Finance Officer

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICE

JOB DESCRIPTION – FINANCE OFFICER

Position Title: Finance Officer

Reporting To: Executive Director, Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (ELDS)

Overall Purpose of the Position

As the head of the Finance Section at ELDS, the Finance Officer holds ultimate responsibility for managing, accounting for, and reporting on all organizational and project funds. This role ensures that all financial dealings are precise, timely, and fully compliant with ELDS policies, donor mandates, and Malawian laws. The position champions integrity, transparency, and responsible stewardship of resources entrusted to ELDS by its partners.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Budgeting and Planning
2. Lead the preparation of annual and project budgets in collaboration with program and procurement teams, ensuring alignment with approved work and procurement plans. Support budget revisions and re-forecasting, monitor utilization, and advise Management on variances, risks, and opportunities for efficiency.
3. Financial Accounting and Record Keeping
4. Supervise the maintenance of up-to-date financial records in accordance with accepted accounting principles and ELDS financial policies. Ensure accurate recording and coding of all transactions by project, donor, cost center, and budget line, maintaining comprehensive supporting documentation for reviews and audits.
5. Financial Reporting
6. Produce punctual and accurate monthly management accounts, bank reconciliations, and other internal financial reports within established deadlines. Prepare donor financial reports according to grant agreements and formats, ensuring consistency with narrative reports, and manage expenditure returns and cash flow projections.
7. Internal Controls, Compliance and Risk Management
8. Review and enhance internal control systems, financial procedures, and methods to mitigate financial risk. Verify that all disbursements and payments conform to ELDS instructions, donor rules, procurement procedures, and statutory requirements, ensuring the quality and eligibility of payment requests. Coordinate internal, external, and donor audits and follow up on audit recommendations.
9. Cash, Bank and Treasury Management
10. Ensure timely disbursement of funds for operational and administrative activities, including field operations, aligned with approved budgets and cash flow projections. Oversee the preparation and review of bank reconciliations for all project accounts and monitor cash balances and fund transfers to prevent liquidity issues.
11. Donor, Grants and Partner Management
12. Interpret donor financial guidelines to ensure expenditures and reports comply with each funding agreement. Support the development and review of partner and sub-grantee budgets and reports, collaborating closely with program staff to align financial planning with program delivery.
13. Systems, Tools and Capacity Building
14. Oversee the use and maintenance of the organization’s computerized accounting system and related financial tools, ensuring data integrity and proper backups. Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial procedures, tools, and templates, and provide financial guidance and on-the-job support to junior finance staff and other personnel.
15. Values, Ethics and Faith Based Identity
16. Uphold high standards of professional ethics, honesty, and confidentiality in managing financial information and resources. Promote and embody ELDS’s Christian, faith-based values in financial stewardship, ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for beneficiaries and partners.
17. Supervision of Accounts Staff
18. Provide guidance and support to finance department staff to ensure they effectively carry out their duties.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

• A Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy), Bachelor of Accountancy, or an equivalent degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification or active progress towards ACCA, CIMA, ICAM, or equivalent; a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance, or an MBA, is considered an advantage.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in finance or accounting, preferably in a senior or lead Finance Officer capacity.
• At least two (2) years of experience with donor-funded projects (local and/or international), including budget monitoring and donor reporting.
• Experience working with NGOs or faith-based organizations.
• Proficiency in computerized accounting systems and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
• A strong grasp of accounting principles, internal controls, and donor compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead the finance function.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with high integrity, reliability, and commitment to ELDS’s vision and values.

Interested candidates should submit their applications, including a CV and details of at least three traceable referees, no later than 15th June 2026.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Executive Director

Evangelical Lutheran Development Service

P/Bag 25

LILONGWE.

Email: info@eldsmw.org.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

ELDS is an equal opportunity employer. Women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.