CHIEF ACCOUNTANT – SACP 389 views

VACANCY 

 

 

Project Background

 

The Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP) is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Zimbabwe and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), launched in 2021. The project aims to enhance the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers by transforming the small-scale farming sector into a more market-oriented and climate-resilient system.

 

 

Key Objectives and Components

 

1. *Inclusive Value Chain Development*: Organizes smallholder farmers into Agricultural Product Groups (APGs) and clusters to integrate them into profitable value chains. It provides technical assistance, matching grants, and infrastructure support for APGs, rural micro-enterprises, and value chain lead enterprises.
2. *Climate-Product Infrastructure*: Invests in climate-resilient infrastructure, including small-scale irrigation covering 1,780 hectares, rehabilitation of 89 km of feeder roads, and water and sanitation facilities across 100 wards.
3. *Policy and Institutional Support*: Promotes private sector-led transformation through policy reform and access to finance, including a Line of Credit for lead enterprises and PPP promotion.

 

 

Geographical Coverage

 

SACP is implemented in 428 wards in 18 rural districts spread across the five provinces of Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands, and Matabeleland North. The project targets approximately 78,240 households (50% women and 30% youth).

 

 

Objective of the Assignment

 

Reporting directly to the National Project Coordinator with technical responsibility to Chief Director / Director of Finance in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Chief Accountant is a key member of staff in SACP responsible for the overall financial management aspects, implementing financial management policies and strategies in line with IFAD and Government of Zimbabwe requirements and international standards.

 

 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

 

a. Overall responsibility of the financial management function in SACP.
b. Implementation and maintenance of the grant module of the PFMS ensuring that the chart of accounts and reporting system thereof provides information to link between project activities by category, component and funding source.
c. Timely input of budget data into the accounting system and production of monthly and quarterly reports regarding aspects of project financial monitoring, bringing out variances and advising technical specialists to the limits of expenditure.
d. Prepare half-yearly consolidated statements of project accounts as an integral part of the Management Information System to be submitted to the Project Steering Committee, and subsequently to IFAD.
e. Prepare financial statements in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) – Accrual basis with the prerequisite disclosures for non-cash items and liaise with external auditors to audit the SACP accounts to meet the required submission dates by IFAD.
f. Oversee tax matters of the Project, ensuring that tax exemptions and tax refunds for the procurement of goods and services for the Project are secured at the appropriate time.
g. Provide training and guidance to project beneficiaries and implementing partners for WAPB activity preparation, including gender sensitive budging and submissions and participate in the development and implementation of plans, and procedures for budget request submission activities to ensure that project objectives are achieved in accordance with prevailing government practices which are acceptable to IFAD.
h. Calculate the cost of services and associated charges and propose actions to be taken to improve cost-efficiency of services, without affecting quality.
i. Process documentation and follow up on disbursements from the government and IFAD to ensure that releases are not delayed. Ensure that funds for project implementation are disbursed in a timely manner to enable project interventions to be carried out on time.
j. Prepare and submit regular withdrawal applications to IFAD and follow up to ensure that the project does not run short or liquidity.
k. Follow up on all project funds released to implementing entities and technical partners for timely retirement and opportunities.
l. Ensure that statements of expenditure (SOEs) are carefully checked for eligibility with relevant financial agreements.
m. Maintain effective internal control environment for the project by ensuring that:
i. All SACP funds are used in accordance with the conditions of the financing agreements, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the funds were provided;
ii. Counterpart funds have been provided and used in accordance with the conditions of the financing agreements, with due attention to economic and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which they were provided;
iii. Goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the financing agreement and in accordance with government and IFAD’s rules and procedures;
iv. All necessary supporting documents, records and accounts are kept in respect of all project activities, with clear linkages between the books of account and the financial statements presented to the financiers.
v. Designated accounts are maintained in accordance with the provisions of the financing agreement and in accordance with the financing’s rules and procedures;
vi. Provide any support to the Procurement Unit to assist in procurement for the SACP in accordance with procedures laid down by Financing Agreements of IFAD and OFID.
n. Ensure that fixed assets are well accounted for and annual verification is undertaken of the condition of assets and their location.
o. Ensure the effective and efficient operation of administrative aspects of the SACP.
p. Carry out any other activities that are assigned by the Project Coordinator.

 

 

Qualifications and Competences

 

– Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or Finance, and professionally qualified Accountant with Membership of the Zimbabwe Institute of Chartered Accountants.
– Strong managerial skills and demonstrated capacity to manage people and interact with a wide range of private sector partners and Government representatives.
– Strong organisational skills. Versatility, ability to multi task and meet deadlines.
– Excellent organisational and analytical skills.
– Excellent computer skills and well-sensed in the use of Excel, Word and accounting software.
– Good communication skills and ability to interact with a wide range of private sector partners and government representatives.

 

 

Work Experience

 

– At least eight years of relevant work experience, including at least four as a Financial Manager or Accountant in Government/Domor projects or large institutions.
– Knowledge of work planning, budgeting and reporting.
– Preparing withdrawal applications for external funding agencies.
– Audit management experience in donor funded program.

 

 

Mode and Duration of Contract

 

– Full-time, one-year renewable contract based on performance.
– Performance will be assessed annually based on quality of deliverables, compliance outcomes, and timely reporting.
– The incumbent will be based at the NPMU, with field travel to project sites when necessary.

 

–

Job Summary

💼

Job Type

Contract

📍

Location

Zimbabwe

🏷️

Category

Accounting

📅

Closing Date

August 30, 2025