Job Description
Reports to: Finance and Administration Manager
Responsible for: n/a
Start date: September/October 2024
Term: Full time, initially 12-month contract, with extension expected but dependent on continued funding being secured
Based in: Lilongwe, Malawi
Salary: £16-18k per annum dependent on experience, plus health insurance
Application deadline: 11.59pm CAT, 26th August 2024
Date of first round interview: Week commencing 2nd September 2024
About DMI
Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in developing countries. We are the first organisation to scientifically demonstrate that mass media can increase life-saving behaviours (see the results of our RCT that proved our interventions can save thousands of children’s lives, here).
DMI has two priorities: first, to continue to generate ground-breaking research, second, to take our proven strategies to scale, saving as many lives as possible. We work across a range of health issues, including child survival, reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and early childhood development. DMI works in close partnership with leading experts in health, including WHO, UNICEF and LSHTM and has been funded by some of the world’s most prestigious organisations including the Wellcome Trust, DFID, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.
We are an innovative and rapidly growing organisation, working at the nexus between science and creativity. DMI has demonstrated that knowledge is not only a human right but is also the key to saving lives in a cost-effective way. Our intellectual rigour, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from both our successes and mistakes, makes us distinct. Our ethos is non-hierarchical: all our staff are intellectually high-powered, and we have a “best idea wins” culture. By working at DMI you will have a genuine, measurable impact on improving lives in low-income countries.
DMI has a permanent presence in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania and also currently works in Mauritania, Uganda, and Zambia. DMI’s headquarters overlooks the Regents Canal near Kings Cross in London and provides the strategic direction for the whole organisation.
DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations in the world by The Life You Can Save.
Find out more on our website.
Job description
DMI is looking for a Finance and Administration Manager to join our expanding Malawi team.
More specifically, the Finance and Administration Manager role will include the following responsibilities:
- Ensuring the complete and accurate recording of all DMI Malawi’s transactions, and reporting these in a timely manner in line with DMI’s policies and processes. This includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash accounts, and payroll, with all transactions documented appropriately and relevant accounts reconciled each month.
- Preparing monthly finance reports as required. This will include spending forecasts and reconciliations. You will also contribute to the financial elements of donor reports.
- Preparing project budgets (including budget variance reports) and other reports as appropriate to aid financial management and decision making.
- Assisting with cash management processes, which will include managing payments through any or all of mobile banking, petty cash, bank accounts, or currency cards. It will also include having responsibility for the office cash float and reconciling staff advances for project expenditure.
- Ensuring that DMI Malawi complies with all relevant financial legislation and operates in line with DMI’s global policies and processes, particularly those related to financial management and procurement.
- Undertaking administrative and logistics tasks to ensure the effective running of the DMI Malawi office, including sourcing suppliers, procurement, contract drafting, preparation of travel forms, arranging workshops and meetings, maintaining office supplies and services.
- Supporting DMI project delivery, including managing suppliers and maintaining databases of contractors and project outputs. It may also include more direct involvement in project activities, including participating in research trips etc.
- Other tasks as required.
Person specification
Required knowledge, skills and experience
- Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in administration/accounting role in the NGO sector.
- Experience in administration of donor-funded cooperation projects, budgeting, and reporting.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, procurement, business administration or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail, capacity to prepare or work on detailed planning documents, and know how to archive complex information in an organized way.
- Good analytical skills and ability to present and report findings verbally and in writing.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Professional fluency in English (written and spoken).
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience
- Previous experience working for an international NGO.
- Partial professional qualification in ZICA, CPA, ACCA or other internationally recognized accounting qualification.
- Previous experience working with auditors in preparation of financial statements and tax returns.
DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.