Vacancy title:
Project Accountant

Jobs at:
Land O'Lakes

Deadline of this Job:
Friday, October 12, 2018.

Duty Station:
Kigali, Rwanda

Summary
Date Posted: 5th October 2018 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed , Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Company

JOB DETAILS:

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Project Accountant
Cooperative Development Project-4 (CD4)
Kigali, Rwanda

Background:
Land O’Lakes International Development is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose vision is to be a global leader in transforming lives by engaging in agriculture and enterprise partnerships that replace poverty with prosperity, and dependency with self-reliance. We leverage Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s near-century of history by engaging in international agriculture and economic development programs, implementing more than 280 programs in 80 countries since 1981.

Project Description:
Land O’Lakes International Development is implementing a cooperative development project in Rwanda, Cooperative Development Program – 4 (CD4).
Land O’Lakes Cooperative Development Program (CDP) has pursued the goal of increasing the performance of cooperative enterprises to improve the livelihoods of their members and contribute to building more inclusive and resilient communities. Over the past 6 years, Land O’Lakes has partnered with cooperatives in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda to help improve cooperative performance in response to evolving market conditions. Our recent work in the dairy sector focused on partnering with cooperatives that have leveraged economies of scale through horizontal or vertical integration—working with each partner to improve operational management, organizational governance, and business decision-making.

CD4 is now focused on two countries: Rwanda and Malawi working with both cooperatives as well as with apex organizations, academic institutions, and service providers.

Position Summary and Primary Responsibilities:
The Cooperative Development Accountant will serve as Land O'Lakes International Development’s cooperative development finance staff and also support other administrative tasks of the cooperative development activities in Rwanda. The primary role is to provide accounting and financial oversight (70%) and program support (30%) for USAID Cooperative Development Program – CD4, operating in Rwanda focusing on dairy, maize, soybeans and/or other horticulture products. This position is project based with an initial end date of June 2023.

The individual will provide accounting support to the CD4 project. S/he will be responsible for preparing and recording accounting transactions and ensuring all transactions are properly documented. S/he will also be responsible for various administrative functions. This support will be conducted in accordance with Land O'Lakes and donor regulations. Program management duties such as report writing, event planning, procurement of supplies and services, and management of consultants is required.

Accounting responsibilities;

• Prepare payment vouchers and ensure all supporting documents are included with each payment in accordance with Land O’Lakes and donor policies and procedures;
  
• Assist in the management and reconciliations of LOL bank accounts;
  
• Ensure all established Land O’Lakes and donor policies and procedures are followed for authorizations for travel and purchases;
  
• Ensure that all creditors and debtors accounts are reconciled and accruals schedules prepared on a monthly basis by the required due date;
  
• Maintain the office lease and manage service contracts required for office support (electricity, internet, etc.);
  
• Maintain the office petty cash and related records;
  
• In coordination with HQ project staff, assist with the preparation of monthly budgets and forecasts, as well as monthly financial statements, for the project according to LOL and donor requirements;
  
• Prepare monthly payroll and process salary payments for CD4 staff in Rwanda;
  
• Submit timely required salary statutory deductions to the relevant government authorities on a monthly basis, ensuring that no penalties are incurred for late or incorrect submissions;
  
• Maintain the medical insurance contract and any other benefits;
  
• Prepare the month-end financial reporting package and submit to Land O'Lakes headquarters office in Minnesota;
  
• File all required tax returns, VAT reporting and other official documents to the local government;
  
• Ensure that registration is maintained with relevant Government agencies;
  
• Ensure Land O'Lakes is fully compliant with all the relevant government authorities;
  
• Supervise all administrative components of the main program office;
  
• Utilize established LOL systems, Costpoint, Amber Road and SharePoint (DevLink) to accomplish work and store key project documents;
  
• Review and process cost share collected by other Land O’Lakes staff;
  
• Provide honest, timely feedback to Management on how to improve operations;
  
• Remain in contact with HQ’s appropriate staff for all financial request and inquiries; and
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  Project Administrative responsibilities;
  
• Support the recruitment of consultants to fulfill technical assignments; including advertising, interviewing, conducting due diligence and making payments once approved by the Program Manager;
  
• Support the procurement process; including, but not limited to, development of TORs, advertisement, evaluation of bids, the creation of Purchase Orders;
  
• Assist with carrying out administrative assistance duties at the project’s country office;
  
• Assist with event planning, coordination, and logistics;
  
• Coordinate travel logistics for staff and consultants;
  
• Travel to partner locations to assist with the collection of cost share figures;
  
• Travel to partner locations to assist with the collection of M&E indicators, when needed;
  
• Travel to partner locations to facilitate proper delivery of workshop/training and or other events;
  
• Other duties as called upon to ensure sound accounting and program support;
  
• Keep and maintain files as required to be compliant under the cooperative agreement; and
  
• Utilize SharePoint (DevLink), a knowledge management system, to upload and retain key documents and project deliverables.
  

Reporting & Supervision:
Supervised by the Chief of Party. Day to day collaboration with the Rwanda Cooperative Development Manager.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of four years professional experience in an accounting role.
  
• A university degree in Accounting or any other relevant Business Degree.
  
• Advanced knowledge of computers required (MS Excel, Word, Explorer, and PowerPoint).
  
• Advanced English and Kinyarwanda communication skills, both oral and written.
  
• Must be detail oriented, proactive, flexible and able to solve problems.
  
• Ability to travel outside of Kigali 10-20% to meet with project partners and support activities.
  
• Previous experience working with U.S. Government grants and agreements.
  
• Experience managing multiple deliverables with multiple partners.
  
• A proven proactive team player, who is able to also work with minimal supervision.
  
• Customer service oriented.
  
• Available to work evening and weekend hours when necessary to accomplish work successfully.
  

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• ACCA/CPA qualifications.
  
• Past experience supporting procurements.
  
• Past experience with consultants.
  
• Past experience with agricultural programs in Rwanda