VACANCY: ACCOUNTANT/ADMINISTRATOR IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION

Job Title:           Accountant and Administrator
Duration:          01.04.2023 – 31.03.2024, with possible extension
Location:          Gaborone, Botswana

Background

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) is the oldest political foundation in Germany with offices in more than 100 countries. Our foundation focuses on the core ideas and values of social democracy – freedom, justice and solidarity. We support a policy for peaceful cooperation and human rights, promote the establishment and consolidation of democratic, social and constitutional structures and are pioneers for free trade unions and a strong civil society.

FES Botswana cooperates with local and international partners in areas of civic education to strengthen the civil society and trade unions and focuses on the empowerment of youth and participation of women.

Key Responsibilities

The Accountant/Administrator has to assist the FES Resident Representative in the implementation of projects and activities. The scope of duties shall include:

• Accounting – Prepare monthly settlements of all accounts and transfer them to HQ;
• Advisory Services – Desk support on financial rules and regulations, policies and procedures to the Programme Manager and FES partners;
• Manage the cash flow of the FES Botswana Office and coordinate bank deposits;
• Provide financial reports and interpret financial information to the Resident Representative while recommending further courses of action;
• Pay vendor invoices and track bank account balances;
• Settle advances to FES partners according to FES procurement rules;
• Monitor office expenses and tally and enter cash receipts;
• Facilitate auditing and financial controls with respect to different donors;
• Ensure that project-related disbursements are carried out in a timely and efficient manner;
• Provide the necessary assistance and documentation for the statutory audit of annual financial statements;
• Processing tax payments and returns;
• collects offers and places orders for utilities in the office;
• Responsible for financial safety storages and mechanisms in the office;
• maintains personnel files and assistance with human resources for the RR;
• settles and/or supervises the settlement of all sorts of administrative affairs with Botswana authorities;
• collects, documents and regularly updates all relevant information (regulations, procedures, contacts and steps undertaken) in this respect; this may include required translation;
• maintains project files and files mail, correspondence and physical as well as electronic documents and databases according to current rules and regulations;
• Other tasks as assigned by the Resident Representative within reasonable scope

Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor Degree (or higher) in Accounting or related studies and a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience. Additionally, the candidate should fulfil the following criteria:

• Be aligned and in support of the values of the foundation
• Be a team player and a very good networker
• Show experience in administration of an office
• Display sound strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Able to negotiate and communicate well
• Have a clear vision for the future of Botswana, its political, economic and socio-cultural development
• Able to work under pressure
• Have a working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications
• Willing to travel within Botswana and abroad, if needed
• Have experience in the management of human resources
• Be fluent in both English and Setswana, knowledge of German is an additional asset
• Have a valid drivers permit