About Zambia Petrochemical Energy Company Limited

Zambia Petrochemical Energy Company Limited is a refinery manufacture located in Ndola Petrochemical Industrial Park. The project includes refining units, such as atmospheric and vacuum distillation, heavy oil catalytic cracking, gasoline hydro processing, diesel hydro processing, aromatization, hydrogen production, and sulfur recovery, as well as cogeneration facilities, supporting storage and transportation, analytical laboratories, and utility systems for power supply, water supply, wastewater treatment, and fire protection.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Developing, managing, and monitoring annual budgets and financial forecasts (including P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow reports) to align with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Performance Analysis: Analyzing financial data and reports to identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and measure the company's performance against established key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Cost Control: Identifying and implementing cost-saving initiatives and efficiency improvements to maximize profitability without compromising operational effectiveness.

Cash and Capital Management

• Cash Flow Management: Monitoring and controlling the flow of money in and out of the organization to ensure sufficient liquidity for daily operations and to prevent shortfalls.
• Investment & Capital Budgeting: Evaluating potential investment opportunities and major capital expenditures (e.g., equipment purchases, acquisitions) to determine their viability and return on investment (ROI).
• Fundraising: Identifying the best sources of funding (e.g., bank loans, equity financing) and maintaining an optimal balance between debt and equity to manage risk and support growth.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential financial risks (market risks, credit risks, operational risks, etc.) and developing mitigation strategies, such as hedging or insurance, to protect the company from financial loss.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the organization complies with all relevant accounting standards, tax laws, and government regulations to avoid penalties and legal issues.
• Auditing and Controls: Overseeing internal controls and coordinating the annual financial audit process with external auditors to maintain accurate and transparent financial records.

Strategic Decision Support

• Advising Management: Providing financial insights, reports, and recommendations to senior executives to support major business decisions, such as market expansions or pricing strategies.
• Stakeholder Relations: Managing relationships with external parties, including bankers, auditors, and investors, and communicating financial performance clearly and concisely to non-financial stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Supervising and leading the finance and accounting teams, which includes delegating tasks, training staff, and managing performance to ensure efficient operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or professional qualifications.
• Full membership with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) – mandatory.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial management, preferably within a manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, tax laws, and financial regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in accounting software such as Sage, Pastel, or QuickBooks, and ecuenta is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Developing, managing, and monitoring annual budgets and financial forecasts (including P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow reports) to align with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Performance Analysis: Analyzing financial data and reports to identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and measure the company's performance against established key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Cost Control: Identifying and implementing cost-saving initiatives and efficiency improvements to maximize profitability without compromising operational effectiveness.
• Cash Flow Management: Monitoring and controlling the flow of money in and out of the organization to ensure sufficient liquidity for daily operations and to prevent shortfalls.
• Investment & Capital Budgeting: Evaluating potential investment opportunities and major capital expenditures (e.g., equipment purchases, acquisitions) to determine their viability and return on investment (ROI).
• Fundraising: Identifying the best sources of funding (e.g., bank loans, equity financing) and maintaining an optimal balance between debt and equity to manage risk and support growth.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential financial risks (market risks, credit risks, operational risks, etc.) and developing mitigation strategies, such as hedging or insurance, to protect the company from financial loss.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the organization complies with all relevant accounting standards, tax laws, and government regulations to avoid penalties and legal issues.
• Auditing and Controls: Overseeing internal controls and coordinating the annual financial audit process with external auditors to maintain accurate and transparent financial records.
• Advising Management: Providing financial insights, reports, and recommendations to senior executives to support major business decisions, such as market expansions or pricing strategies.
• Stakeholder Relations: Managing relationships with external parties, including bankers, auditors, and investors, and communicating financial performance clearly and concisely to non-financial stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Supervising and leading the finance and accounting teams, which includes delegating tasks, training staff, and managing performance to ensure efficient operations.

• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or professional qualifications.
• Full membership with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) – mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, tax laws, and financial regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in accounting software such as Sage, Pastel, or QuickBooks, and ecuenta is a plus.