Accounts Officer

COUNTRY: Southern African Power Pool region

NAME OF PROJECT: Southern African Power Pool Program for Accelerating Regional Transformational Energy Projects

Projects Grant No.: H9890

Title: Appointment of an Accounts Officer for the SAPP Project Advisory Unit

Background

The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), established in 1995, was the first formal international power pool in Africa. SAPP’s primary aim is to provide a reliable and economical electricity supply to the consumers of each of the seventeen SAPP utilities and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), consistent with the reasonable utilisation of natural resources and effects on the environment, and a stable interconnected electrical system.

The SAPP Coordination Centre (SAPP-CC) requested financial support from cooperating development partners to secure project preparation funds, resulting in a grant from the World Bank (IDA) to set up a Project Advisory Unit (PAU) that would accelerate the implementation of projects in the region. The objective of the acceleration programme is “to be accountable for the preparation and implementation of selected and agreed priority regional electricity projects in the Southern African Power Pool region”.

The Project Advisory Unit office requires an Accounts Officer to be based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Daily duties will include amongst others the following:

• Capturing of all accounting data in Pastel Evolution Accounting System

• Prepare and periodically review and update the financial management sections of the Project Implementation Manual with a view to making it consistent with the financial management system and financial management software of SAPP CC.

• Maintain adequate financial management systems at the PAU.

• Prepare the PAU’s annual budget and cash forecast by quarter based on the work plan and procurement plan.

• Monitor the implementation of the PAU budget.

• Review all monthly disbursement requests submitted by the various Project agencies and ensure propriety and eligibility.

• Prepare and process e-submission of Withdrawal Application to the World Bank and follow-up as appropriate with SAPP CC and the World Bank.

• Manage the PAU designated account (DA), in compliance with the financial covenants of the PAU and the World Bank financial management guidelines and maintain a Special Account as authorised by the SAPP CC and ensure the timely completion of bank reconciliation statements on a monthly basis.

• Ensure that all payment documentations are in order and in accordance with any special requirements of the World Bank.

• Effect payments to contractors and suppliers of the PAU upon authorisation by Management and verification of the availability of funds.

• Monitor utilisation of payments made (through desk and on-site reviews) and report the conclusion of the review to the PAU Transaction Advisor.

• Maintain up-to-date accounting records and ledgers and record all financial transactions for all activities relating to the PAU.

• Prepare appropriate statements of expenditure, direct payments and special payment requests and applications for replenishment of accounts per World Bank guidelines for review, approval and submission to the SAPP CC.

• Update the ledger monthly reports

• Prepare the quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) for Cooperating partners.

• Preparation of monthly reconciliations for grants, debtors and suppliers.

• Preparation of monthly management accounts.

• Preparation of monthly reconciliations of the asset register

• Preparation of monthly reconciliations for the deferred income accounts versus the bank account balances for all the cooperating partners. (AfDB, DBSA and World Bank)

• Prepare annual financial statements in a satisfactory and timely manner.

• Ensure that a proper internal control system is in place to achieve accountability at all levels.

• Assisting staff with travel claims and advance reconciliations.

• Filing and record keeping of all Financial information in compliance with SAPP requirements.

• Liaise with the SAPP CC Finance Department with respect to financial templates, processes, procedures, etc.

• Liaising with both Internal and External Auditors.

Qualifications and Experience

The Accounts Officer should be in possession of an Accounting qualification with at least three (3) years working experience doing a similar job. Previous experience should include working as an Accounts officer or similar position in a small to medium sized company and must have exposure to Pastel Evolution accounting software and Microsoft Office package. Competence in reading and writing in English is mandatory. Work experience in an International Company will be an added advantage.

Interested individuals are invited to submit their detailed curriculum vitae to the address provided below by post or e-mail by the 29 November, 2019 at 15:00 hours Central African time. The title of submission must clearly state: ”Curriculum vitae for Accounts Officer for the Southern African Power Pool PAU”

The responding individual must disclose any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest related to any of the services stated. Any non-disclosure of conflicts of interest could lead to the Accounts officer being disqualified.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from Monday to Friday [08:00 to 16:30 hours].

Please direct enquiries and deliver the response to:

Southern African Power Pool PAU

Attention: Thembekani Luthuli

222 Morningside Close

Morningside

Johannesburg

South Africa

Tel: +27 10 446 9600

Email Address: [email protected]