CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LESOTHO
GRANT ACCOUNTANT
REPORTS TO: FINANCE MANAGER
CONTRACT DURATION: 1 YEAR
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Catholic Relief Services began working in Lesotho in 1976 and has had a physical presence since 2002. Programming areas include health, agriculture/livelihoods, WASH, and school feeding/nutrition. CRS has a staff complement of 70 and its programming, in collaboration with local partners, spans all 10 districts in Lesotho. The most recent donors include GIZ/EU, USDA, USAID/PEPFAR, UNICEF, UNDP, and many other private donors.
Job Summary:
You will coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the KB project policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services by documenting the KB project financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the KB grant life cycle. This position will also be responsible for the delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for payables or receivable transactions for the Grant.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for grant sub-recipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned grant accounts in the Oracle (Project Insight) financial accounting package.
- Review and validate supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
- Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
- Assess, evaluate, and monitor sub-recipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen the capacity of partners in financial accounting and transactions.
- Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant grant staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
- Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist grant staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
- Provide information to grant staff, sub-recipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity-building activities.
- Perform assigned treasury grant (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.
Basic Qualifications
- B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
- Minimum of two-three years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
- Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations is preferred.
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), and Web Conferencing Applications.
- Knowledge of Oracle financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.
Personal Skills
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
- Conscientious, accurate, and thorough with great attention to detail
- Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented
- Ability to work collaboratively.
Required Languages – Fluent in both Sesotho and English
Travel – Travel within the country is required as needed, with some international travel possible for attendance at program-related meetings and workshops. Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually look for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Project manager and All staff
External: Partners
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Submission:
Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens of Lesotho. Interested candidates should submit CV, cover letter and certified copies of academic qualifications, no later than 11 August 2023 at 17:00 by email to [email protected] with the subject line: Grant Accountant. APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THE SUBJECT LINE DOES NOT INDICATE THE POSITION. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its employees to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be required to evaluate their behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.