Country Accountant

Job description

Date: 6 Mar 2025

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Company: Plan International

Organization Background

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.  We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and humanitarian programmes focus primarily on Inclusive Quality Education, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Early Childhood Development and Gender Responsive Child Protection. Child protection is key in all that we do. Plan International Zambia has Programme Areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

Plan International Zambia is seeking to hire a Country Accountant. The purpose of the Country Accountant is to review all requisitions, purchase orders, requests for payments and payment vouchers at Country Office to ensure that supporting documentation is as per Global Operations Manual and other approved local guidelines; record correctly as to account, amount and period all approved cash disbursements, cash receipts and general vouchers; Prepare monthly, quarterly and year-end financial Management reports and submit to Country Finance Manager; and maintain the payroll in accordance with legal requirements. Ensure organization accounting procedures are followed, prepare bi weekly consolidated cash request, supporting Country budgeting process and coordinate month/year end processing. The role reports to the Finance Manager to be based at Country Office, in Lusaka.

The full role profile is on this link: Country Accountant JD.pdf

Do you have what it takes to be successful in this role?

Essential

A minimum of 3 years work related experience in similar role
Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting, Full ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
Membership with ZICA
Financial experience in development sector
Proficiency in financial management software
understanding of statutory accounting principles
Experience handling project finances

Desirable:

Cross-cultural experience, understanding and sensitivity.
Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
Contributes to a collegial team environment.
Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism
Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management
Maintain good inter-team communications and engender good team dynamics
Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work in multi-national, multi-cultural teams
Strong finance relations background and experience working with banks.

Take note that verified qualifications from Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) will be required.

Location: Country Office, Lusaka

Reports to: Finance Manager

Grade:  Hay Level 15

Closing Date: 12 March 2025

Plan International provides equal employment opportunities to qualified and experienced women and men, Women are especially encouraged to apply. 

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.