Organisational Strategy:
Self Help Africa’s Zambia programme works with local communities to help them improve their livelihoods. Our mission is to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches.
Self Help Africa has been working in Zambia for over 35 years and has reached over 250,000 smallholder farmers. Our work has been focused on ending poverty and hunger through community-led and market-based approaches. Our experience working with rural communities and smallholder farmers during this time has honed our expertise in addressing climate change and its impact on food production and the environment.
We collaborate with companies – both large and small - seeking to create jobs, add value, and develop markets. We also seek relationships with international businesses and corporations seeking opportunities to invest, collaborate, and develop markets that contribute to economic growth in Zambia.
Project Background:
DURATION: July 2024 to June 2028
PROJECT REGION IN ZAMBIA: Nationwide, with a focus on urban areas and key economic development corridors.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Self Help Africa in consortium with:
• Imani Development (International) Ltd
• Prospero Zambia Ltd
• Tandem Circular Consulting Ltd
SUMMARY: The European Union’s Green Recycling Enterprises Engaging in New Technology for a Circular Economy in Zambia (GREEN Tech4CE) project is dedicated to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Zambia. Rapid urbanisation, increasing attention to green and circular economy, and the increasing demand for critical raw materials present concrete opportunities towards a more sustainable growth path in Zambia and beyond. The project aims to promote sustainable practices by supporting the creation and growth of start-ups and MSMEs within the green and digital sectors. Through comprehensive technical and financial support, GREEN Tech4CE will drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and facilitate economic diversification. This project operates under the broader Green Economy Promotion and Diversification (GEPD) Programme, which seeks to address Zambia’s economic vulnerabilities and environmental challenges. Together, these initiatives strive to build a resilient and sustainable future for Zambia by integrating green growth strategies and circular economy principles. The project supports the implementation of the Green Growth Strategy launched in March 2024 to generate economic growth that is also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
GREEN Tech4CE will use a combination of ‘technical assistance’ and ‘financial support’ to MSMEs, BDSPs, FSPs/investors, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-providers to increase knowledge, skills, demand, and investment in sustainable, profitable GCD activities. The project will improve the formalisation, competences, and management of MSMEs with growth potential by identifying businesses to support, conducting needs assessment of those businesses, and facilitating development of GCD value chains.
The project will increase access to finance to improve product quality and product diversification in the GCD economy by issuing grants, strengthening capacity of FSPs, and facilitating linkages between MSMEs and FSPs/investors. The project will improve and expand the support services offered to MSMEs by Zambian BDSPs and FSPs by building knowledge on the GCD economy amongst BDSPs and FSPs and by providing grant support to BDSPs and FSPs to enable them to build upon the services and products that they can offer MSMEs.
The project will promote wider public-private sector engagement through networking, and learning/dissemination events. Finally, this project will support innovation and emerging technologies by working with a TVET-provider to establish two FabLabs.
Job Purpose:
The Grants Accountant main area of responsibility relates to the financial oversight of funds disbursed to companies contracted by GREEN Tech4CE. In addition, the role supports the internal project accounting function. The Grants Accountant ensures appropriate checks and balances in accounting, reporting and disbursement of funds. S/He will provide financial management by ensuring accurate and timely recording of financial data, processing of transactions and monitoring company expenditure. This will also include assessing eligibility of costs against contracts and donor guidelines and preparing financial reports. S/He will maintain high standard of accounting and financial control to ensure compliance with EU regulations and SHA financial policies. The Grant Accountant will work closely with grant-aided companies ensuring they prepare quality financial reports and help with the required reconciliations. The Grant Accountant will be main finance contact person for the companies. The Grant Accountant will also ensure that companies comply to all financial regulations as stipulated in the contract agreement and per generally accepted accounting practices. The grant account will also provide training to the grant aided companies accountants.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial and Grant Management
• Verify the accounting records of the SMEs (partners) to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with donor requirements
• Prepare a schedule to be used for posting all SMEs entries on PS Financials (PSF)
• Prepare and update the SMEs disbursement schedule and monthly Anticipated Results
• Review quarterly SME’s financial reports as per the period in the executed contracts, the matching fund commitment, assess the fund request and liaise with the Team Leader and Head of Finance for disbursement of funds
• Assist the programme staff with the development and/or review of the project’s activity budgets
• In liaison with the Team Leader and portfolio managers, reconcile with the SMEs on quarterly basis fund balances and related Key milestones
• Initiate payment processing according to internal policies and procedures
• Compile monthly anticipated results, variances, comments, and actions
• Participate in the review of partner business plans • Carry out internal audits of all partners financial and operations
• Ensure all partners expenditure support documents are filed clearly and consistently against project Salesforce records in Box
Grantee Financial Planning and Budgeting
• In liaison with the Portfolio Managers, Team Leader, finance and other programme staff align and reforecast financial plans with grant agreements;
• Support the process of project budget amendments following instruction for Portfolio Manager
• Assist the programme staff with the development and/or review of the project’s activity budgets
Reporting and Compliance
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of partner reporting formats
• Review grantees consolidated reports on quarterly basis and feedback on any improvements required
• Prepare reports for review by management upon partner expenditure verification visits
• Prepare presentations for internal review meetings
• Compile information for internal and external audits
• Support the expenditure verification exercise, special audits and respond to the audit issues raised, as well as monitor the implementation of the issues raised in the Management Letter
• With guidance from the Finance and Administration Manager, support the SHA Institutional Audit
Project Accounting
• Support for routine financial accounting functions including processing and recording all transactions in line with Self Help Africa policies, EU accounting standards, and compliance to Zambia legislation, ensuring timeliness, efficiency, and completeness; Includes checking the accuracy and validity of documents such as Requisitions, LPOs, CBAs, delivery notes, invoices, contracts, payment vouchers and receipts
• Participate in the various procurement processes
Internal Controls Compliance
• Assist in reviewing internal controls and compliance matters • Carry out periodic checks of internal controls and compliance
• Carry out periodic internal control checks in the country office financial operations
Other Duties
• Prepare monthly work plans and work-updates and share with the Team Leader and Finance and Administration Manager.
• Any other duty that may be assigned from time to time
Key Relationships:
Internal
• Team Leader
• Portfolio Managers and Technical Officers
• Finance Officer and other Project Accountants
• Other Country Finance and Administration staff
• Other country programme staff
• HQ Finance team
External
• Staff from partner organisations both finance and programme staff
• Service providers
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential
· A strong commitment to the aims, objectives and values of the programme in Zambia
· High level of initiative, motivation, commitment and professionalism
· A minimum of 5 years management experience in a similar environment
· The ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands together with proven experience in managing change in complex environments
· Appropriate degree level qualifications, preferably supplemented by relevant post graduate qualifications.
· Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills in English.
· Strong interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills. This should include the ability to instil trust and confidence in partner organisations and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds
· Excellent staff management and personnel skills including a proven ability to develop the capacities of multi-disciplinary professional teams.
· Understands the legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities around information sharing.
· Experience in programme proposal and report writing with a proven ability to secure funding
· Experience in liaising with government officials and a variety of donors
· Ability to properly manage complex financial control and management systems.
· Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques and the ability to critique them.
· Commitment to international and humanitarian NGO codes, standards and practices
Desirable
• Expertise in rural enterprise development – value chains, credit, cooperative/farmer association development, etc
• A strong appreciation of how to use media, lobbying and mass mobilisation.
• A knowledge and experience of working in Zambia
· Able to identify where further support is needed, when to take action, and when to refer to managers, supervisors or other relevant professionals, including referral to available social services.
· ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Self Help Africa's Community Feedback and Response Mechanism (CFRM) and ensure that information about Self Help Africa's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities.
Qualifications / Other Requirements:
· Must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting / finance and should have certified qualification (ZICA CA, ACCA, CIMA,) and preferably, be a member of a recognized professional accounting institute
· Five years practical experience in Financial Accounting, at least three of which should be in grants management.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office, spreadsheet applications and computerized accounting systems
· Demonstrated financial advisory, operational and analytical skills including high level of organisational, problem solving and facilitation skills;
Demonstrated experience in donor fund projects, undertaking risk assessments, internal audits and/or assessing internal controls.
Role Competencies:
· Results-orientated with excellent communication skills, as well as curiosity and initiative
· Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
· Experience working with organisations in partnership arrangements • Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
· Ability to work as part of team across different cultures
· Good analytical skills
· Previous experience of managing USAID, EU and/or other donor funding Carry out these accountabilities within the operating and process frameworks that apply to the whole organisation.
· work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Community Feedback and Response Mechanism (CFRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
· Know about child and adult abuse, harm and neglect in its different forms and the potential impact on children and adults at risk of harm.
Applicants who meet the above qualification should submit their applications with copies of detailed Curriculum Vitae with traceable references as one academic/professional qualifications, and any other relevant documentation in support of the application.
Applications should be submitted using the linkhttps://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/careers-apply/?jbcd=500QD00000uZZVz%20-%20Project%20Accountant%20(93965 not later than 13th May 2026.
Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy, inside and outside of work hours. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa may include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Research shows that women and those from marginalised ethnic groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need!
Self Help Africa strives to be an equal opportunities employer
