The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) stands at a pivotal moment in the nation’s digital evolution. As the statutory regulator for telecommunications, postal and broadcasting services, MACRA is mandated to foster an inclusive and innovative communications sector that drives socio-economic development. Rapid technological convergence, the expansion of digital broadcasting and the emergence of new media platforms present both significant opportunities and increasingly complex regulatory challenges. To navigate this dynamic environment effectively, ensure regulatory compliance, protect consumers and strengthen Malawi’s regional competitiveness, MACRA requires strategic leadership at the executive level.

The Authority is therefore seeking to fill three critical roles: Director of Legal Services, Director of Finance and Director of Broadcasting Services. The Director of Legal Services is vital to maintaining a legally sound regulatory framework and safeguarding good governance. The Director of Broadcasting Services is essential for steering sector regulation, promoting diversity and upholding content standards in a rapidly evolving broadcasting landscape. While Finance is vital for providing strategic leadership in managing the Authority’s financial resources and ensuring that funds are used efficiently, transparently and in support of its regulatory mandate.

Filling these positions is a strategic imperative. The successful candidates will provide the vision, leadership and expertise required to advance MACRA’s regulatory agenda and strengthen the communications sector as a cornerstone of national development.

MACRA invites applications from accomplished professionals who are ready to drive regulatory excellence and contribute to the continued development of Malawi’s communications sector.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Reports to: Director General

Purpose of the Job

To provide strategic leadership and direction in the planning, management and control of the Authority’s financial resources by ensuring sound fiscal management, statutory compliance, effective budgeting, financial reporting, revenue management and implementation of appropriate financial systems that support the achievement of the Authority’s strategic objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate and oversee the preparation of the Authority’s annual budgets, medium-term financial plans and expenditure forecasts in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and other applicable financial regulations.
• Monitor budget implementation through periodic financial analysis, identify budget variances and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
• Provide strategic leadership in the preparation, review and presentation of monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts and financial reports.
• Develop, implement and monitor the Authority’s financial management policies, accounting systems, internal controls and financial procedures to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Advise the Director General, Management and the Board on financial planning, investment decisions, financial risks and all matters relating to the Authority’s financial performance.
• Coordinate the preparation and consolidation of departmental budgets into the Authority’s overall budget and monitor budget execution.
• Ensure prudent financial management and effective utilization of financial resources by monitoring expenditure and ensuring that spending remains within approved budgetary limits.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory financial statements and ensure timely submission to relevant oversight institutions.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, coordinate audit process-es, respond to audit findings and ensure implementation of agreed audit recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory financial obligations, including taxation, public finance regulations and reporting requirements.
• Oversee treasury management, cash flow planning, investment of surplus funds and management of the Authority’s financial assets and liabilities.
• Develop and implement strategies for revenue optimization, financial sustainability and efficient resource mobilization.
• Ensure the Authority maintains good financial standing with regional and international organizations within the ICT regulatory sector through timely settlement of subscriptions and financial obliga-tions.
• Collaborate with the Technical Directorates in the determination and review of regulatory tariffs, licence fees and other charges to ensure financial sustainability and compliance with applicable legislation.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of financial management information systems.
• Lead, supervise, mentor and evaluate the performance of staff within the Finance Directorate to ensure high levels of productivity and professional development.
• Prepare Board papers, management reports and financial analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Promote good corporate governance, accountability, transparency and sound financial stewardship throughout the Authority.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director General from time to time.

Qualifications, Work Experience and Competencies

• Master’s degree in finance and professional qualification in finance like ACCA and CIMA from a recognized institutions of higher learning.
• Bachelor’s degree in accountancy
• Membership with relevant professional body (ICAM, MAB) is a must.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant post-qualification experience in finance, including at least five (5) years at a senior management level.
• Proven ability to develop and implement budgets and budgetary control measures.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting package technologies.
• Strong understanding of the Communications Act and other relevant national and international regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration with government agencies, industry bodies and regional/interna-tional regulators.
• Proven experience in budget preparation, resource management and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant digital tools.

• Develop, coordinate and oversee the preparation of the Authority’s annual budgets, medium-term financial plans and expenditure forecasts in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and other applicable financial regulations.
• Monitor budget implementation through periodic financial analysis, identify budget variances and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
• Provide strategic leadership in the preparation, review and presentation of monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts and financial reports.
• Develop, implement and monitor the Authority’s financial management policies, accounting systems, internal controls and financial procedures to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Advise the Director General, Management and the Board on financial planning, investment decisions, financial risks and all matters relating to the Authority’s financial performance.
• Coordinate the preparation and consolidation of departmental budgets into the Authority’s overall budget and monitor budget execution.
• Ensure prudent financial management and effective utilization of financial resources by monitoring expenditure and ensuring that spending remains within approved budgetary limits.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory financial statements and ensure timely submission to relevant oversight institutions.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, coordinate audit process-es, respond to audit findings and ensure implementation of agreed audit recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory financial obligations, including taxation, public finance regulations and reporting requirements.
• Oversee treasury management, cash flow planning, investment of surplus funds and management of the Authority’s financial assets and liabilities.
• Develop and implement strategies for revenue optimization, financial sustainability and efficient resource mobilization.
• Ensure the Authority maintains good financial standing with regional and international organizations within the ICT regulatory sector through timely settlement of subscriptions and financial obliga-tions.
• Collaborate with the Technical Directorates in the determination and review of regulatory tariffs, licence fees and other charges to ensure financial sustainability and compliance with applicable legislation.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of financial management information systems.
• Lead, supervise, mentor and evaluate the performance of staff within the Finance Directorate to ensure high levels of productivity and professional development.
• Prepare Board papers, management reports and financial analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Promote good corporate governance, accountability, transparency and sound financial stewardship throughout the Authority.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director General from time to time.

• Proven ability to develop and implement budgets and budgetary control measures.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting package technologies.
• Strong understanding of the Communications Act and other relevant national and international regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration with government agencies, industry bodies and regional/interna-tional regulators.
• Proven experience in budget preparation, resource management and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant digital tools.

• Master’s degree in finance and professional qualification in finance like ACCA and CIMA from a recognized institutions of higher learning.
• Bachelor’s degree in accountancy
• Membership with relevant professional body (ICAM, MAB) is a must.