Job description

International School of Lusaka invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Finance Manager. Reporting to the Head of School and working closely with senior leadership and the Board Finance & Revenue Committee, the Finance Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across the School’s finance function. This senior management position requires a fully qualified and experienced finance professional with a strong record of financial governance, reporting, control and institutional stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advise the Head of School, senior leadership and the Board Finance & Revenue Committee on financial strategy, performance, risk and sustainability.
2. Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, cash-flow planning, scenario analysis and longer-term financial planning.
3. Prepare accurate and timely management accounts, financial statements, variance analysis and executive-level reports.
4. Lead year-end reporting and external audit processes and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
5. Maintain robust internal controls across income, expenditure, procurement, payroll, banking, assets and financial reporting.
6. Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, taxation requirements and statutory obligations.
7. Oversee tuition billing, receivables, credit control, supplier payments, refunds and other revenue and expenditure processes.
8. Manage treasury, liquidity, banking arrangements, reserves and foreign-currency exposure within approved policy.
9. Oversee payroll controls, statutory deductions and coordination of employee-related financial information with Human Resources.
10. Maintain an accurate fixed-asset register and appropriate controls over acquisition, custody, depreciation, insurance and disposal of assets.
11. Lead, supervise, and develop the finance team, and promote accountability, accuracy, and professional service.
12. Strengthen financial systems, reporting tools, data integrity and process efficiency.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must meet the following essential requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or another directly relevant discipline, together with a completed professional accountancy qualification such as CA Zambia, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional accountancy qualification recognised by ZICA.
2. Current membership with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).
3. At least ten years of progressive post-qualification experience in accounting and financial management.
4. At least five years in a substantive financial leadership role with organisation-wide responsibility for the finance function.
5. Demonstrated experience leading and developing a professional finance team.
6. Substantial experience advising executive leadership and/or a governing board.
7. Proven responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, cash-flow management, annual financial statements and external audit.
8. Strong knowledge of financial controls, taxation, payroll, statutory reporting and applicable accounting standards.
9. Experience managing significant organisational budgets and revenue and expenditure streams.
10. Strong competence in financial systems, advanced spreadsheet analysis and management reporting.
11. Excellent communication skills and the ability to independently produce clear financial commentary and recommendations.

A relevant master’s degree and/or experience within a multicultural environment will be an added advantage.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter of no more than two pages, directly addressing the essential requirements, including the applicant’s professional qualification, total years of post-qualification experience, and total years of substantive finance-management experience. 
2. A detailed CV.
3. Copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications.
4. Evidence of current ZICA membership in good standing.
5. Contact details for three professional referees, including a current or most recent direct supervisor. Referees will only be contacted with the candidate’s prior consent.

All documents must be combined into a single PDF and sent to jobs@isl.sch.zm. 

The deadline for receiving applications is 17:00 CAT on Friday, 21 August 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Safeguarding Notice

At the International School of Lusaka, we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our students. We have a rigorous safeguarding policy in place and adhere to the highest standards of child protection. As part of our recruitment process, we require all applicants for the position to undergo thorough background checks and provide references. Our school is an inclusive and diverse community, and we expect all members of our staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and to act in the best interests of our students. By applying for this position, you acknowledge your willingness to comply with our safeguarding policies and practices. We prioritise creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for all our students.