Finance and Operations Manager – Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe (BIZ)

Deadline: 7 July 2022

Part-time (50%)
Location: BIZ Main Office, Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe

About Bio Innovation Zimbabwe
Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe (BIZ) is a non-profit organization. Our overall mission is to create wealth amongst rural producers, promote conservation of natural resources at a landscape level, and provide consumers both in Zimbabwe and external markets with high-quality products through the commercialization of underutilized species that are resilient to the effects of climate change. Our specialization is in the commercial development of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and we have a track record going back to 2010 in this field.

Project overview
The Resilience ANCHORS project, financed by USAID and managed by ECODIT, focuses on improving and strengthening the resilience capacities of communities in the Southeast Lowveld of Zimbabwe. The overarching purpose of the Resilience ANCHORS project is to increase the capacity of communities to sustainably protect and manage community-based natural resources and the wildlife economy in anticipation of future shocks and stresses. One of the most significant opportunities around natural resources derives from the commercial potential of NTFPs. BIZ will be implementing a series of NTFP value chain and market linkages activities, in Hwange and Binga districts. Successful implementation of these activities will directly contribute to livelihood diversification and increased economic benefits from natural resources for the target communities.

Job summary
BIZ seeks a Finance Manager to ensure sound financial management and efficient operational support of its interventions in Hwange and Binga districts under the USAID-funded and ECODIT-managed Resilience ANCHORS project. Based in Harare, the Finance Manager will work with the Finance, HR and Administration Assistant and be responsible for the project’s overall financial and administrative management.

Primary functions & responsibilities
Lead financial management and operations support, including oversight of human resources, procurement, and compliance with BIZ and donor policies and procedures, ensure finance and administrative functions support the timely and effective implementation of BIZ’s activities in Hwange and Binga; Supervise and mentor the HR, Admin & Finance Assistant; Provide overall coordination and quality monitoring of the project’s finances, oversee program budgets to ensure spending rates are on target; Work closely with the Project Manager to ensure that program work plans and financial programs are in sync, share spending analyses and trends with program team members to help synchronize program and financial decision-making processes; Support Project Manager and technical staff in annual work plan development, lead costing of program activities; Review all cash receipts to ensure that expenses are recognized in accordance with policies and that program budgets have been created in the financial system to track expenditure of the funds received; Ensure that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures; Produce financial reports for internal and external consumption; Produce annual budget proposals, in collaboration with the Project Manager and technical staff; Consult with the donor representative regarding financial and administrative oversight, as needed; Provide internal program control and audit functions, support annual program donor audit, as needed; Provide guidance to staff on compliance agreements and procurement standards/requirements; Serve as Acting Project Manager, in the absence of the Project Manager, as required.

Basic qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; Strong, demonstrated experience in accounting, financial management and compliance; sound knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and local financial laws, accounting policies and procedures, and general human resources laws and policies in Zimbabwe; Prior experience working with development assistance programs requiring knowledge and understanding of donor regulations, policies, and priorities highly preferred; Prior responsibility in finance and accounting, office administration, project operations at the mid-level of an organization; Ability to coordinate multiple interventions and initiatives simultaneously with high attention to detail; Experience supervising staff and teams, experience managing field offices and field-based or remote staff preferred; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills; PC computer skills in MS word, Excel and PowerPoint and knowledge of Pastel accounting software.

Required languages
Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required.