Project Manager and Project Accountant

Job description

Self Help Group Project, Zambia

BACKGROUND

Kindernothilfe e.V. (KNH) was founded in 1959 and is one of the largest child rights organisations in Germany. The overall goal of KNH is to contribute to the promotion of the child rights, for children and young people living a life of human dignity, developing personal talents and, together with their families and communities, taking responsibility for their development. Kindernothilfe partners with local non-governmental organisations to implement around 530 projects in 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, reaching out to more than 2.3 million children and young people.

Kindernothilfe’s global head office is located in Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with coordination structures in nearly all partner countries. Projects and programmes are mainly funded through private donations (more than 80% from individual donors and 20% from public and institutional donors such as the German Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ)). Refer to the website for more information concerning KNH:  https://www.kindernothilfe.org

In Zambia, KNH has been working in cooperation with local organizations since 1998. and is currently supporting 20 projects that are implemented by partners, including the Self- Help Group Approach (SHGA) project. The overall goal of the KNH country strategy in Zambia is that Children in the Southern, Central, Lusaka, Eastern and Northern and North Western Provinces of Zambia grow up in an enabling environment where their rights to education, health, protection, survival and development are realised. Apart from other partnership arrangements, KNH is currently supporting 12 Local Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) to implement a Self Help group project, which started in 2007.  KNH has decided to corporate with Ekhaya Limited (Ekhaya) in continuing the SHGA Zambia. This programmatic continuation is based on the “SHG-Manual” of KNH, SHGA-related Guidelines provided by KNH.

The Self Help Group (SHG) Project

The SHG Project uses a rights-based approach which views poverty as the denial of rights and poverty alleviation as a process of reclaiming one’s rights. Given the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, however, the SHG Approach (SHGA) puts equal emphasis on the goals of economic, social and political empowerment. In order to achieve these goals, it offers a framework and guidance for establishing a Community structures led by women, referred to as ‘People’s Institution’ which provide an environment of trust and cooperation in which people come to realise their capability to help themselves to achieve the economic, social and political goals that they themselves define and to ultimately improve the lives of children. The SHGA has a three-tier strategy including Self-Help Groups (SHG), Cluster Level Associations (CLA) and Federations where 10 SHGs form a CLA with clear roles and responsibilities. The Federation is an apex body of the People’s Institution which mainly focusses on advocacy. The intended development cycle for the process to attain the apex takes a minimum of 5 years.

You can find more information on the SHGA framework on the KNH website. The SHGA was introduced to Zambia in 2007 with initial 10 partner organisations. The program is currently working with 8 implementing partners, whose funded phase is up to December 2027.

KNH currently funds SHG programs in 11 African countries. KNH considers the SHGA to be a successful instrument in improving the living conditions of children and their families in a sustainable way. It empowers the most vulnerable women and children within a community to attain adequate sustainable economic and social living conditions as well as participation in governance by facilitating them to develop and unleash their individual potentials in groups and networks. The SHGA tackles the structural causes of poverty by empowering women to increase family income, address social concerns at household and community levels with a special focus on the children’s situation, and give impetus for positive changes in people’s lives and communities from a rights-based perspective.

Ekhaya Limited

Ekhaya Limited (Ekhaya) is a Zambian Registered Consultancy Firm which has been working with KNH to support the Zambia program.  Ekhaya currently Manages the SHG project with an office referred to as National Coordination Office (NCO). This team establishment is designed to consist of a Project Manager, National Coordinator, two Assistant National Coordinators, and an Accountant. These Professional Staff form what is referred to as the National Coordination Office for the Self Hel Group work in Zambia.

The SHG project is implemented through Partner organizations who are independent Local NGOs responsible for direct implementation of the SHGA in their respective geographical areas. The NCO team is responsible for coordinating the SHGA at national level, developing the capacity of the promoting organisations, documenting and sharing the learnings to stakeholders and scaling-up the SHGA program in-country.

Ekhaya now seeks to hire two full time positions as follows:

1) Project Manager

2) Project Accountant

POSITION 1:      PROJECT MANAGER

Location:  Lusaka with minimal travel (less than 25%) to the project areas.

Reports to: Ekhaya Director

Contract: 1 year with great prospects for a longer term one. The current Funding phase is up to 2027.

Ekhaya Limited is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Project Manager who will lead a team of 4 professionals in successful implementation of the Self Help Program (SHG) in Zambia. The Manager must be experienced in project design and planning, collaboration and coordination, and delivery of results within deadlines. Responsible for oversight of team members, The Manager must be skilled in tracking progress, summarizing results, and communicating with other stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

The PM will manage the day-to-day operations of the National Coordination Office in Zambia. A Self-Help Group Approach National Coordinator (NC) and two Assistant National Coordinators (ANC) are assigned to promote, monitor and enrich the SHGA Project and are the focal persons for the SHG Approach within the country. A full time Accountant is also assigned to work on the project. Altogether, this team forms what is referred to as the National Coordination Office (NCO).

Project Management

Oversee implementation of the Self Help Group Project in Zambia by ensuring that the guiding principles of SHGA are followed.
Provide oversight monitoring of the Project within the country and ensure that promoting organizations receive feedback to strengthen the project.
Establish/strengthen the system for Knowledge Management, especially quality documentation and sharing of learnings.
Promote learning and experience sharing that enables Promoting Organizations implement scalable strategies, thereby strengthening the SHG principles and practices for high impact.
Oversee regular forums and trainings to provide input and share experiences on implementation of the SHGA.
Promote the Self Help Group approach among stakeholders, including Civil Society.
Oversee effective working relationships with promoting organizations, and other stakeholders (e.g. Government).
Identify and communicate risks to the project, and manage actions to address them in a timely manner.

Budget and Planning

Ensure Finalization and approval of the annual budget, work plans, and reports in a timely manner.
Develop/strengthen systems for effective partner support.

Human Resources

Manage human and other resources to maximize successful execution of the project.

Qualifications, Skills and Competences

The successful candidate must meet the following:

Minimum Master’s Degree in Development studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Documentation, Project Management and/or other related social sciences.
Has minimum of 7 years’ experience in Management Position in development projects.
Experiential knowledge on development approaches.
Evidence of documentation work done is an advantage.
Demonstrable experience in monitoring, evaluation, documentation and report writing, and co-ordination within the NGO – /development cooperation sector.
Experience in working with rights-based approaches and proven experience in promotion of children rights, with either theoretical or practical background in child protection or similar fields. Commitment to gender equality, equity, and inclusion.
A good team-player, self-driven, pro-active, capable of meeting tight deadlines and able to work under minimum supervision.
Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, Access, Power-point, and other documentation software.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills, strong communicator and networker.

Other Requirements

Works well in a multicultural environment
Good appreciation/track record of working with Civil Society is an advantage.
A valid Driver’s License with at least 5 years’ experience.

POSITION 2: PROJECT ACCOUNTANT, SHG ZAMBIA

Location: Lusaka with minimal travel (less than 30%) to the project areas

Reports to:        Ekhaya Director

The Contract: 1 year with great prospects for a longer term one. The current Funding phase is up to 2027.

About the Role: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Project Accountant to join our team in Lusaka. This role will be responsible for the accurate and timely financial management of our projects, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintain accurate and up-to-date project financial records, including budgets, expenditures, and cash flow.
Prepare and analyse project financial reports, including variance analysis and reconciliations.
Ensure adherence to accounting standards and donor guidelines.
Assist in the development and implementation of project budgets.
Manage project-related financial transactions, including payments and receipts.
Collaborate with project managers and other stakeholders to ensure effective financial management.
Provide financial guidance and support to project teams.
Carry out sub grantee financial assessment, financial compliance training, and regular financial reviews. Monitor grants project spending

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in accountancy/ Full ACCA or Full CA Zambia
Minimum of 5years experience in project accounting or related financial roles.
Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
Experience with project management software and financial systems.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.).
Proficiency working experience with(Pastel) Accounting software
Paid up member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants(ZICA)

Submission of applications and Closing date:

Interested candidates must submit an application letter, a resume/curriculum vitae with three traceable referees, one of whom must be the most recent supervisor, and copies of their qualifications to: lizzie.tigere@kindernothilfe.com; lizzietigere@gmail.com; grace.sithebe@kindernothilfe.com

Closing date for receipt of the applications is 20th May 2025.

While Ekhaya values all candidates, only shortlisted applicants shall be acknowledged and invited for further steps of the interview process. Physical interviews will take place end of May or first week of June 2025.