for providing strategic financial leadership and ensuring the integrity of the Company's financial management, regulatory reporting, capital planning and financial controls. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Company's licensing process with the Bank of Zambia and establishing robust financial governance, accounting systems and internal control frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement the Company's financial strategy.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Manage the Company's capital and liquidity.
• Support sustainable business growth and profitability.
• Advise the CEO and Board on financial performance and strategic decisions.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Oversee statutory reporting requirements.
• Present financial reports to Management and the Board.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Banking and Financial Services Act and applicable Bank of Zambia requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory returns accurately and within prescribed deadlines.
• Support prudential reporting and supervisory examinations.
• Liaise with the Bank of Zambia, Zambia Revenue Authority, external auditors and other regulators.

Risk Management

• Support implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Oversee Expected Credit Loss (ECL) calculations in accordance with IFRS 9.
• Monitor capital adequacy and financial risks.
• Participate in the Management Credit Committee.
• Support development of risk mitigation strategies.

Internal Controls

• Establish and maintain effective financial controls.
• Ensure segregation of duties and sound governance practices.
• Strengthen financial policies and procedures.
• Oversee treasury and cash management.
• Monitor operational efficiency.

Tax and Audit

• Ensure compliance with all tax obligations.
• Coordinate annual external audits.
• Manage relationships with auditors.
• Implement audit recommendations.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead the Finance Department.
• Mentor and develop finance staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or CA Zambia.
• Associate or Fellow membership of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) is mandatory, consistent with the Bank of Zambia's licensing requirements for a Chief Financial Officer.

Experience

• At least 7 years' progressive experience in accounting, finance or financial management.
• Minimum 3 years in a senior management position.
• Experience within banking, microfinance or other regulated financial institutions will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in financial reporting under IFRS.
• Experience working with external auditors and regulators.
• Experience implementing accounting systems and financial controls.

Technical Competencies

• IFRS; IFRS 9 Expected Credit Loss methodology; Financial analysis; Budgeting and forecasting; Corporate governance; Risk management; Treasury management; Tax compliance; Financial modelling; Internal controls; Banking or microfinance operations; Regulatory reporting; Accounting software and ERP systems; Microsoft Excel (Advanced).

Personal Attributes

• High ethical standards and unquestionable integrity.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management abilities.
• Sound commercial judgement.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a regulated environment.
• Commitment to responsible finance and good corporate governance.

Bank of Zambia Fit and Proper Requirements

Applicants should be willing and able to satisfy the Bank of Zambia's fit and proper assessment for senior management, including submission of:

• Certified academic and professional qualifications.
• Detailed curriculum vitae.
• Three professional referees.
• Director's and Officer's Questionnaire.
• Tax clearance certificate.
• Credit reference report.
• Any additional documentation required as part of the licensing process.

Why Join Ulubona Finance?

This is a unique opportunity to become part of the founding executive team of an ambitious financial institution. The successful candidate will play a central role in obtaining regulatory approval, shaping the Company's financial strategy, establishing governance frameworks and contributing to the growth of a responsible microfinance institution committed to expanding access to finance in Zambia.

• Develop and implement the Company's financial strategy.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Manage the Company's capital and liquidity.
• Support sustainable business growth and profitability.
• Advise the CEO and Board on financial performance and strategic decisions.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Oversee statutory reporting requirements.
• Present financial reports to Management and the Board.
• Ensure compliance with the Banking and Financial Services Act and applicable Bank of Zambia requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory returns accurately and within prescribed deadlines.
• Support prudential reporting and supervisory examinations.
• Liaise with the Bank of Zambia, Zambia Revenue Authority, external auditors and other regulators.
• Support implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Oversee Expected Credit Loss (ECL) calculations in accordance with IFRS 9.
• Monitor capital adequacy and financial risks.
• Participate in the Management Credit Committee.
• Support development of risk mitigation strategies.
• Establish and maintain effective financial controls.
• Ensure segregation of duties and sound governance practices.
• Strengthen financial policies and procedures.
• Oversee treasury and cash management.
• Monitor operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all tax obligations.
• Coordinate annual external audits.
• Manage relationships with auditors.
• Implement audit recommendations.
• Build and lead the Finance Department.
• Mentor and develop finance staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity and continuous improvement.

• IFRS
• IFRS 9 Expected Credit Loss methodology
• Financial analysis
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Corporate governance
• Risk management
• Treasury management
• Tax compliance
• Financial modelling
• Internal controls
• Banking or microfinance operations
• Regulatory reporting
• Accounting software and ERP systems
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• High ethical standards and unquestionable integrity
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent leadership and people management abilities
• Sound commercial judgement
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to operate effectively within a regulated environment
• Commitment to responsible finance and good corporate governance

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or CA Zambia.
• Associate or Fellow membership of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) is mandatory, consistent with the Bank of Zambia's licensing requirements for a Chief Financial Officer.