Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme
Background
The government of the kingdom of this to sign the financing agreement with the European commission on 8 September 2020 to implement a program titled “Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho” with financial support from the 11th European development fund (EDF). The overall objective of the program is to foster rule of law, good governance human rights and gender equality in Lesotho. The overall program objective will be achieved through four specific objectives, namely: 1) increased independence and performance of the justice and governance sector institutions 2) improved efficiency and quality of justice service delivery 3) improved access for just to justice for all, in particular for women, children and groups in vulnerable and marginalized situations and 4) increased accountability, transparency, integrity, and credibility of justice and governance institutions. The implementation of specific objective 2, 3 and 4 of the programme is being implemented under indirect management with the National Authorizing Officer as the Contracting Authority through the Technical Assistance Project and the Programme Estimate (PE). The Technical Assistance Project implementation runs from 9th March 2023 to 8th March 2027 (48 months) while the Program Estimate has an operational implementation phase that runs from 8th September 2023 to 7th September 2026 (36 months).
The Ministry of Justice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, is the supervisor of the program, and is being assisted by a Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) in the implementation of the programme, which includes the provision of technical assistance and ancillary tasks relating to planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, procurement, and financial management. The programme targets institutions in the justice sector namely; the Ministry of Justice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs (including: the Attorney General’s Office, Director of Public Prosecution, Legal Aid Unit, Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Law Reform Commission, Human Rights Unit, Lesotho Correctional Services and Probation Unit), the Judiciary (including the Master of High Court in the Faculty of Law of the University of Lesotho. In addition, the programme targets some independent oversight institutions, namely: the Directorate of Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO), the Office of the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, the National Assembly and the Senate
In order to meet its objectives, effectively and efficiently, the Programme Coordinator Unit (PCU) is in the process of filling a vacant position to support the implementation of the Programme Estimate, and is hereby inviting suitably, qualified and experienced Basotho Nationals to fill the vacant position as follows:
Finance Officer (1 Position)
The Finance Officer will report to the PCU Team Leader and will be responsible for accounting duties (taking care of financial requirements) for the programme within prescribed policies and procedures of the 11 European Development Fund (EDF) to efficiently support the operations of the programme
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Support programme management in the budgeting and budget control of PC expenditure under the Programme Estimate;
- Under the guidance of the Imprest Accounting Officer, set up and maintain a financial system;
- Support the Imprest Accounting Officer in managing and reconciling bank account;
- Avail all necessary support documents of the programme required by Auditors,
- In his/her administrative capacity, ensure that procurement is undertaken following 11th EDF procedures and prepare monthly and quarterly procurement reports to the Team Leader;
- Verifying liquidations from implementing institutions, ensuring expenditure is in accordance with EDF procedures;
- Verifying the contractual and financial details of each invoice, payment request and interim or final itemized statement of account;
- Preparing and drawing up requests for payment of pre-financing instalments;
- Preparation of interim (progress) and full financial reports with strict deadlines (including expenditure by implementing Units and budget execution against workplan & budget);
- Ensure that a programme inventory is regularly updated and maintained; and
- Execute any other assignment with finance aspects that the PC Team Leader, Imprest Administrator and Imprest Accounting Officer may deem necessary.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:
- Degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent accounting qualifications with at least five years of experience.
Experience and skills
- Knowledge of computerized accounting systems;
- Competency in handling budgets and accounting transactions;
- A good level of communication skills both spoken and written English; and
- Knowledge and practical experience in European Development Fund (ED) procedures would be an added advantage.
Remuneration
The programme will offer a package commensurate with the qualifications and experience within the approved Programme Estimate salary scale.
Contract Period
The successful candidate will be offered a contract from the date of signing an individual employment contract to the end of operational implementation period of the Programme Estimate
Method of Application
Applications letters quoting the above reference number and the position for which you are applying, together with detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of certificates and full names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three traceable referees should be sent or hand delivered (hand delivery to be done at the Registry) to the following address:
The Imprest Administrator,
Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme,
Ministry of Justice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs (Old Justice Building, near Old Parliament Building),
P.O. Box 402,
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Or emailed to: [email protected] (Imprest Administrator) and copied to [email protected] (PCU Team Leader). Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, 10th November 2023. Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged and invited for interviews.
Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.