Finance Assistant

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Federation of National Associations of Women in Business (COMFWB) is a COMESA institution based in Lilongwe, Malawi. COMFWB was established by the COMESA Heads of States and Government in 1993 in pursuant of articles 154 and 155 of the COMESA Treaty, which recognize the role that women play in the economic and social transformation efforts of the region. The Treaty also recognizes the role of women in business especially their participation in Agriculture, Industry and Trade.

COMFWB is implementing its 2021-2025 Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) which aims to achieve the following strategic goals: To Strengthen the Institutional Capacity; To Strengthen the Resource Mobilization Capacity; To Strengthen Development Programs for Women in Business; and to Enhance the Advocacy, Public Image, and Branding of COMFWB.

In order to actualize the set-out development objectives, COMFWB intends to recruit for the following positions and hereby requests applications for the position from suitable candidates. Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of COMESA Member States residing in Malawi to fill the following vacant position in the Regular Established Structure of COMFWB Secretariat.

‍THE COMESA FEDERATION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS (COMFWB) CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION

JOB TITLE: Finance Assistant

‍GRADE: General Services, Level 9 (GS9)
SALARY SCALE: COM$12,549 – COM$18,203 per annum
DIVISION: Finance and Administration
TENURE: A fixed term of Five (5) years. Extension of contract is subject to the
performance of the contract holder and meeting the conditions of the
Staff Rules and Regulations.
DUTY STATION: Lilongwe
REPORTING TO: Senior Finance and Administrative Assistant – COMFWB

A-MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Regularly reconcile petty cash with internal records to ensure accuracy and proper documentation;
• Maintain an up-to-date fixed asset register by recording acquisitions, disposals, and transfers;
• Tag physical assets with identification numbers for tracking and inventory purposes.
• Compile and verify supporting documents for payment requests;
• Ensure all payment requests comply with organizational policies and procedures.
• Support the Senior Finance & Administrative Assistant in processing payments to vendors and service providers;
• Verify payment details and ensure timely disbursement;
• Handle banking transactions, including deposits and withdrawals;
• Organize and maintain a filing system for finance vouchers and administrative documents;
• Ensure documents are easily accessible for audits and reviews;
• Accurately enter financial data into the SUN accounting software;
• Generate financial reports as required;
• Manage COMFWB national Chapters membership subscriptions, including renewals and payments;
• Prepare and submit VAT refund claims to the relevant authorities;
• Ensure compliance with VAT regulations and timely follow-up on claims;
• Perform Any Additional Duties Assigned by Supervisor.

B-MINIMUM ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or CPA II, Or ACCA.

‍C-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Minimum working experience of 5 years in the same capacity.

D-COMPETENCES AND SKILLS

• Computer literate with significant experience in excel, accounting packages & Integra accounting system will be an added advantage.
• The candidate should be mature, with a stable personality and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Hands on experience in sun accounting software will be an added advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines and be well organized.
• Strong communication skills.
• Be adaptable and flexible with a view to taking on new tasks and new assignments in due course.

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT for the POSITION
Applicants must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two (2) or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION for the POSITION
Applicants must be citizens of a COMESA Member country and aged below fifty-five (55) years at the time of submitting the application.

MODE OF APPLICATION for the POSITION

All applications MUST be submitted to the COMFWB Secretariat on the prescribed APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMESA website:

Download ‍

All Applications must be sent electronically to jmasanche@comesa.int with the position being applied for in email subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

‍COMFWB is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women, with the requisite experience, are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applications must reach COMFWB Secretariat electronically by 18:00 hours on Monday 3rd February, 2025 and addressed to following:

The Chief Executive Officer
COMFWB Secretariat
OAK House 2nd Floor
P.O Box 1499
Lilongwe
Malawi
Email : jmasanche@comesa.int