Finance and Grants Officer

Organization Background

Action Against Hunger is a global leader combating hunger, delivering innovative solutions, advocating for systemic change, and reaching 24 million people annually with programs for hunger prevention and treatment. Operating in over 50 countries with 8,300 staff, the organization tackles the root causes of hunger such as climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies, pursuing a hunger-free world for all.

Action Against Hunger USA operates as part of this international network, managing activities in eight countries including Zambia, with over $100 million in programming and 1,800 permanent employees.

Position Summary

The Finance and Grants Officer will handle daily financial transactions and budget management for ACF-Zambia, ensuring accuracy and adherence to organizational, donor, and government financial guidelines. This role supports the Support Services Manager and occasionally liaises with the Regional Finance Specialist.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintain exemplary accounting standards by processing and verifying monthly accounting entries and performing bank reconciliations before the 5th of each month.
• Manage budgets by setting parameters in accounting software and preparing accurate monthly accounting bundles for timely submission to the HEARO Finance team.
• Ensure compliance with procurement procedures by collaborating with logistics and administration teams.
• Promptly process payments conforming to ACF policies and update cost allocation and balance sheet accounts regularly.
• Safeguard accurate filing and archiving of all finance documentation per ACF guidelines, archiving originals monthly.
• Serve as the primary contact for internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and addressing audit recommendations promptly.
• Oversee high-quality cash management, including cash forecasting, liquidity monitoring, fraud risk prevention, cash counts, and acting as bank agent for various financial transactions.
• Develop and monitor budgets including producing budget follow-ups (BFUs), engaging in forecast meetings, analyzing costs, and alerting on variance in spending.
• Lead grant management responsibilities including document preparation, audit support, and contributing to the financial oversight of donor-funded projects.
• Ensure security of cash on-site and during transfers, conduct internal audits for fraud detection and prevention, and provide financial training and coaching to staff.
• Engage with banks, suppliers, programme partners, and donors to support financial operations and project performance discussions.

Internal and External Interaction

• Reports directly to the Finance Manager and supervises the Finance Intern.
• Collaborates closely with logistics teams, Program Managers, suppliers, banks, and tax authorities.

Reporting Responsibilities

• Provide contributions to weekly situation reports and submit regular cash forecasts (weekly, mid-month, monthly).
• Manage weekly and monthly accounting reports using Sylogist accounting software.

Commitment to Gender Equality and Safeguarding

• Promote an equitable work environment upholding values of equality, professionalism, transparency, and non-discrimination.
• Respect all beneficiaries and colleagues regardless of gender, orientation, disability, race, age, or status.
• Uphold safeguarding and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Management, Finance, or a related discipline is required. An MBA or ACCA qualification is advantageous.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience in administration, human resources, finance, or logistics.
• Strong organizational and planning capabilities with the ability to follow complex work plans.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including negotiation, influence, feedback, and teamwork abilities.
• Resilience in managing stress and balancing multiple priorities across programmatic and operational needs.
• Demonstrated alignment with ACF's values of professionalism, neutrality, and non-discrimination.
• Prior experience within Action Against Hunger or other international NGOs and familiarity with donor-funded program management.
• Experience supervising staff is preferred.