Finance Manager | Pretoria, South Africa | 2024

Chemonics seeks a Finance Manager for the USAID/Southern Africa Countering Wildlife Crime (CWC) Activity. The purpose of the five-year USAID/Southern Africa Countering Wildlife Crime activity is to reduce threats to and protect biodiversity from wildlife crimes in Southern Africa. The Activity will build on the long history of the USAID Southern Africa Regional Mission in countering wildlife crime (CWC) through partnerships with regional organizations, governments, the private sector, and civil society. Measurable development outcomes include improved coordination between stakeholders, strengthened criminal justice sector capacity, and increased resilience to corruption. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Support the Operations and WILD Fund Director with the overall financial management of the CWC Activity ensuring strict adherence to Chemonics policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations
• Supervise accounting cycle to include preparation and appropriate documentation of journal entries, payment requests, and general ledger reconciliations
• Ensure incurred costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with USAID cost principles and Chemonics policies and procedures
• Review project staff timesheets and processes monthly payroll
• Review submission of all tax withholdings (e.g., payroll income tax and deduction at source) to relevant parties
• Put together and monitor Value Added Tax (VAT) payments and reports
• Prepare and maintain all the project financial reporting for the South African and participating countries’ authorities. Ensure that all financial transactions and practices related to program activities in the region adhere to USAID and local Governments regulations
• Review, process and enter expenses into ABACUS (Chemonics accounting system) and provide supporting documentation for expenses entered
• Review petty cash fund, including disbursing of funds, recording expenses, ensuring receipts are received, and following Chemonics’ custodial procedures
• Collect and review employee expense reports for accuracy
• Maintain transparent and audit-proof record keeping systems per Chemonics’ policies
• Obtain documentation and approval for all transactions and ensure payments are done on time
• Support the Operations and WILD Fund Director with the review of internal financial control systems to ensure appropriate mechanisms, procedures, and systems are in place; Ensure proper safeguards of funds and compliance with established USAID and Chemonics financial and accounting procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Operations and WILD Fund Director

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field. Master’s degree is preferred
• At least five years’ experience in financial and administrative management for large donor funded development projects is required
• Minimum three years’ experience with a USAID-funded project is strongly preferred
• Experience in bookkeeping and accounting required
• Knowledge of South Africa operating environment, including registration, taxes, and labor law
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, with a strong preference given to experience with USAID rules and regulations around finance and administration
• Proficiency in Microsoft programs (i.e. Excel, Word) and the ability to use various commercially available accounting software programs – knowledge of D365 desirable
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks
• Demonstrated versatility, leadership, and integrity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English