Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, February 09, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Project Accountant
About Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing a number of programmes to support vulnerable communities in Zambian. Recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.
UNICEF
Scaling Up Nutrition II/ Most Critical Days Program 2 (SUN II/MCDP 2) is a multi-sectoral program that aims to tackle malnutrition during the 1,000 most critical days window. The program focuses on households with adolescent girls, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children under 2 years of age and women of reproductive age. Working through National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) and Ministry of Health (MoH), and utilizing existing structures at district, ward, and community levels, the program aims to deliver evidence-based interventions at scale and support the convergence of priority interventions at household level.
UNICEF has entered into a partnership with CRS to support targeted district teams to advance nutrition outcomes and reduce child stunting levels in Zambia. In this partnership, CRS is focusing on providing technical assistance toward SUN II/MCDP2 priorities in support of district implementation in Lundazi and Chipata, supporting updating the Nutrition Support Group model with SUN II/MCDP2 focus and supporting the establishment of SUN II/MCDP2 Nutrition Support Groups in 17 districts.
CRS is looking for applicants to fill in the position of Project Accountant to provide Financial support to the District Team under the Project to be based in Chipata.

Job Summary:
The Project Accountant will provide accounting support with regards to grants management policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the project/grant financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project/grant life cycle.
Note: Depending on the project/grant portfolio (scope and complexity), the Project/Grant Accountant can be assigned responsibility for delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions.

Job Responsibilities:
• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project/grant subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project/grant accounts in insight financial accounting package.
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project/grant staff of due payments/liquidations and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist project/grant staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to project/grant staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Assist prepare cash forecast on a quarterly basis for planning purposes. He/she will attend budget review meetings every month to highlight issues noted and for information sharing.
• Prepare bank reconciliations for the Country Program and the respective ageing reports
• Perform assigned treasury project/grant (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.
• From time to time follow up with Project Admin. Managers and Procurement on project procurements to ensure early payment of vendors.
Scope: (Number of employees supervised or revenues responsible for. If appropriate and available, then include them, otherwise state “Not Applicable”)
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, or a Professional qualification in Accounting (CPA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum of two-three years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing
• Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Personal Skills
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively
Required/Desired Foreign Language
• English
Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)
• 70%
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory:
Internal:
1. Program Managers
All queries related to finance in grant. Quarterly cash forecasting. Monthly Budget review meetings
Monthly
2. Operations Accounting
Review issues related to Staff advances and liquidations. Review other payments raised to verify charged codes and grants.
Daily
3. Compliance Manager
Collaborate on SRFMP schedule of partner monitoring and assessment visits. In collaboration, provide capacity building for partners
Constantly
4. Head of Projects Accounting
Supervisory role/Review work done/Schedule of field visits
Constantly
External:
1. External auditors
Facilitate and participate in external audits.
Intermittent
2. Partners
Capacity building
Intermittent
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
Agency-wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: By applying for this job, you understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, you understand that if you are a successful candidate, you will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and your personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate your behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: crszambiajobs@crs.org. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.
The closing date for applications is 14th February 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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