Job Description                                            

Job Title:         Accountant, Burundi Better Coffee Initiative (BBCI)

Reports to:      Financial Controller

Department:     Administration

Location:         Burundi

Grade:             7 

TechnoServe Background

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics, and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description:

TechnoServe is currently implementing a 5-year, multi-million-dollar USDA-funded coffee sector development project in Burundi. The Burundi Better Coffee Initiative (BBCI) aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Burundi’s coffee sector by improving on-farm production, local processing, marketing, and the supportive ecosystem. A big team which is managing and delivering field project operations of different program components is active in the project area. Inclusion of women and youth in all components and activities of the project is critical 

Position Description

The Accountant will be responsible for supporting the Financial Controller in providing efficient and sound Financial Management, Accounting and Financial Reporting while ensuring Compliance with donor requirements and guidelines. He/She will report to the Financial Controller and collaboratively work with all Program teams.

 Key Roles & Responsibilities:

• Review invoices and payments for accuracy, relevance and authorization as well as timely capturing of payments in the financial system in line with donor requirements.
• Perform Accounts Payable Functions.
• Responsible for Payroll Processing.
• Maintain general ledgers, cash books, debtors and creditors ledgers.
• Review coding of invoices, maintenance of records, and reconciliation of statements for suppliers and debtors.
• Work with program and administrative staff to ensure donor regulations are strictly adhered to during project implementation.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliation.
• Prepare and file statutory returns, including withholding tax and PAYE returns.
• Assist in generating the relevant source documents during internal and external audits.
• Review staff timesheets to ensure accuracy and correct charging and time allocation per organization and donor guidelines.
• Assist in working with the team on annual budget reviews
• Coordinate month-end closure by the stipulated deadlines.
• Ensure effective resource utilisation and safeguarding of TechnoServe’s assets while maintaining the Fixed Asset Register.
• Work with the procurement team in line with procurement policy to ensure adherence to TechnoServe and donor p
• Assist in training of field staff on the TechnoServe policies, guidelines, and donor requirements.
• Reviewing financial system codes allocated to costs in line with donor budget requirements for completeness, correctness and accuracy
• Manage and track staff travel advances and reconciliations.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality in relation to sensitive and confidential financial information and decisions.
• Perform other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Required skills and experience;

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business related courses e.g Accounting, Business Administration, Economics etc.
• Professional Qualification in CPA, ACCA is an asset.
• At least 3 years financial accounting experience preferably in an INGO environment.
• Excellent IT skills with experience of operating computer-based financial management systems.
• Competent to advanced level in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience and knowledge of Serenic Navigator or Sylogist highly preferred.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment under minimum supervision.
• Experience in working with projects funded by international donors.
• Working knowledge of donor compliance rules and regulations.
• Willingness and ability to take the initiative in identifying problems, suggesting solutions, and implementing agreed solutions.
• Fluency in English, French, and Kirundi.

Success Factors:

Competency is a combination of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) directly related to successful performance on the job.

Core Competencies include:

• Integrity and honesty: Is widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidence; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent himself or herself for personal gain.
• Teamwork/ Relationships: Works cooperatively and flexibly with other members of the team with a full understanding of the role to be played as a team member and/or leader, to achieve a common goal.  Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and networks.
• Learning attitude: Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn. Actively identifies new areas for learning; applies and shares new knowledge and skill appropriately.
• Diversity/Inclusiveness: Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts. Interacts effectively with and inclusively with people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, ages, and genders.
• Communication: Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations. Listens effectively; shares information, ideas and arguments; adjusts terminology, language and communication modes to the needs of the audience; ensures accurate understanding; acts in a way that facilitates open exchange of ideas and information; uses appropriate non-verbal communication.
• Decision making/Problem Solving: Is able to analyse situations, diagnose problems, identify the key issues, establish and evaluate alternative courses of action and produce a logical, practical and acceptable solution.  Is able to make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary.
• Results Oriented/ High Quality Deliverables: Stays focused on the efforts necessary to achieve quality results consistent with programmatic or departmental goals. Demonstrates the ability to achieve effective results; works persistently to overcome obstacles to goal achievement. Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks.
• Planning & Time Management: Establishes a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal. Effectively plans, schedules, prioritises and controls activities; identifies, integrates and orchestrates resources (people, material, information, budget, and/or time) to accomplish goals. Prioritises work according to the program or department’s goals, not just own job responsibilities; manages own time effectively.
• Business Acumen: The ability to use information, ask the right questions and take decisions that make an impact on the overall business performance.

Job Specific/Technical Competencies include:

• Financial & Resource Management: The ability to estimate, justify, and manage appropriate funding levels to support goal accomplishment. Managing Resources is about understanding human, financial, and operational resource issues to make decisions aimed at building and planning efficient project workflows, and at improving overall organisational
• Computer Literacy: Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use specific computer programs or applications for their own functional area. Has the ability to improve performance by integrating new and existing technology into the workplace.
• Donor/Partnership Management: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, or organisations to help achieve business goals.
• Analysis, Research, Report Writing: Experience in business planning and analysis, modelling for feasibility and execution. Able to analyse and express oneself clearly in business writing.
• Innovative Mindset: Curious inquiries, asks questions and seeks out information from multiple sources, learns from mistakes, sees change as an opportunity.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply. With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.

NOTE:

• Only selected candidates will be invited to take the recruitment tests.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Use this link to apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/TEC1006TESER/JobBoard/817b593e-69ab-4cba-b403-869d36c4b229/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=d70923fb-7d72-4fa0-86aa-3ec6ee4c3966