Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project
Advertisement for Project Management Unit Positions
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) will be implementing a Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project (WAMCOP), which is a 7 years project that will be covering the 10 districts of Lesotho. The project loan, is financed by the Government of Lesotho, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and beneficiary’s contributions. The project’s overall goal is to increase the economic and climate resilience of wool and mohair value chain stakeholders, with emphasis on wool and mohair farmer’s livelihoods, including women and youth. The MAFSN is establishing a project management unit and would like to make a call to the relevant professionals for the following project positions;
Position: Finance Manager
Report to: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: Maseru
Job Summary:
The Finance Manager will be responsible for administration of the Project’s financial resources, reporting and for ensuring that all disbursements of the project funds are in compliance with the applicable guidelines, rules and procedures provided by both the Government and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Administer provision of custody and control of all accountable documents
- Installation of appropriate financial/reporting systems to ensure that the PMU and especially the Project Coordinator are regularly informed of on-going financial status and transactions.
- Ensure timely capture of project in the Government of Lesotho budget as required by the Ministry of Finance budgeting processes and calendars including access to counterpart funding.
- Evaluate annual work plan and budgeting procedures, and budgetary control systems applied to monitor actual expenditures versus budget including commitment controls to avoid commitments beyond available resources.
- Communicate to all implementing partner institutions and service providers their financial responsibilities, the funds available and how to access it, and the requirements of reporting and record keeping in accordance with prevailing government practices which are acceptable to IFAD.
- Ensure that all project 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.
- Assess compliance with Government of Lesotho laws and regulations governing public financial management including adherence to international accounting standards, audits and financial reporting.
- Ensure that 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.
- Ensure that designated account and operational accounts are maintained in accordance with the provisions of the financing agreement and in accordance with the financier’s rules and procedures.
- Contribute to the preparation of the Project Implementation and Financial Manuals (PIM).
- Ensure the Project’s Financial Procedures as detailed in the Project Implementation and Financial Manuals are strictly adhered to by all Project staff and executing agencies at the national and local levels.
- Ensure that the annual financial statements and quarterly interim financial reports (IFRs) are prepared in accordance with the prevailing standards.
- Liaise with external auditors to audit the project accounts to meet the required submission dates by both Government of Lesotho and IFAD. Review external auditor’s reports (Audit Opinions and management letters)
- Provide guidance and support of staff
- Facilitate capacity building on financial management for implementation partners at both national and district levels;
- Provide guidance on financially related issues;
- Ensure that all project staff and executing agencies adhere to the project’s financial procedures as detailed in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and in line with the Financing Agreement with the /IFAD, and provide advances and support as may be required;
- Visit the districts and resolve any financial accounting and reporting issues if necessary;
- Prepare the terms of reference for audit and ensure timely start of the audit process.
- Ensure that auditors are availed all the necessary documents during the audit;
Qualification and Experience
- Master`s Degree in Commerce, Business or Finance Management from a recognized University plus 4 years work experience 2 of which must be at senior management level.
OR
- Post Graduate Degree in Commerce, Business or Finance Management from a recognized
- University plus 6 years work experience 3 of which must be at senior management level.
OR
- Bachelor Degree in Commerce, Business or Finance Management from a recognized University plus 8 years work experience 4 of which must be at senior management level.
Skills and Competencies
- Have a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts options) or Finance from a recognized University plus professional accounting qualification (CA);
- Have 5 years working experience in a similar position;
- Be familiar with financial management/accounting in a government ministry/department and donor-funded projects
- Be computer literate, especially in electronic spreadsheet, and other specialized accounting packages preferably FINPRO/TOMPRO;
- Have a good working knowledge of accounting, personnel and procurement policies and procedures;
- Have a good working knowledge on: (a) banking, and (b) financial control;
- Have strong leadership and communication skills.
- Be fluent in both English and national language;
SUBMISSION
Interested candidates’ applications should be accompanied by detailed CVs, certified copies of national identity document, educational certificates and transcripts and be delivered to the address below not later than 03rd May, 2024 at 13:30 pm
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness project
P.O Box 24
Maseru 100
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified