Kingdom of Lesotho
Ministry of Health
REQUEST FOR CVs
Job Description
DEPARTMENT: Project Implementing Unit
JOB TITLE: Accountant
PROJECT: Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Financial Management Specialist
DATE OF ISSUE: 15th July 2022
REF: LS-MOH-304182-CS-INDV-LNHSS-2022
BACKGROUND
The Government of Lesotho has received funding from the World Bank to implement Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project. The project will support the Government in improving the quality and utilization of health and nutrition services, through the development and implementation of necessary health reforms. Ultimately the proposed project seeks to contribute to reduced malnutrition and improved health outcomes, especially among lower-income households, through health system reforms that will lead to increased access to health and nutrition services, both at the facility and community levels, and stronger governance of health and nutrition. The project will also contribute to the implementation of the health and nutrition pillar in NSDP II. The strategy proposes to support different stages in life through a comprehensive and complementary package of health and nutrition services. To achieve improved quality and service coverage in health and nutrition for lower-income groups, the Government aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending and management throughout the health sector, which this project will support through technical assistance (TA) to nutrition and health sector management, goods and equipment, and a quality-focused approach. Project support to the FNCO will help build its coordination capacity to more effectively bring together sectors and partners working in nutrition.
In an effort to implement this project effectively, the MOH seeks to recruit an accountant who will work within the Project Accounting Unit under the supervision of the PIU Financial Management Specialist. S/he will also support the implementation of other health projects coordinated by the Project implementing Unit (PIU) within the MOH, i.e. the Lesotho Covid-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project and the Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support Project. The accountant will provide support to the Ministry of Health in accounting, financial management and all fiduciary functions.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The project Accountant will support MOH in accounting of project funds, budget management, internal control, overall financial management and reporting; and will also be responsible for managing PIU’s internal finances like payroll administration, fixed assets verification, cash management and managing of bank accounts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Project Accountant will be responsible to maintain the financial management system for both the project activities and PIU administration. The specific tasks include:
a. Budget Management
- Assist the Project Coordinator and Program Officer in the preparation and review of annual budget indicating expenditures on project activities and project’s future annual expenditures.
- Assist the Project Coordinator in the quarterly budget allocations versus expenditure and collate quarterly forecasts in collaboration with program officers.
- Liaise regularly with program officers and the project Coordinator on monitoring budget and expenditures and determine variances on quarterly basis.
- Review and monitor the project’s financial performance and make recommendations to make the current expenditures more efficient as well as based on the lessons learnt suggest improvements to the current financial management system.
b. Financial System Maintenance
- Ensure that appropriate finance systems are maintained, implement SOPs and ground rules for the project’s financial management as per the World Banks rules and ensure that all procedures and controls are implemented.
- Manage accounting and reporting systems software (s) and ensure that all transactions are properly accounted for in the Accounting System on daily basis.
- Monitor financial disbursement and all administrative procedures in line with Kingdom of Lesotho and World Bank requirements.
- Management of the General Ledger in Accounting Systems
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data in the accounting system
c. Financial Reporting
- Prepare the monthly financial accounting reports and reconciliations at the end of each month
- Provide any other financial information, as requested, and respond to any other financial queries by the Project Coordinator
- Provide assistance to the Finance Specialist in compiling and consolidating accounts and preparing unaudited and audited project accounts for each fiscal year.
- Ensure timeliness of required financial report to the Ministry of Development Planning, Ministry of Finance and auditor General and World Bank on a regular basis.
d. Bank and Cash Management
- Monitor cash flow and cash projections and ensure that sufficient funds are always available in the bank.
- Manage bank accounts, and the disbursement of funds from the central bank to project accounts and perform Bank reconciliations
f. Support the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in financial audits, preparation of audit reports and all audit related process(es).
g. Support internal financial management controls for the project to ensure adherence to the World Bank’s and other internationally recognized fiduciary requirements as specified in the Project implementation manual
h. Payroll Administration:
- Prepare the PIU Payroll on a monthly basis and ensure timely submission of payroll payment instructions to the bank
- Ensure all payroll statutory deductions are remitted on time to relevant authorities such as the Lesotho revenue authority (PAYE).
Prepare and Submit Monthly, Quarterly and Annual statutory returns to the Lesotho Revenue Authority
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
24 months contract, subject to annual performance review.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The Project Accountant will meet the following minimum criteria:
- The applicant shall have Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance or equivalent.
- CPA or ACCA will be an added advantage.
- 8 years’ Experience as an Accountant and minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial management of donor funded projects. Experience of working on World Bank projects will be an asset.
- Applicant is expected to have high-level knowledge of and efficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of Tompro, Pastel Payroll and other financial management accounting software systems is also required.
- The applicant is expected to have a proven knowledge of budgeting, accounting and cash control processes
Competencies
In addition to the above, the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Sound understanding of financial management and high level of integrity
- Familiarity with Funds flows and disbursement management including but not limited to:
- Accounting and information system;
- Internal control and management oversight arrangements, including internal audit;
- Financial reporting; and
- Internal and External audit arrangements
- International and local accounting and reporting standards
- Lead and Innovate – encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant financial solutions. Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity.
- Develops and supports financial management solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable. Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the Ministry of Health and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients. Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
Reporting
The Accountant will report jointly to the Financial Management Specialist for day to day activities and will be supervised by the Project Coordinator.
Time Commitment
100% with the PIU Financial Management function.
Compensation
A competitive salary will be offered to the successful candidate in line with Kingdom of Lesotho norms and World Bank consultancy guidelines.
Application Instructions
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter together with detailed curriculum vitae indicating work experience and educational certificates and National ID. Names and contact details (email and daytime phone) of 3 referees should be included in the CV.
Applications to be hand delivered to the undersigned not later than 1st August 2022 1200hour to:
Procurement Officer’s Office, Procurement Unit Ground Floor, Ministry of Health, Corner constitution & Linare Roads, Kingdom of Lesotho, Telephone: (+266) (+266) 27323277.
Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks from submission deadline. If you do not receive a call and email from us consider application not successful.