Head Of Finance at GIZ South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini

The GIZ South Africa, Lesotho, and eSwatini Country Office in Hatfield, Pretoria, invites talented professionals to lead as our "Head of Finance." This pivotal role offers you the chance to shape and drive financial strategies while making a tangible impact on the ground.

Unlock your potential with GIZ and become part of a dynamic and diverse team that values innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. Join us on this remarkable journey, where your skills will be valued, and your contributions will shape a brighter future.

Qualification:

• Hold an esteemed MSc/MBA/Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Law, Economics, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

• Bring at least a decade of professional expertise in a similar role, showcasing your leadership capabilities with a minimum of five years in a supervisory position.
• Thrive as a results-oriented and metrics-driven leader, leveraging your experience in Finance & Accounting.
• Harness your knowledge in international development cooperation, contributing to GIZ's impactful initiatives.
• Showcase your proficiency in Digital Transformation, driving innovative solutions and growth.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of compliance standards, ensuring ethical and transparent practices.

You'll excel in this role if you possess the following qualities:

• Exceptional communication skills
• Strong ability to build and lead teams effectively
• Outstanding management abilities
• Proficiency in both English and German languages
• Impressive negotiation skills
• Highly developed organisational skills and self-initiative at a conceptual level
• Extensive knowledge of financial planning and accounting
• Proficiency in ICT technologies, including relevant software, phone systems, email, and internet usage, as well as computer applications like Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated confidentiality in handling data and information.
• Results-driven performance.
• Broad range of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural competencies
• Willingness to enhance skills as needed for the tasks at hand, with corresponding measures agreed upon with management

What you will be doing:

• Managing the Finance Unit within the GIZ Country Office in Pretoria, ensuring efficient services to all GIZ Projects, Programs, and Clusters, as well as Head Office and other GIZ Country Offices
• Overseeing the finance function of GIZ South Africa, Lesotho, and eSwatini, encompassing day-to-day operations, strategic direction, and continuous improvement of service quality and compliance
• Skillfully addressing queries related to issues within your section, providing efficient and effective solutions
• Performing tasks in full compliance with GIZ's Procedures and Rules (PuR)
• Delivering services within the team in alignment with GIZ's requirements and standards
• Ensuring the smooth functioning of financial administration, adhering to GIZ's standard processes and procedures
• Conducting financial planning, monitoring, and accounting for both the GIZ Office and various GIZ projects, programs, and clusters
• Monitoring all GIZ bank accounts, fund disbursements, and allocations
• Facilitating effective coordination with the finance team and the Commercial Affairs Department at GIZ Head Office

As the Head of Finance, you will:

• Provide expert advice to peers, senior Finance Managers, the Country Director, the Senior Management Team (SMT), and Program Management on thematic areas and relevant issues.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration with different groups to address and resolve queries promptly.

Management Responsibility

• Take responsibility for assigned business areas, orders, and measures within the section, overseeing the management of staff (bands 1-4) reporting to you
• Lead your team in accordance with sound management principles, GIZ's cooperation and leadership principles, nurturing a sense of corporate identity and enabling independent task execution, creativity, and innovation
• Handle staff recruitment, selection, grading, and professional development planning
• Ensure cost-effective service delivery by monitoring and managing staff performance
• Conduct annual staff assessments and development discussions
• Establish, communicate, and implement long-term departmental goals to drive effectiveness and efficiency
• Spearhead the implementation and development of finance policies
• Develop, communicate, and administer team performance, development plans, and appraisals

Content Related Tasks:

Financial Services:

• Monitor income, expenditure, journal closures, and monthly bank reconciliations
• Manage the processing of letters of credit and fund allocations
• Monitor and report on real accounts (payables, receivables) to the Head of Finance and Administration and the Country Director
• Coordinate travel claims and advance payments
• Coordinate the financial processing of contracts, procurements, and payments related to logistics/events

Internal Control:

• Coordinate and ensure the quality of checking vouchers and receipts for completeness and allocation.
• Provide financial advice on projects
• Coordinate internal controls in line with GIZ's internal controlling manual

General Services for GIZ:

• Prepare monthly and annual budgets, monitoring deviations
• Perform accounting tasks using winpaccs accounting software, including monthly end-of-period accounts and bank reconciliation vouchers
• Coordinate submission of project and office accounting end-of-month accounts, cash books, and account balance vouchers
• Monitor co-funding specifics/budget coding in accordance with project requirements
• Prepare analyses of expenditure compared to the total project budget on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis (budget monitoring)
• Review and advise on signatory policies for different structures

Payroll, Taxes, and Social Security:

• Coordinate monthly bookings of salaries, social security, pension, and tax payments.
• Support with questions regarding tax payments, social security payments, clearance, etc., as provided by the HR Unit's payroll software.

Other Tasks/Duties:

• Foster internal and external networking between different groups, thinking and acting beyond team boundaries
• Design group and working procedures aligned with objectives, requirements, and client needs
• Develop themes and instruments in your area of responsibility and integrate them into the overall context
• Share expertise through knowledge management and provide advice to external parties on relevant matters
• Network with other units and deliver services aligned with management goals and requirements
• Formulate solutions for complex and fundamental issues within the section
• Promptly report any financial administration and compliance problems
• Establish and maintain a compliant filing structure within the unit, following GIZ rules
• Prepare for audits and internal controls, ensuring all unit-related documentation, including completion reports, is readily available
• Act as a substitute for other unit heads and the Head of Finance and Administration when they are absent
• Undertake additional duties and tasks as requested by management
• Ensure data protection within your area of responsibility
• Pursue relevant job training to enhance your position and duties, jointly selecting appropriate programs with the Head of Finance and Administration and the Head of HR

We are excited to provide you with more details about this opportunity:

• Location: This position is based in the GIZ South Africa/Lesotho/eSwatini Country Office, currently situated in Hatfield/Pretoria
• Global Network and Diversity: Joining GIZ means becoming part of a global network that embraces diversity, respect, and genuine equal opportunities. We are committed to promoting gender equality and are proud to be a signatory of the Diversity Charter. At GIZ, we recognize, appreciate, and embrace diversity in our company. We value all employees, regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age, or sexual orientation.
• Inclusivity and Disability: GIZ actively seeks to increase the representation of employees with disabilities. We encourage and warmly welcome applications from individuals with disabilities.
• Contract Duration: The contract period for this position is 24 months, offering you a stable and long-term commitment.

To apply for this position, please follow the instructions below:

• Prepare a concise motivation letter (maximum 1 page) highlighting why you are the ideal candidate and the value you will bring to the project - "Application for Head of Finance" addressed to the Head of Human Resources
• Submit a detailed CV, emphasising your relevant tertiary qualifications
• Include a copy of your South African ID to demonstrate eligibility to work in South Africa
• Application Deadline: 4th July 2023
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications submitted without a motivation letter will not be considered.