Amalima Grants Accountant

Introduction
This Scope of Work provides the details for the role of the Amalima Grants Accountant based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The Grants Accountant will work closely with the Finance Manager and programs team.

This position will play a vital role in the position will provide technical assistance to Partner staff in all aspects of financial management and compliance with Donor regulations and procedures as well as CNFA’s internal policies and procedures. S/he will assist in decision making by providing relevant information on up to date funding balances and forecasts of future needs.

The Grants Accountant is responsible for ensuring Partners under the Amalima project have excellent financial accounting systems able to report on funds from CNFA; undergo accurate and timely financial reporting; are in compliance with local laws, donor/grant regulations, partner and CNFA policies; and conform to other applicable external and/or consortium recommendations or requirements. The position will also provide financial and administrative oversight on Household Asset Vouchers and Matching grants programme activities.

General Program Description
The Amalima program is a $60 million USAID-funded Food for Peace program in Zimbabwe implemented by lead agency CNFA and partners ORAP, IMC, Dabane Water Workshops, Africare, and the Manoff Group. Amalima is a 7-year program, currently in its sixth year of implementation, which serves over 300,000 people in 4 districts in Matabeleland. The program’s goal is to sustainably improve household nutrition and food security through increased resilience and growth, via three strategic objectives:

– SO 1: Household Access to and Availability of Food Improved
– SO 2: Community Resilience to Shocks Improved
– SO 3: Nutrition and Health Among Pregnant and Lactating Women and Boys and Girls Under 2 Improved

Duties and Responsibilities
Review, consolidate and submit expense reports of Amalima project partners; Coordinate partner submission of timely, accurate, well-documented reports to the CNFA; Ensure compliance of partners’ expenditure in line with USG regulations and CNFA policies and procedures and grant agreements; Ensure up to date and accurate records of financial status of CNFA’s local partners including budget spending trends, forecasts, resource balances and be able to respond promptly in the event of urgent information requests; Ensure compliance with donor and agency regulations for Consortium members; Follow up and resolve any issues on any questionable costs in line with donor regulations, CNFA policies and GAAP; Undertake regular site visits to CNFA partner offices and review and process partner financial information; Provide technical assistance in financial management and compliance with USG regulations and procedures; Provide recommended actions to finance and project managers to avoid questioned costs; Ensure the accuracy of cash forecasts, budget proposals and expense reports from Partners; Facilitate and coordinate the closure of expired matching grants in compliance with USG and CNFA policies and procedures; Administer the matching grants approval process as laid out in the matching grants manual; Review matching grants proposals to ensure the business case is clear and financially sound; Review Household Asset Voucher concepts to align them with administrative compliance; Provide financial technical support to both matching grants and household asset vouchers; Undertake partner capacity building through monitoring visits and trainings; Recommends on improvements on accounting and administrative systems for improvements

Requirements
A holder of a relevant business degree preferably in Accounting; A holder of a professional Accounting qualification or studying towards one will be an added advantage; Good understanding of accounting and financial reporting principles and practices; Extensive knowledge of USAID rules and regulations and grant cycles; Proven grant accounting experience in a Non-Governmental Organisation; Ability to manage complex working relationships; Excellent organizing skills; Great attention to detail; Computer proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook; Strong verbal and written communication skills; Ability to transfer knowledge and skills formally and informally to diverse audiences; Strong facilitation and training skills; Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals independent of supervision