Financial Manager

COSPE is advertising the position of Financial Manager with the overall responsibility of coordinating and supervising from an administrative and financial point of view all the ongoing in- country and regional projects managed by its Branch Office in the Kingdom of Eswatini (former Swaziland). The project’s portfolio includes initiatives as Lead Applicant and as Co-applicant funded by the Italian Ministry of Former Affairs and the European Union, with actions in Eswatini, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

Main tasks:

• Definition and supervision of the financial, administrative and accounting procedures for the project and the branch office, according to the relevant national/international laws, the internal COSPE regulations and the donors’ requirements
• Preparation and monitoring of the annual/monthly operational financial plan of the projects, in compliance with partnership agreements, co-funding obligations and contracts with the donors;
• Supervision of the relationship with banking institutions in Eswatini. Opening, management and closing of COSPE bank accounts in Eswatini, including all relevant documentation and management of internet banking
• Human resources management of local staff in Eswatini (preparation of contract/ToR, supervision of time sheets, leaves, permits, correct payment of contributions, application of code of ethics and internal regulations). Definition of service contracts for local and international consultants into the projects, in compliance with national /international relevant laws and donors regulations.
• Management of assets of COSPE in Eswatini, including transfer, sale and purchase, in compliance with the country’s regulations and donors’ rules;
• Management and updating of the registration of COSPE in Eswatini, in compliance with the laws of the country, including annual audits;
• Supervision and coordination of COSPE local accountants (currently 2) and of the finance officers of the partners involved into the projects
• Collaboration if / when necessary in the recording of expenses in the accounting system (software NPS) and transmission to the HQ on bi-monthly basis.
• Supervision of the monthly bank account and cash reconciliations for all projects and accounts
• Supervision of the procurement procedures and verification of the correctness of the related supporting document of the expenses for COSPE and all the partners
• Participation in the preparation of new project budgets, amendments, financial situations and any other analysis needed for the efficient management and planning of the projects and expenditures for local office/staff.
• Drafting of partnership agreements and service contracts with regards to administrative and financial aspects
• Training and capacity building of finance officers of the partners

Mandatory requirements:

• University Degree in finance, economy, accounting, or International Development studies
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the administrative and financial management of projects funded by international donors
• Knowledge of double entry accountancy system;
• Strong motivation to work in the non-profit sector with a human rights-based approach
• Excellent knowledge of English (C1 level both spoken and written);
• Excellent knowledge of IT tools and applications in the accounting field;
• In-depth knowledge of the admin/financial rules of the main donors such as AICS, European Union, UN
• Experience of administrative management of complex projects (for number of partners and for a value greater than 1 million euro)
• Availability for regular travels both inside the Kingdom of Eswatini between the two Cospe offices (in Siteki and Mbabane) and in the countries of the area for short missions (2/3 times per year)
• Sharing COSPE’s mission, values ​​and strategies

Preferential requirements

• Work experience in Southern Africa countries

• Knowledge of the Italian language

• Knowledge and experience of remote site / project management tools and procedures

Relevant attitudinal skills:

• Autonomy
• Problem solving
• Planning and Organisation
• Capacity of analysis
• Monitoring and evaluation

WORKING STATION: Mbabane or Siteki (Eswatini)

CONTRACT DURATION: from 1 May 2021. First contract until 31.01.2022, renewable for one year within the same project. Subsequent contracts are possible based on the projects portfolio.

CONTRACT TYPOLOGY: Contract on project (consultancy based)