Background

The NetOne Foundation, as the implementing partner for Intervention 2 of the Smart Africa Markets for All (SAMA) Programme in Zambia, is spearheading a transformative four-year initiative under the Smart Africa Alliance, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme is designed to improve the livelihoods of at least 32,000 young people, 20,000 women in the informal economy through the AISHA programme, and 12,000 ICT-trained youth through the NALA programme, with a strong focus on empowering young women, who represent at least 70% of the beneficiaries.

SAMA seeks to expand access to inclusive digital markets, entrepreneurship opportunities, and dignified employment by strengthening digital skills, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing market access for economically disadvantaged youth. Through the programme, informal traders are equipped with practical digital and business skills to grow and sustain their enterprises, while ICT-trained unemployed youth receive industry-relevant digital training and professional certifications across data science, cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing to increase their employability and participation in the digital economy.

Role Summary

The Finance Officer is expected to maintain accurate and complete financial records, ensure timely processing of financial transactions, perform reconciliations, support financial reporting, monitor budgets and expenditures, and ensure compliance with organisational policies, donor requirements, and statutory regulations. The role requires a high level of integrity, attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to work independently while supporting audits and stakeholder reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and manage the General Ledger (G&L).
• Manage and update cash books on a daily basis.
• Record bank transfers and transactions in the Sage accounting system.
• Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
• Match bank statements with cash book entries and investigate discrepancies.
• Prepare financial reports and account reconciliations.
• Monitor budgets and track expenditures against approved budgets.
• Process and verify payments and ensure adequate supporting documentation.
• Ensure accurate posting of receipts and payments in the accounting system.
• Maintain proper financial records and filing systems (physical and electronic).
• Support internal and external audit processes and provide audit schedules as required.
• Assist in the preparation of donor financial reports and other stakeholder reports.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, donor regulations, and internal controls.
• Any other duties assigned by management within the scope of the role.

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, ZICA Technician, Licentiate or equivalent will be an added advantage.
• 3–5 years relevant finance/accounting experience
• Experience in NGO/donor-funded environment is an added advantage
• Strong experience in G&L systems is required
• Basic knowledge in any accounting system

• Maintain and manage the General Ledger (G&L).
• Manage and update cash books on a daily basis.
• Record bank transfers and transactions in the Sage accounting system.
• Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
• Match bank statements with cash book entries and investigate discrepancies.
• Prepare financial reports and account reconciliations.
• Monitor budgets and track expenditures against approved budgets.
• Process and verify payments and ensure adequate supporting documentation.
• Ensure accurate posting of receipts and payments in the accounting system.
• Maintain proper financial records and filing systems (physical and electronic).
• Support internal and external audit processes and provide audit schedules as required.
• Assist in the preparation of donor financial reports and other stakeholder reports.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, donor regulations, and internal controls.
• Any other duties assigned by management within the scope of the role.

• Strong experience in G&L systems
• Basic knowledge in any accounting system
• High level of integrity
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Ability to work independently

• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, ZICA Technician, Licentiate or equivalent will be an added advantage.