Finance Manager – USDA Malawi MTENGO at Winrock International

The Market Transitions to Enable New Growth Opportunities (MTENGO) project is a five year, USDA-funded project implemented by Winrock International in the Northern and Central regions of Malawi. MTENGO uses a farmer-first approach grounded in market incentives to increase resource-efficient, reliable production from Malawian agriculture in the face of climate unpredictability. MTENGO’s approach will enable farmers to:

1. Diversify and achieve stable returns from their farming portfolio through climate smart farming by responding to market demands with diversified production;
2. Increase access to water for productive purposes through improved water management practices;
3. Make ecosystem services work for farmers by improving farmer access to, and collective management of, water, soil, and forest products; and
4. Increase access to markets and finance so farmers can make climate smart investments.

 

 

The Finance Manager has day-to-day responsibility for administering project finances. He/she manages all accounting and finance functions in the project office and submits monthly financial reports (i.e., Field Reports, bank reconciliations, bank statements, advance schedules, liability schedules, inventory reports, grant tracker, etc.) to the Regional Office in Nairobi.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversees all financial and accounting aspects of the MTENGO project.
• In collaboration with the COP and technical team, develops projections, budgets, monitor compliance with approved budgets, and prepare financial analyses needed by the COP and other project staff to effectively manage project funds.
• Provide inputs to periodic financial reports to USDA, as may be required.
• Ensures daily compliance at the field level with Winrock’s financial and accounting policies and procedures, local laws and donor rules and regulations.
• Maintains and strengthens financial systems (i.e., internal controls) in the Field Office; ensures compliance with signing and approval thresholds, and segregation of incompatible functions.
• Complies with any in-country audit requirements and supports the Home Office and Regional Office with internal audits and operational reviews.
• Generates monthly financial report package and submits the same to the COP and Program Officer at HO for review and approval; after which the approved report packages are submitted to the Regional Office in Nairobi within the set deadlines.
  • QuickBooks reports i.e. FOV, Comparative Balance sheet, P/L by Class and in detail, assets, and liabilities schedules
  • Bank reconciliation and bank statements
  • Grants Tracker and Inventory report
• Oversees uploading of monthly financial reports and hard copies (backups) at the designated SharePoint site within set deadline.
• Works with technical staff to develop monthly budget needs and submit wire requests to Home Office within the set deadline.
• Ensures finance and accounting records are kept intact, audit-ready at all times, and compliant with Winrock’s records retention policy.
• Monitors monthly financial performance in relation to budgets and forecasts, obligated funds, commitments, and advances to subcontractors, grantees and consultants.
• Supports subcontractors and grantees in financial monitoring and reporting and makes field visits to subcontractor/grantees’ office as and when needed.
• Supervises the bookkeepers (one in Lilongwe and one in Mzuzu).
• Support other Winrock International projects in Malawi as needed.
• Other duties as maybe assigned.

Qualifications And Background:

• Education:
  • Bachelor or master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field is required.

• Experience:
  • Experience leading financial, administrative, and/or procurement of donor-funded programs required, USDA or USAID experience preferred.
  • Familiar with coordinating with governmental offices to ensure the organization’s operation comply with local laws.
  • Excellent knowledge of MS Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint including SharePoint cloud storage.
  • Strong analytical and computer skills, especially spreadsheet and financial analysis.
  • Must have a strong customer service orientation, ability to demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards at all times, ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities while ensuring quality output.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skill in English required.

About Winrock International

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

 

 

At Warnock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization.