Finance Officer - Partner, Budget, Reporting and Compliance

About the role

Save the Children Zambia is looking for a Finance Officer (Grade 4) for its Zambia Finance Team in Lusaka. The post reports to the Finance Coordinator and covers budget preparation, partner and contract management, reporting and compliance. The role has no direct staff reporting to it and no budget responsibility.

Key responsibilities

• Budget preparation, management and monitoring: prepare cost proposals for new programmes and grant modifications, maintain budget availability information, update BvA reports, produce Budget vs. Actuals analyses, advise and train budget holders, and take part in monthly budget monitoring meetings.
• Partner and contract management: advise budget holders on using funding portfolios, ensure donor regulations are followed, submit donor financial reports on time, lead award close-out and reconciliation, review partner financial reports, and provide capacity building to partners.
• Sub-award management: review sub-grantee proposals and budgets, take part in awarding sub-grants, organise finance capacity-building training, review sub-grantee reports and variances, visit sub-grantees in the field, and monitor financial implementation.
• Compliance: implement the country office finance manual and strengthen internal controls, review partner advances and debtors monthly, reconcile accounts, review reclassifications and expenses, and ensure payments and journals comply with SCI, donor and national laws.
• Other duties: assist with audit documentation, advise on local laws such as taxation and social security, review monthly cash projections, and adapt to emergency situations.

Required profile

• BS in Accounting/Finance or a related field.
• Recommended 4+ years of experience in budgeting and grant management in an international organisation.
• Experience with donor financial policies such as USAID, CDC, ECHO, UNICEF, UNHCR and others.
• Good sense of responsibility, organisational and communication skills, and excellent spoken and written English.
• Commitment to Save the Children's aims, values and rights-based approach.

Required skills

• Computerised accounting packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Spreadsheets and data analysis (Excel and Access); familiarity with accounting software preferred.
• Analytical skills to turn complex financial data into management information.

Applicants must attach a cover letter and an updated CV; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications close on 10 November 2026.