SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER X1
Role Title: Senior Finance Manager
Location: Ndola, Zambia
Travel: Based in Ndola – with approximately 30% travel to any other
location which forms part of the premises of the organisation
or elsewhere as may reasonably be required by the
organisation
Line Manager: Head of Operations, PEAS Zambia
Line Management Duties: Line manages 5 employees
Annual Salary Range: 608,400.00 ZMW to 741,612.00 ZMW
About Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS)
PEAS is transforming education across sub-Saharan Africa. We support over 225,000 young people each year in marginalised communities across Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana, helping them succeed from their first day in school through to secondary graduation. We believe every young person should have access to quality education that equips them with the knowledge and skills to lead fulfilling, successful lives after school. PEAS operates one of the largest school networks in sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on secondary education. Over 20,000 students attend our 38 schools annually. Beyond our own schools, we apply over 16 years of practical experience to support and improve education in more than 300 partner schools, extending our reach to 225,000+ learners every year. Our award-winning programmes are designed and delivered by Africans for Africans. Evidence shows that our students, many from the vulnerable households, make faster learning progress, while our girls grow in confidence and are better prepared for life after school.
Role Summary
The Senior Finance Manager will play a key role in ensuring the effective financial management and sustainability of PEAS Zambia. This position involves overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, school financial support, and audit coordination to ensure PEAS Zambia operates in line with both internal policies and donor requirements. The Senior Finance Manager will lead and support the finance department, coordinate with key stakeholders, and ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial information across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership and management
- Working in partnership with the Head of Operations to ensure the effective financial management and sustainability of PEAS Zambia.
- Championing an organisation-wide ‘value for money’ approach, driving efficiencies and effectiveness both at the schools and country office levels with a strong focus on sustainability.
- Actively living and role modelling PEAS’ values and providing guidance and mentorship to colleagues on how to incorporate values into their work.
- 2. Finance Reporting and Statement Preparation
- Monthly Management Accounts: Prepare monthly management accounts for PEAS Zambia by agreed timelines, ensuring the accuracy of financial data and providing insights into financial performance.
- Variance Analysis: Conduct monthly variance analysis in collaboration with the Head of Operations, providing detailed commentary and justifications for any deviations from the budget.
- Cash Flow Projections: Prepare bi-annual cash flow forecasts to assist in financial planning and decision-making.
- Half-Year Financial Reports: Compile and present half-year income and expenditure reports to ensure effective financial tracking and accountability.
- Year-End Financial Statements: Oversee the preparation of year-end financial reports, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, ensuring they follow local and international accounting standards.
- Audit Preparation: Ensure that all year-end journals and adjustments (e.g., depreciation, WIP capitalization for completed projects) are correctly posted in preparation for the external audit.
- Use of Financial Systems: Support colleagues across PEAS Zambia to effectively use the SmartOps ERP system for financial management, ensuring data is accurate, timely and accessible. Provide training and support, where needed, to build system confidence and capability across the organisation.
3. Finance Planning and Budgeting
- Finance Goal Formulation: Develop financial goals aligned with PEAS Global objectives to drive strategic financial management across Zambia.
- Work Plan Development: Create an individual monthly work plan to ensure the efficient delivery of finance-related tasks.
- Quarterly Performance Reviews: Lead quarterly reviews of finance goals, assessing performance and progress toward meeting objectives.
- Support FOs Goal Setting: Provide guidance to the Finance Officers (FO) in formulating individual goals that support the broader goals of PEAS Zambia.
- Evaluation of FOs Work Plans: Evaluate and support the work plans of Finance Officers in Kasama, Katete and Ndola, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
- Departmental Budgeting Support: Assist PEAS Zambia departments in preparing their budgets in line with organizational guidelines.
- Consolidation of Budgets: Consolidate PEAS Zambia's departmental budgets into a unified organisational budget.
- Budget Queries Management: Respond to any budget-related queries from the Global office before final approval.
- School Budget Review: Ensure that school budgets are in alignment with PEAS Zambia’s policies and financial guidelines.
4. Grant and Fund Management
- Grant Compliance: Understand and ensure compliance with the conditions and requirements of all approved grants before their implementation.
- Fund Account Management: Oversee the preparation and quality assurance of fund accounts for all active projects in Zambia by agreed timelines, ensuring correct allocation of costs to funders and monitoring budget versus actuals to ensure spending is on-track for all grants.
- Proposal Budgeting: Work with the Global team to prepare comprehensive budgets and cost estimates for PEAS Zambia proposals seeking potential funding.
- Unbudgeted Expenditure: Obtain necessary approvals from the Global office for any unbudgeted project expenditures before inclusion in the fund account.
- Project Changes Notification: Communicate any changes in project implementation, timing, or funding to the Global office in a timely manner.
- Payment Plan Coordination: Work closely with the Construction Specialist to align payment schedules with approved funding and project timelines.
5. External Audit and Compliance
- Audit Management: Oversee and manage the external audit process for PEAS Zambia’s central office and schools, ensuring that all audits are conducted efficiently and in compliance with relevant financial regulations. Similarly, participate in the internal audit process at country office and school-level.
- Audit Recommendations: Oversee the implementation of both external and internal audit recommendations at both PEAS Zambia and school-level to ensure continual strengthening and audit points do not repeat between audits.
- Grant-Specific Audits: Manage audits related to specific grants, ensuring that all required documentation is available and audit processes are smoothly executed.
- Audit Support: Provide the external and internal auditors with relevant and accurate financial information needed for a successful audit, ensuring all financial statements are clear and free of misstatements.
- Audit Documentation: Prepare and maintain financial documents in readiness for audits, facilitating a smooth and effective audit process.
6. School Financial Management and Support
- Financial Training: Provide ongoing financial management and financial systems training and support to schools to improve financial oversight and operations at the school level.
- Sustainability Models: Develop and implement various financial models to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of PEAS Zambia schools.
- Fee Collection and Financial Performance: Work with the Country Strategic Team (CST) and School Network team to develop strategies aimed at improving school fee collection and overall financial performance.
- Education For All Fund Management: Ensure the proper management of EFA grants, including preparation of government reports for any funds received.
- Year-End Financial Reports: Assist schools in preparing year-end financial reports in preparation for external audits, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in a senior finance management role, preferably in a non-profit or donor-funded organization.
- A recognized professional accounting qualification is required (e.g., ACCA, CIMA). A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.
- Strong knowledge of Zambian accounting standards and international financial reporting standards.
- Experience in managing budgets, financial reporting, and audits.
- Proven track record of successfully managing grant-funded projects and working with international donors.
- Proven experience with QuickBooks or similar Accounting Package
Key Competencies and Skills:
- Strong financial management skills, with a deep understanding of financial accounting, reporting, and auditing processes.
- Experience in grant management, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
- Proficiency in use of an ERP or other financial software, as well as Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Problem-solving mindset, with the ability to develop practical solutions for complex financial challenges.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the following form
- Senior Finance Manager
uploading your CV as part of the form. The deadline for this application is Friday, 10th April 2026, 17:00hrs, CAT. Any questions or issues, please contact zambia.recruitment@peas.org.uk.
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FINANCE & OPERATIONS OFFICER X1
Role Title: Finance and Operations officer,
Location: Ndola, Zambia
Travel: Based in Ndola – with approximately 30% travel to any other
location which forms part of the premises of the organisation or
elsewhere as may reasonably be required by the organisation
Line Manager: Senior Finance Manager, PEAS Zambia
Annual Salary Range: 268,788.00 ZMW to 417,600.00 ZMW
Purpose and Responsibilities of the Role
The Finance and Operations Officer is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of PEAS Zambia’s financial management systems. The role provides oversight of financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, procurement controls, and statutory compliance, while strengthening internal controls across the Country Office and supported schools.
The FO acts as the primary control point before final review by the Senior Finance & Grants Manager.
Key Responsibilities
A. Financial Reporting & Control
- Review and validate all QuickBooks (QB) postings completed by the Finance & Admin Officer, ensuring:
- Correct cost centre allocation
- Accurate grant coding
- Proper documentation and audit trail
- Oversee month-end close process, ensuring completeness of:
- Payroll journals
- Bank reconciliations
- Accruals and prepayments
- Prepare accurate and timely Monthly Management Accounts for the Country Office, including:
- Budget vs actual analysis
- Variance commentary and investigation
- Cash flow analysis
- Submit reviewed management accounts to the Senior Finance & Grants Manager for consolidation.
- Support preparation of:
- Quarterly and annual financial reports
- Donor financial reports
- Year-end schedules
Accountability: Ensure financial records are complete, compliant, and audit-ready at all times.
B. Budgeting, Planning & Forecasting
- Lead consolidation of school-level budgets, ensuring:
- Standard costing applied
- Correct funder codes
- Efficient resource allocation
- Support mid-year reforecasting and budget revisions.
- Update management account templates with approved budgets for tracking.
- Monitor expenditure trends and proactively flag risks or overspending.
- Support cost allocation between Government Grants, Boarding Fees, and other income streams.
Accountability: Ensure budgets are realistic, well-coded, and actively monitored.
C. Procurement Oversight & Compliance
- Ensure procurement processes comply with PEAS Zambia Procurement Policy.
- Review procurement documentation for completeness and compliance before payment.
- Support procurement planning with School Support teams.
- Coordinate procurement for major school and country office assets.
- Maintain supplier oversight and ensure adherence to agreed terms.
Accountability: Strengthen procurement discipline and reduce financial risk exposure.
D. Payment Processing & Controls
- Review and validate all payment requests against:
- Approved budgets
- Supporting documentation
- Proper authorization
- Prepare payment schedules for review and approval.
- Process approved payments via online banking platform.
- Ensure segregation of duties is maintained.
- Maintain accurate payment tracking and filing systems.
Accountability: Ensure payments are accurate, authorized, and compliant.
E. Payroll & Statutory Compliance
- Oversee payroll processing ensuring:
- Correct employee data
- Accurate statutory deductions
- Proper grant allocation of payroll costs
- Consolidate regional payroll into Country payroll.
- Ensure timely remittance of:
- PAYE
- NAPSA
- NHIMA
- Any other statutory obligations
- Address statutory queries in collaboration with HR.
- Ensure payroll records are audit-ready.
Accountability: Zero statutory penalties; accurate and timely payroll.
F. Audit & Risk Management
- Lead preparation of audit schedules and reconciliations.
- Support implementation of audit recommendations.
- Identify control weaknesses and recommend improvements.
- Maintain an internal control checklist and risk log.
Accountability: Clean audit with minimal management letter findings.
G. Technical Support & Capacity Building
- Provide technical guidance to School Accountants on QB posting and coding.
- Conduct periodic financial trainings for:
- School Leaders
- School Accountants
- Finance & Admin Officer
- Strengthen financial literacy across departments.
Accountability: Improved financial competence across schools.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
- Month-end close completed by 5 working days
- Zero material audit adjustments
- No statutory penalties
- Management accounts submitted on time monthly
- Budget variance within acceptable tolerance
- Improved compliance rate in school financial reviews
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- ACCA / CA Zambia / CIMA ( fully qualified preferred)
- Degree in Accounting or Finance
- Minimum 8 years progressive finance experience
- Experience managing grant-funded projects
- Strong QuickBooks or similar accounting system experience
- Knowledge of Zambian statutory compliance
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strong analytical and reconciliation skills
- High integrity and attention to detail
- Ability to challenge and enforce compliance
- Strong coordination and communication skills
- Planning and organisational ability
Our Commitment
PEAS is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children in our programmes and to maintaining high standards of integrity in all our operations. We promote safe recruitment practices, including thorough background checks and safeguarding training. We operate a zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct or corruption.
PEAS is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Female candidates and those from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the following form
- Finance and Operations officer
uploading your CV as part of the form. The deadline for this application is Friday, 10th April 2026, 17:00hrs, CAT. Any questions or issues, please contact zambia.recruitment@peas.org.uk.
