Finance Manager For Zimbabwe Livelihoods And Food Security Programme

Maxwell Stamp PLC (MSP) is recognised as a leading consultancy in economic development headquartered in London. Since 1959, we have worked in over 170 countries and built a reputation for successful programme implementation across a wide range of development areas – including public administration and governance; financial sector reform; trade and competiveness; and, livelihoods and rural development. We are a major supplier to DFID, regularly featuring in the top five companies.

Maxwell Stamp PLC has extensive experience in managing large livelihood programmes for DfID and other key donor agencies. Currently, it is in the second phase of managing the DfID Chars Livelihood Programme in Bangladesh, £76 million programme which provides livelihoods support combined with transfer of productive assets and cash through grant disbursements. In Ethiopia, it is implementing an Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups Programme aimed at building a more supportive business environment for pastoral drop outs, youth and women. Furthermore, MSP has experience working in Zimbabwe, expertise in agricultural development, market linkages and value chains, and has offices in sub-Saharan Africa.

Maxwell Stamp PLC is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Finance Manager for the upcomingDFID Zimbabwe Livelihoods and Food Security Programme. The programme comprises three inter-related components and delivery mechanisms – this component focuses on the Market Development Componentwhich seeks to foster innovative new ways of linking farmers groups with commercial markets to bring about a step-change in farm productivity and incomes offering innovation grants to market actors to strengthen markets for small holder farmers.

The purpose of this component is to design and implement the market development component of the Livelihoods and Food Security Programme using a combination of innovative interventions, including the making markets work for poor (M4P) approach.The interventions should:

• Scope and understand existing market systems that are relevant to smallholder farmers in the target districts and the extent to which they are working to serve the needs of poor smallholder farmers – and where the market systems are failing this target group, take appropriate action to correct those failings;
• Promote sustainable systemic change by better alignment of key market functions and players with the incentives and capacity to work more effectively;
• Seek large scale impact through prioritizing interventions that benefit significant numbers of poor people; and
• Pursue a facilitative approach that will provide a catalytic role in the market without displacing and distorting current market functions or players.

Interested candidates will be expected to undertake the following:

• Develop financial systems for the project;
• Manage start-up project funds and accounts;
• Monitor project resources to ensure timely transfer of funds;
• Maintain an accurate database of information on all financial transactions and disbursements records of the grants managed by MSP;
• Manage and maintain an accurate accounting and finance records or database of information on all financial transactions and disbursements of the grants managed by the programme;
• Provide senior administrative support to project procurement responsibilities including  the management of vendor relationships, as required by the Team Leader;
• Provide financial management advice on revisions of budgets, preparing periodical forecasts and any changes needed;
• Manage programme funds and maintain project accounts.  Monitor programme resources to ensure timely transfer of funds;
• Facilitate timely disbursement of funds, including all direct payments from the programme.  Account for and pay invoices for grant and non-grant related expenditures to and track monthly “burn rates” for each;
• Submit timely, consolidated and reliable financial reports for budget monitoring and progress reporting of programme funds and grants;
• Coordinate regular and ad-hoc financial reports whilst ensuring compliance with key donor requirements;
• Establish and review systems and procedures to ensure low transaction costs for banking as well as timely and effective accounting and payments;
• Ensure project financial records are up to date and accurate and that all record keeping and data entries to MSP’s internal systems;
• Manage administration and logistics procedures in line with organisational requirement;
• Develop detailed financial procedures for awarding of grants. Review and advise on financial reporting compliance of specific project partners;
• Work closely with grants manager in monitoring grantee compliance with financial management and reporting obligations and facilitating timely disbursements;
• Assist Team Leader with financial management and reporting capacity development of programme implementing partners;
• Coordinate annual and other financial audits—including preparation of supporting schedules and information—respond to auditor questions, and consolidate report formats;

For the Finance Manager position, candidates should also possess the following skills:

• Professional Accounting Qualification
• At least 10 years’ experience in a high level finance/accounting position
• Strong analytical skills and reasoning skills
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong service orientation and service delivery focus
• Experience working on DFID-funded projects and knowledge of DFID’s approach to value for money (desired)
• Fluent in English, proficiency in local languages, Shona and/or Sindebele, would be an asset
• Experience of working in Zimbabwe, or Southern Africa, including an understanding of its political and socio-economic context (desirable).

Interested candidates should email their CV and a cover letter to recruitment@maxwellstamp.com quoting the reference MSP2013Y in the subject line. The deadline for application is Tuesday 31st December 2013, however, CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis and early application is advised. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.