Job Details

Childfund Work Location Lusaka, Zambia

Childfund Division Global Impact

ChildFund Department Country Management

Job Details

Position title: Specialist II Grants and Finance

Location: Lusaka

ChildFund Office: Zambia

Manager/ Supervisor title: Partnership and Portfolio Specialist

Position type: Full-time fixed term

Work environment: On-site

About ChildFund

ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund’s Values

ChildFund values a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment

ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role

The position provides comprehensive technical support for the financial management of donor-funded grants, NSPs and Subsidy/sponsorships. S/he ensures compliance with internal policies and donor regulations while ensuring budget planning, forecasting, income recognition, financial reporting, compliance monitoring of subsidy in line with signed (LOA) agreements, and capacity building for local partners and staff. The role also supports improving cost recovery, stakeholder communication, and financial sustainability.

Primary Responsibilities

• Remain alert and responsive to procedures and guarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Responsible for training and mentorship of staff and local partners in financial management systems and procedures to ensure competency and proficiency and that reports required are submitted promptly and accurately.
• Conduct monitoring visits to Local Partners to ensure compliance to the letter of agreement and ensure all pending actions are cleared timely.
• Ensuring donor compliance, taking timely actions, accurate budget coding and expenditure posting, guiding cost utilization, and managing grant planning and closure.
• Responsible for Local Partner budget and cash flow management duties to include fund release request preparation (New Funding Model), coordination and supervision of cash forecast requirements, assisting in the development of Annual Strategic Plans, SPO and/or NSP proposal budget, review of Local Partner annual plans, and optimal utilization of funds.
• Monitor the Local Partner compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations: in partnership with the Assurance Department, implement corrective action measures on Local Partner audit, monitor findings/recommendations and prepare quarterly status reports.
• Participate in financial capacity assessment of the potential partners for sub grantees as well collaborate selection process; assist the partners’ project planning and budgeting; engage in the development of agreements with the partners; and consolidate partners’ budget.
• Assist in the budget preparation process for any new proposals for the continuation of the grant.
• Prepare input of finance data in the funding model monthly and ensure sponsorship funds are remitted to Local Partners timely.
• Conduct appropriate financial analysis for SMT monthly and quarterly reporting to ensure compliance conformity to all ChildFund Zambia internal and partnership requirements as well as Donor requirements.
• Review and analyze partners’ financial reports; and assist with necessary amendments on partners’ financial reports.
• Ensure that review of variance reports (BVA) is done before consolidation and final reporting on utilization of funds (PEF, NSP, Subsidy and Grants) to be shared to the Program Director monthly, quarterly and annually.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance or a relevant field
• ZICA affiliation
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in Grant Management, preferably in an NGO setting, out of which 3 years working with local and strategic partners.
• Knowledge and experience of donor grants of diverse institutional donors (EU, US funding, ECHO, UN Agencies, GFFO, FCDO, etc.)

Required Competencies

ChildFund’s Core Competencies

• Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
• Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
• Results orientation gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
• Decision making uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
• Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
• The role requires proactive problem-solving, delivering contextualized solutions, and mitigating risks identified through spot checks to maintain project continuity.

Other Required Competencies

• Proven language proficiency in written and spoken English
• Interpersonal communication skills
• Sound judgement and ability to work effectively with others at all levels
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, participatory approach and sustainable development.
• Sound analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Strong knowledge of financial systems, policies, and procedures, and advanced Excel skills
• Ability to influence others’ behavior through effective relationship building; thorough current knowledge and understanding of relevant policies, frameworks, etc.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure
• Computer proficiency in general office software applications (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Proficient in financial reporting.