Finance Specialist

Company Profile  

 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) - is a public-benefit federal enterprise working in more than 100 countries worldwide. We work on behalf of the German Government and support public and private sector clients in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and environment, and peace and security. Our activities cover three priority areas: Energy and Climate, which deals with renewable energy and energy efficiency; Training and Sustainable Growth for decent Jobs; and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, which focuses on good governance. 

Project Brief 

The SKBoWa (Cross-Border Cooperation in Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana) project and the REACH (Resilience Against Climate Change) project aim to strengthen the resilience of rural populations in north-western Ghana as well as local structures against the impacts of climate change, economic, and social crises. The promotion of participatory planning processes, increasingly oriented towards cross-border collaboration, contributes to improving social cohesion in the region. For successful planning and implementation, close collaboration with a variety of stakeholders is necessary. This includes governmental structures, traditional authorities, village communities, economic enterprises, as well as actors in the security sector. SKBoWa and REACH are implemented as EU co-financed projects of the BMZ at the Wa location in north-western Ghana, in conjunction with other projects.

Scope of Role

As a Finance Specialist you are responsible for ensuring that financial administrative functions well in accordance with GIZ standard procedures. You are also to ensure financial planning, monitoring and accounting according to GIZ rules and regulations and serve as support system to the senior finance manager. 

Tasks

 ▪ Monitors the real accounts (payables, receivables) and reports regularly to the officer responsible for the contract and cooperation and the accounting manager

 ▪ Preparation and Processing of Grant Agreements in collaboration with technical units of the project and HQ

 ▪ Submits the end-of-month accounts from the project accounting, cash books and account balance vouchers (through or from WINPACCS) to the officer responsible for the contract and cooperation and forwards them to GIZ Country Office

 ▪ Ensures services rendered within the section are done correctly according to GIZ Financial and Accounting Guidelines

 ▪ Ensures full compliance to internal control/ auditing rules

 ▪ Carries out accounting procedures using WINPACCS bankbook and cashbook software, balancing both books periodically, always prepared for both regular and unannounced cash counts and bank reconciliation statements

 ▪ Routinely monitoring income, expenditure, and monthly reconciliation in accordance with GIZ requirements

 ▪ Calculates travel advances and travel claims, proper checking of invoices for accuracy

 ▪ Performs other duties and tasks at the request of management 

Profile

 • BSc, MBA/MSc/MA in accounting, finance, auditing or similar area 

• Membership of ACCA/ICAG/CIMA/CITG or other comparable professional membership will be an added advantage

 • At least five (5) continuous years’ work experience within a similar position

 • Excellent knowledge of procurement procedures

 • Strong command of English language (both written and oral) is required; knowledge of German language is an asset 

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially MS Team, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

 • Mandatory working knowledge in IT-based accounting programs

 • Proactive attitude towards personal growth and institutional changes

 • Must be ready & willing to relocate to Upper West -Wa 

How to Apply

 Interested and suitable applicants are to forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a one-page cover letter stating their motivation to the position and added value to the project  quoting the Job Code 2024/SKBOWA-FS/08/10 in the subject line. If you do not hear from us four (4) weeks after the deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful. Pro-TIP: Want to stand out from other applicants? We encourage you to include a 1-2min video why you are excited about that opportunity and what unique value you can bring to the project. GIZ is an equal opportunity