Zambia Finance Manager

Job description

Location: Lusaka, with regular travel to existing plants and project sites, mainly in North Western province

Are you interested in applying your accounting and finance experience towards creating sustainable solutions to sub-Saharan Africa’s energy access challenges in a fast growing company/regional group?

Do you want to be part of an innovative business model to build and operate renewable energy projects that will bring electricity to millions of Zambians in rural communities across the region?

About Anzana Electric Group

 Anzana Electric Group is a renewable energy company focused on creating a new model for the generation and distribution of power in rural sub-Saharan Africa. We invest in, develop, own, and operate renewable energy generation projects of up to 20 MW and regional electricity distribution projects across East and Southern Africa. We are developing and implementing private utility solutions for countries and communities across sub-Saharan Africa to increase energy access and electrification rates through sustainable financing structures. Headquartered in Mauritius, Anzana Electric Group operates and develops projects in Burundi, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.

About the Role

Anzana Electric Zambia Limited is hiring a highly skilled and detail-oriented Finance Manager for its Zambian assets portfolio.The portfolio includes an operating hydro power plant undergoing expansion as well as 30+MW of other hydro generation projects in development and a planned large new distribution company .The successful candidate will bring strong technical accounting and financial planning skills, a proactive mindset, and a passion for renewable energy and impact-driven work in sub-Saharan Africa. The successful candidate will possess strong numeracy, attention to detail, organizational skills and possess high standards of professionalism and integrity.  This role combines strategic finance leadership with a hands-on approach during the ongoing teambuilding and training phase. The Finance Manager will guide and develop junior team members and initially take ownership of certain operational tasks to ensure high standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Working closely with Zambian Project Managers and Country head, and reporting to Anzana’s Group Finance Manager in Mauritius, the Zambia Finance Manager will be entrusted with the following duties and responsibilities, across the Zambia portfolio companies:

Governance & Documentation

Develop and maintain a manual of procedures and internal controls.
Test and ensure the effectiveness of internal controls.
Document existing finance policies and controls for audit and investor readiness.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Oversee and manage the finance staff in Zambia.
Train all Zambia staff in internal procedures and controls.

Accounting & Reporting

Develop and manage a finance reporting dashboard.
 Prepare monthly management accounts as well as annual financial statements.
Support the Project team with ad hoc administrative and reporting tasks.
Oversee  bookkeeping and data entry of the Zambian entities in line with IFRS.

-Record daily invoices for suppliers and customers;

-Post daily journal entries for accruals, prepayment and payroll;

-Perform weekly cash reconciliations;

-Process and reconcile weekly intercompany transactions;

-Update general ledger accounts;

Maintain accuracy of accounting records;
Perform monthly accounts closing and reconciliations.
Prepare customer invoices ensuring compliance with the smart invoicing system.
Track customers payments and follow up on overdue balances.
Maintain proper filing of accounting records.
Review suppliers’ invoices by verifying approvals, tax compliance and accuracy of invoice details.
Review and post employee expense claims, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Lead the external audits.

 Treasury management

 Develop and manage annual and monthly budget
Prepare weekly cash forecast.
Set up payments online.

Tax compliance

Ensure accurate and timely filing of all taxes and contributions on a monthly basis, as well as annual returns.
Prepare necessary paperwork for tax declarations and payments.
Support the project in the tax exoneration process.
 Facilitate communication with the administrations.
Keep up to date with regulatory environment.
Collect financial and power generation KPI feeds for ERB (regulator) reports.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. ACCA or Chartered Accountant qualified.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting and FP&A roles.
Experience working in a multi-entity group, ideally across African markets.
Experience in the in renewable energy, international development, and/ or mining industries will be beneficial.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Essential) and using ERPs (specifically Odoo is preferrable ).
Knowledgeable about Zambian tax compliance requirements.
Knowledgeable about Zambian tax incentives and treatment in capital intensive sectors will be beneficial.

Competencies:

Strong data analytical skills including excel.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Effective organizational skills, management of priorities and multitasking.
Commitment to professionalism and high standards of integrity and ethics.
Ability to work independently in different locations with minimal instruction.
Ability to work remotely – from line manager- and from juniors in portfolio companies

Other:

Experience working with a Big 4 or multinationals in renewable energy or mining in Africa.
Fluency in English is required.
Willingness to take initiative on proactive problem solving.

Remuneration

Competitive remuneration in line with experience. 

Method of Application

If you are interested and feel that you meet the criteria outlined above, please send a copy of your current CV and cover letter summarising relevant experience for this role to zambia-finance-manager@anzana.odoo.com with the subject “Zambia Finance Manager”.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.