Finance Officer

Job description

Position: Finance Officer

Location: Lusaka, Zambia (Hybrid office/home)

Start Date: ASAP

Working hours: 3 days per week – exact pattern to be agreed with Senior Finance Manager

Contract Duration: December 2025 – May 2026

About Cities and Infrastructure for Growth Zambia (CIGZambia)

CIGZambia is a United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded technical assistance programme that supports Zambia’s transition towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient energy sector. Working closely with the Ministry of Energy, ZESCO, ERB, and IDC, CIGZambia provides independent technical advice and institutional support to strengthen energy system planning, implement electricity sector reforms, and mobilise investment aligned with Zambia’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

Our work is structured across two core workstreams:

Energy System Planning through the Centre for Sustainable Energy Modelling (CSEM) – institutionalising long-term energy planning capacity, data systems, and modelling tools.
Open Access Reform and Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) establishment – supporting the Government to design and launch a transparent, investor-friendly market operator that safeguards the public interest.

CIGZambia’s ultimate objective is to help unlock the $11.6 billion in energy sector investments identified in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) by 2030, ensuring universal access to reliable, affordable power while protecting social and climate priorities.

Overview of the Role

The Finance Officer will play a key role in supporting the efficient financial and operational delivery of the CIGZambia programme. Sitting within the Programme Management Unit (PMU), the role will report to the Senior Finance Manager.

The postholder will be responsible for day-to-day financial transactions and coordination of documentation and compliance tasks. The role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and the capacity to manage competing priorities in a dynamic development programme environment.

This is a critical enabling role to ensure effective financial management and smooth functioning of the PMU’s core support functions, thereby contributing to the programme’s strategic objectives in energy sector reform, investment facilitation, and institutional strengthening in Zambia.

Key tasks

Financial reporting:

Prepare Monthly Programme Reports, ensuring that all the transactions are booked, correct and allocated to the correct account codes
Prepare of Bank Reconciliation Statements for the Kwacha, US Dollar and Pound Sterling Accounts
Prepare the Monthly Field Office Expense Report (FOER) and collaborate with Operations Manager to collate data for Monthly Field Office Expense Forecast

Processing data to facilitate payments

Preparation of payment vouchers for payments to vendors and consultants, based on timesheets/invoices and procurement memos.
Reviewing and checking payments made against payment vouchers and supporting documentation

Financial Administration

Calculate the Monthly WAER (Weighted Average Exchange Rate)
Review monthly travel logs from Programme Driver and Operations Manager
Count Petty cash and sign off reconciliations for review by Operations Manager and Finance Manager
Entering all data for the month in SAGE (Uploading data for ZMW, GBP, USD and Petty cash plus preparation of GL accounts reconciliations for these GLs)
Prepare input data for PAYE, NHIMA and NAPSA Returns

Key Skills and Experience

Educational Qualification

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or related field.

Financial Management and Administration

At least 3 years of experience in financial administration, bookkeeping, or accounting
Familiarity with financial reporting, cash flow management, reconciliations, and budget monitoring.
Experience processing invoices, handling petty cash, and maintaining accurate financial records.
Possesses an understanding of FCDO/US GAAP financial management rules and regulations
Ability to maintain and organise filing systems (digital and physical) and manage shared programme documents and tools.

Systems and Software

Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and financial/accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, or similar).
Experience working with shared cloud-based platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive) for team collaboration.
Ability to provide first-line support to the team on basic IT issues before escalating to professional IT support.
Possesses knowledge and experience of using ZRA Online platform

Soft Skills and Attributes

Highly organised with excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Meticulous attention to detail
Proactive, adaptable, and able to take initiative within a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to integrity, confidentiality, and accountability in managing programme resources and information.
Excellent communicator
Quick learner with a problem-solving mentality

Applications:

Please send your CV and 1 page Cover Letter to admin@cigzambia.org
For application to be considered, subject line in the email must be completed as follows: Finance Officer – Candidate Last Name, First Name.
Deadline for Applications: December 15th, 2025
Please note that we will only be accepting applications from candidates who can attend the office in Lusaka – this role cannot be fully remote