Finance Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ KAMUZU UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

POSITION: FINANCE OFFICER

Location: Blantyre

OVERVIEW

The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) is a University and Centre of Excellence in health education, research, and innovation whose mission is 'to advance knowledge, professional competencies, skills, and innovations in health sciences through high-quality student-centred and innovative education and research that responds to and influences the global/national policy, health, and development needs in an efficient, sustainable, and result oriented manner

KUHeS is actively engaged in a wide range of research programmes and initiatives and currently manages a substantial portfolio of externally funded research projects, grants and strategic partnerships supported by various local and international funding agencies and development partners. The growing volume and complexity of externally funded projects and grants has increased the need for dedicated financial management capacity to ensure effective stewardship of research funds, compliance with funding conditions, timely financial reporting, and sound financial accountability.

In response to this need, the University is inviting applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment to the following non-established positions.

1. Finance Officer (3 positions)

Grade : KU8

Department : Directorate of Finance and Investments

Responsible to : Finance Manager

Responsible for : Assistant Finance Officer

Contract Duration : 2 years

Employment type : Full-Time, non-established

Job Summary

The job entails management of the day-to-day financial transactions of the grants and involves budgeting, transaction processing, accounting, expenditure monitoring and control, financial reporting and coordination of audits. The Finance Officer will also be responsible for ensuring compliance to grant regulations, terms and conditions and relevant financial policies.

The Finance Officer will, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, regularly liaise with the KUHeS Finance Manager in all financial issues.

The position exists specifically to support project and research-related financial management functions and will be funded from research income and project-specific funding. It will therefore not form part of the University's established staff complement, and appointments will be subject to the availability and continuity of research funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance Officer will, among others, be expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Process payments that are due, ensuring that all source documents are checked and matched with the payment voucher before any payment is approved.

Oversee and coordinate the timely disbursement of program funds in accordance with work plan and ensure spending is within the budget limit

Capture data of transactions into SAGE ACCPAC ERP.

Prepare monthly management accounts for decision making, taking into account the following:

Analysis of grant expenditure against budget to see any variances that need to be reported to the Director of Finance or Finance Manager and Principal Investigators.

Monitoring budget line variances and ensure that these are within allowed limits

Provide timely response and feedback to leadership on grant financial Issues

Retire cash imprests and other advances for grants activities.

Reconcile all banks, receivables and payables accounts and report all unusual transactions.

Maintain fixed asset register for the grant.

Prepare financial reports for review by Director of Finance and Finance Manager before sending to donors or before audits.

Adhere to internal control standards and donor requirements

Liaise with the Payroll Accountants to ensure that correct salaries are remitted into the central salaries account and payments are done and accounted for accordingly.

Prepare schedules for receivables and payables ensuring timely collection and payment.

Check daily bank balances as part of treasury management to ensure that accounts are not overdrawn unnecessarily and advising the Finance Manager and Principal Investigator when funds should be transferred from the FCDA accounts to respective Local accounts.

Act as a Desk Officer (first point of contact) with all Grants Officers and Project staff on all financial issues.

Required Education, Skills and Experience

Eligible applicants for this position are expected to satisfy the following minimum requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy or equivalent

Qualified accountant with CIMA or ACCA or CA will have an added advantage

Minimum of 3 years' working experience in projects

Knowledge of ACCPAC

Strong skills in Excel

Ability to work with little or no supervision in a very fast-paced and deadline-driven environment

Demonstrate well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation skills

Application Procedure

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send their applications including a cover letter, copies of relevant certificates, CV with names, emails, and contacts of three professional referees to:

The Registrar

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Mahatma Gandhi Road Campus

P/Bag 360

Chichiri

Blantyre 3

Or email to: recruitment@kuhes.ac.mw

Indicate the title of the position being applied for on the envelope for hard copy applications and indicate the same in the subject line of your email for electronic submissions.

Applications should reach the Registrar not later than 31st August 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.