Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) has just started implementation of the Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project (WaMCoP), which is a 7 years project that covers the 10 districts of Lesotho. The project is financed by the Government of Lesotho, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), OPEC Fund for International Development, Global Environment Facility and beneficiary’s contributions. The projects overall goal is to increase the economic and climate resilience of wool and mohair value chain stakeholders, with emphasis on wool and mohair farmers’ livelihoods, including women and youth. The MAFSN has established the key positions of the project coordination unit and would like to make a call to the relevant professionals for the following additional positions:
Position: Financial Accountant
Reports to: Finance Manager
Duty Station: Maseru, Lesotho
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Financial Accountant supports the Finance Manager to achieve result-oriented objectives of WaMCoP financial management. Under the supervision of the Finance Manager, the Financial Accountant will take responsibility for all accounts and finance transactions of the WaMCoP and for maintaining all accounting documentation in good order.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Support in the preparation of Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB)
- Analysing payment requests and reconciliation with approved documentation including purchase orders and contracts
- Posting payment invoices into financial management systems in line with approved work plans.
- Assist in preparation of half-yearly consolidated statements of project accounts as an integral part of the Management Information System to be submitted to the Project Oversight Committee, and subsequently to IFAD.
- Ensure that fixed assets are well accounted for and regular verification is undertaken of the condition of assets and their location.
- Ensure that 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;
- Preparing bank reconciliations for the project accounts.
- Assisting in review of invoices and supporting documents before any payments are processed.
- Following up on outstanding advances both to staff, implementing partners and service providers.
- Assisting in ensuring budgetary controls to ensure that no payment is done unless there is sufficient budgetary provision.
- Ensuring systematic and accurate recording/filing of accounting records.
- Prepare the IFRs and the Withdrawal Application to IFAD for timely replenishment.
- Participating in the Audit exercises providing auditors with all information and documentation they require
- Ensure that salary and tax deductions are remitted in timely way and that all acknowledgement of receipt is documented.
- Withholding Tax is recovered from payments, remitted and Tax Certificates are issued to suppliers.
- Any other duties as may be assigned by the Finance Manager.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce/ General Accounting/ Business/ Finance Management from a recognised University plus at least 5 years relevant work experience.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent computer skills and well-versed in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word etc) and Accounting software.
- Good communication skills; Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Knowledge of work planning, budgeting and reporting.
- Self driven, with a strong sense of urgency and ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to work with colleagues in geographically separate locations. Ability to multi-task and manage competing demands.
Mode and Duration of Contract
The duration of the assignment will be three years, renewable depending on satisfactory performance.
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 28 February 2025 At 16:00hrs
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
80 Constitution Road
P.O. Box 24
Maseru 100
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.