OVERVIEW

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Currently African Parks in Malawi manages Majete Wildlife Reserve, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park and Mangochi Forest Reserve.

African Parks – Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve invites suitably qualified, experienced and passionate Malawians to fill the following vacant position.

POSITION: FINANCE MANAGER

Contract Duration: Three-year contract subject to renewal based on performance and organizational requirements.

The Finance Manager will directly report to the Park Manager with Dotted Lines to the Regional Finance Manager but also work closely with other departments as required. The Finance Manager will oversee the management of all Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve’s financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow management, internal controls and compliance with statutory and donor requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but not limited to):

ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

• Maintain full reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts in accordance with financial reporting standards.
• Deliver structured feedback and support to ensure all financial transactions are recorded with precision and completeness as well as offer ongoing guidance and oversight to accounts personnel to uphold the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Facilitate the timely preparation and dissemination of financial reports to meet the expectations of Donors, Government entities and APN.
• Generate timely financial performance reports and facilitate informed dialogue with the heads of department to ensure fiscal accountability and drive operational alignment.
• Oversee and optimize the organizations income collection to maximize revenue realization and accurate revenue capture.
• Maintain regular reconciliation of cash and bank accounts to verify alignment with recorded transactions.
• Supervise monthly and yearly closing processes.

DONOR MANAGEMENT

• Ensure proper utilization of donor resources through budget tracking and variance analysis.
• Monitor incoming funds and reconcile donor receipts with grant agreements and bank statements.
• Coordinate with FRM to align donor budgets with operational plans and strategic priorities.

TAX FILING AND REPORTING

• Submission of all relevant tax returns in accordance with statutory requirements
• Maintain accurate records of tax filings and payments.

DUE DELIGENCE AND AUDIT

• Assess the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management systems.
• Coordinate external audits, prepare draft financial statements and necessary notes, and draft responses to audit management letters.
• Ensure the closure and resolution of audit findings.
• Verify compliance with concession agreements and assess the financial accuracy and completeness of concessionaire reporting.

PAYROLL

• Compliance Management: Ensure adherence to labour laws, tax regulations, pension schemes and coordinate with HR for updates on employee data
• Risk Management: identify and mitigate risks related to payroll fraud, errors and data breaches
• Review and sign off monthly payroll.

FIXED ASSET MANAGEMENT

• To oversee asset acquisition, utilization, depreciation and disposal in compliance with financial and regulatory standards
• Verification and Tagging: Coordinate physical verification and tagging of assets to confirm existence and condition.
• Disposal oversight: Manage asset disposal processes, ensuring proper authorization, documentation and accounting treatment

PLANNING, BUDGETING AND FORECASTING

• Coordinate the annual budgeting cycle.
• Prepare rolling forecasts based on actual performance market trends and funding scenarios.

TREASURY AND CASH MANAGEMENT

• Monitor daily cash positions and ensure sufficient liquidation for operational needs.
• Manage relations with financial institutions and oversee bank account administration.
• Review and authorize fund transfers, deposits and withdrawals.

STORES AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

• Supervise the stores department, ensuring accurate records and integrity of the management system.
• Oversee inflow and outflow of material, with proper documentation for receipts, stock issued and transferred.
• Implement inventory controls, including regular stock counts, reconciliations and timely variance reporting.
• Ensure compliance of stores processes with procurement, finance and audit requirements including correct inventory valuation.

PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT

• Provide oversight to the Procurement Officer, ensuring compliance with AP policies, donor requirements and statutory regulations.
• Oversee tenders, supplier evaluations, contracts and purchasing documentation to guarantee transparency, value for money and audit readiness.
• Monitor the procurement plan against budget and operational priorities to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Strengthen controls to minimize fraud, unauthorize purchases, and non-compliance.
• Promote accountability to reduce wastage, losses and mismanagement of park materials

FINANCE STAFF SUPERVISION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

• Lead and supervise finance personnel accountants, procurement officer, stores staff, cashier.
• Delegate tasks with clear responsibilities and proper segregation of duties.
• Manage performance and provide training to build skilled, motivated team.
• Promote integrity, transparency and accountability within the finance unit.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (Master’s degree is an added advantage)
• Professional accounting qualification referred (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CA
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial management, preferably within the NGO, conservation, or donor-funded sector.
• Proven experience in audit preparation and management.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, donor compliance requirements and statutory tax obligations
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in financial systems (e.g., Serenic) and advanced Excel skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated team leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Willingness to live and work full-time in a rural setting.
• Valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.

• Maintain full reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts in accordance with financial reporting standards.
• Deliver structured feedback and support to ensure all financial transactions are recorded with precision and completeness as well as offer ongoing guidance and oversight to accounts personnel to uphold the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Facilitate the timely preparation and dissemination of financial reports to meet the expectations of Donors, Government entities and APN.
• Generate timely financial performance reports and facilitate informed dialogue with the heads of department to ensure fiscal accountability and drive operational alignment.
• Oversee and optimize the organizations income collection to maximize revenue realization and accurate revenue capture.
• Maintain regular reconciliation of cash and bank accounts to verify alignment with recorded transactions.
• Supervise monthly and yearly closing processes.
• Ensure proper utilization of donor resources through budget tracking and variance analysis.
• Monitor incoming funds and reconcile donor receipts with grant agreements and bank statements.
• Coordinate with FRM to align donor budgets with operational plans and strategic priorities.
• Submission of all relevant tax returns in accordance with statutory requirements
• Maintain accurate records of tax filings and payments.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management systems.
• Coordinate external audits, prepare draft financial statements and necessary notes, and draft responses to audit management letters.
• Ensure the closure and resolution of audit findings.
• Verify compliance with concession agreements and assess the financial accuracy and completeness of concessionaire reporting.
• Compliance Management: Ensure adherence to labour laws, tax regulations, pension schemes and coordinate with HR for updates on employee data
• Risk Management: identify and mitigate risks related to payroll fraud, errors and data breaches
• Review and sign off monthly payroll.
• To oversee asset acquisition, utilization, depreciation and disposal in compliance with financial and regulatory standards
• Verification and Tagging: Coordinate physical verification and tagging of assets to confirm existence and condition.
• Disposal oversight: Manage asset disposal processes, ensuring proper authorization, documentation and accounting treatment
• Coordinate the annual budgeting cycle.
• Prepare rolling forecasts based on actual performance market trends and funding scenarios.
• Monitor daily cash positions and ensure sufficient liquidation for operational needs.
• Manage relations with financial institutions and oversee bank account administration.
• Review and authorize fund transfers, deposits and withdrawals.
• Supervise the stores department, ensuring accurate records and integrity of the management system.
• Oversee inflow and outflow of material, with proper documentation for receipts, stock issued and transferred.
• Implement inventory controls, including regular stock counts, reconciliations and timely variance reporting.
• Ensure compliance of stores processes with procurement, finance and audit requirements including correct inventory valuation.
• Provide oversight to the Procurement Officer, ensuring compliance with AP policies, donor requirements and statutory regulations.
• Oversee tenders, supplier evaluations, contracts and purchasing documentation to guarantee transparency, value for money and audit readiness.
• Monitor the procurement plan against budget and operational priorities to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Strengthen controls to minimize fraud, unauthorize purchases, and non-compliance.
• Promote accountability to reduce wastage, losses and mismanagement of park materials
• Lead and supervise finance personnel accountants, procurement officer, stores staff, cashier.
• Delegate tasks with clear responsibilities and proper segregation of duties.
• Manage performance and provide training to build skilled, motivated team.
• Promote integrity, transparency and accountability within the finance unit.

• Strong knowledge of IFRS, donor compliance requirements and statutory tax obligations
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in financial systems (e.g., Serenic) and advanced Excel skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated team leadership and mentorship capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (Master’s degree is an added advantage)
• Professional accounting qualification referred (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CA
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial management, preferably within the NGO, conservation, or donor-funded sector.
• Proven experience in audit preparation and management.
• Willingness to live and work full-time in a rural setting.
• Valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.