Recruitment notice: EXPERT.E FINANCES AND CONTRACTS at Giz International

OFFER DESCRIPTION

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT OF A FINANCE AND CONTRACT EXPERT WITHIN THE DIASPORA PROJECT FOR THE PROMOTION OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN AFRICA (GIZ/WiDu) OF THE DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR INTERNATIONALE  ZUSAMMENARBEIT GmbH IN YAOUNDE .

A. BACKGROUND

The “Promotion of Employment in the Informal Sector” is the new regional project that contributes to improving the situation of employment and incomes in Africa. Start-up entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs are supported through improved access to finance through the complement of migrant remittances and capacity building in entrepreneurial skills.

Through the digital platform “WiDu”, project applications are jointly submitted by members of the African diaspora in Germany and young companies and micro-entrepreneurs in Africa. In addition, the digital platform provides the framework for coaching and mentoring services in the pilot countries, as well as for the networking of funded start-ups and micro-entrepreneurs.

Given the project’s innovative P2P approach, it will be piloted in Ghana and Cameroon as part of a 9-month orientation phase (“individual development cooperation”). If the pilot phase is successful, further scale-up and expansion of the project to other African countries is planned.

As part of the implementation of its activities, WiDu is therefore looking for a  Finance and Contracts Expert , based in its offices in Yaoundé.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contracts and Finance Officer will be responsible for making all payments and transfers required by the Project.

He/She will liaise with the country office and ensure the strict application of GIZ rules and regulations.

C. AWARDS

In this context, the incumbent has the following responsibilities:

1. Contract management

• With the help of the project, prepare and calculate the documentation required for new contracts with service providers.
• Check billing and follow up with Service providers.
• Assist service providers in establishing proper accounting procedures and financial management.

1. Accounting

• Process bill payments and accounting for WiDu Cameroon
• Manage and track a substantial number of mobile payment and small-scale bank account remittances to small businesses and start-up entrepreneurs receiving grants.
• In cooperation with the GIZ country office accountants (who carry out the accounting procedures using WINPACCS bankbook and cashbook software), periodically balance the two books, prepare the project for regular and unannounced cash checks and prepare the bank reconciliation statements.
• Supervise the Bank account and mobile payment system project
• Send monthly cash book and bank book printouts with supporting documents, cash count report and bank reconciliation statements to the GIZ Country Office Accounting Officer.
• Track all receivables and provide status reports.
• Calculate advances on travel expenses, check that invoices are compliant with regard to their material and arithmetic accuracy.

1. Financial management

• Using SAP, provide feedback to the project on cost and expense accounting.
• Liaise with WiDu Finance Manager to improve accuracy of expense and cash flow estimates.
• With the support of the Coordinator and Finance Manager of WiDu, prepare the annual cash forecast for the country office.

1. Administration

• Learn about current GIZ procedures and rules and provide regular updates on changes and news regarding the project.
• Ensure the preparation of internal controls and external audits.
• Train partners and advisors on accounting and procurement procedures.
• Support the verification of the suitability of potential partners.
• Carry out liability checks of partner organizations and contractors receiving grants as well as the organization of external audits; provide advice for improvement measures.
• Perform contractor identity verification, investment reports and electronic verification of sanctions lists.
• Train partner organizations in the proper management of their financial support.
• Provide direct advice and coaching on aspects of financial management to financial managers of partner organizations.
• Assist and/or perform other office activities and other duties as required.

1. Other activites

• Performs or participates in other activities and tasks as instructed by superior.

REQUIRED PROFILE

D. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• Bac + 4/5 in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or any other similar field.

Professional experience

• Have at least 4/5 years of professional experience in the field of Accounting and Administration.
• Have proven experience with CoSoft and Winpaccs accounting software.
• Knowledge of GIZ tools is an asset.
• Have practical experience related to Accounting programs based on information technology.
• Have a very good working knowledge of modern telecommunication systems and computer applications.
• Have a good working knowledge of computer platform technologies and openness to work with new platforms.
• Have excellent knowledge of MS Office packages including Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel (Research, complex calculation formulas, data conversion, multiple conditional formatting, macros…).
• Have a perfect command of French and/or English (spoken and written); knowledge of German is an asset.
• Have an excellent ability to handle a large volume of sensitive data and a sense of confidentiality.

Other  Skills

• Have a strong capacity for self-organization, resilience, flexibility.
• Have a great capacity for organization and teamwork.
• Have excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to take responsibility and work on own initiative.
• Be disciplined and punctual.
• Be deadline oriented (meeting deadlines).
• Have the will to strengthen their skills and competences according to the tasks to be accomplished.

Contract start date  :  01.08.2023

Duration: until 31.12.2023 (CDD renewable over 2 years)

Duty station :  Yaoundé

Internal job classification: 4A

Deadline for admissibility of application files: 15.07.2023

COMPOSITION AND SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS :

• Composition (required) of application files:  Cover letter, CV (2 pages max) and 03 professional references.
• All applications will  only  be received on our career site, via the e-recruiting platform accessible through the link:  https://gizkamerun.jobs.net .

Female candidates are strongly encouraged.