We are hiring Finance and Operations Officer – Malawi

ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS

Spark MicroGrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. For nearly ten years, Spark MicroGrants has been pioneering a new approach to international aid. We believe in local solutions and catalyzing rural villages facing poverty into action.

At the heart of Spark’s model, the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), are ‘town-hall’ style meetings, in which women and men plan together for their community’s future. Each village democratically elects a leadership committee, establishes a village savings account, and launches a project of their choice. Members receive training on financial management and transparency, accountable leadership, village planning, and advocacy. Each village receives US$8,000 in seed funds to turn project ideas into reality and receives additional management support.

Spark is now active in 320+ villages in 6 countries, benefiting over 230,000 lives. In the next three years, we seek to accelerate the growth of this approach, through i) establishing a global Community of Practice based on cutting edge facilitation and training design, and ii) establishing a national scale program in Rwanda our flagship program – in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.

Our team of 50+ people is spread across 4 countries in East Africa and the US, sharing a common vision and value system. These are:

• Facilitators. We don’t impose; we enable others to generate impact.
• Community-driven. We are motivated by what is best for the community.
• Process-centered. The how of what we do is just as important as the what.
• Our vision and values live in everything we do.
• We seek opportunities and are willing to take risks to serve our community partners better.

_ABOUT THE ROLE_

The Finance and Operations Officer will play a key role in the implementation and monitoring of sustainable community projects. Critical to the role will be organizing training in assigned locations in line with budget constraints, tracking and monitoring grant usage in communities as well as ensuring Project activities and payments are done in accordance with Spark policies. We are looking for exceptional candidates with a proven track record at managing field finances and administration of community grants and projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensure successful implementation of project activities, including active participation during community project proposal review and the transparent procurement of Microgrant-related goods and services.
2. Responsible for day to day entry of financial information and maintaining all financial records for Malawi in accordance with established financial procedures.
3. Complete all month end procedures in line with the reporting deadlines.
4. Prepare monthly Budget Variance reports and share with functional teams as per the reporting calendar.
5. Manage weekly payment cycle and logistics; ensuring timely disbursement of payments to staff and vendors in line with expense management procedures.
6. Forecast cash needs for Malawi operations and ensure timely cash flow requests.
7. Conduct regular review meetings with Program staff and Partners to resolve and discuss any financial and accounting issues and queries.
8. Provide Micro Grant management tools and training to Partners and capacity development to manage microgrants at the community level.
9. In conjunction with program staff, evaluate completed projects ensuring that the whole Microgrant disbursed is fully accounted for.
10. To persistently coordinate with the implementing partners to track physical progress of the ongoing Microgrants.
11. Update and report to the Program Managers and Partner Trainers on a regular basis about the progress and constraints and try to resolve accountability issues at all phases, if any, in consultation with other program team members and with advice/guidance of the Program Manager.
12. Organize and requisition materials for Program training in line with budget and provide training and other logistical support as needed.
13. Join meetings with partners and other stakeholders if needed
14. Plan out timelines for field audit and go to field to audit communities and analyze field audit findings

YOUR PROFILE:

Job Requirements/Person Specifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or other related field
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience
• Proficiency in Excel and Accounting software; experience with Oracle Netsuite is an added advantage
• Experience in and understanding of essential accounting principles, accounting systems and Malawi tax requirements
• Experience in handling proposal reviews for grant recipients
• Ability to conduct field audits

_WHY WORK WITH US ?_

• Spark has grown every year since founding. You will join as a team lead with immense opportunity to shape the future of the organization and grow as a leader.
• Spark has been recognized by the Government of Rwanda, NY Times, Obama Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan, Forbes, and beyond as a leader in community-driven change.
• You will be joining a team that hails from ten countries around the world and is committed to a new world where every village and every neighborhood has the power to drive local change.
• You’ll never be bored – AND we also respect and value work-life balance and your need for downtime, vacation, and reflection. That’s why in addition to salary, we provide generous paid leave benefits.

OTHER INFORMATION

Job Location: the candidate will be based in Lilongwe Malawi, with ~50% travel within the communities in Malawi where Spark operates.

Estimated start date: May 2024

Application closing Date: On a rolling basis, we reserve the right to close this recruitment process at any time.

How to Apply: Follow this link to apply: https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/careers/95

Safeguarding

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and Rwandan Legislation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.

Be part of a team of diverse professionals who work together to ensure continued growth, success and enjoyment. Test and scale innovative solutions that will lead to growth and achievement of operational strategic goals.