Finance Associate

Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi

Department: Finance

Reporting to: Finance and IT Manager

Hours of Work: 40 per week

Anticipated Grade: Associate

Schedule A: Scope of Work

1. Scope of Work

Company Overview:

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a global team and network of experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.

Project Overview:

The Ireland-funded Malawi Growth Poles Project is a five-year project that will accelerate environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable, resilient, and more inclusive wealth generation in Malawi by mobilizing rural based private sector investments and partnerships with anchor firms and their surrounding communities, smallholder organizations, cooperatives, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in a growth pole approach, with a youth and gender lens. In short, the Growth Poles Project is a partnership with private sector to drive resilient prosperity that will improve food security, incomes, jobs, and exports in Malawi.

Role Description:

The Finance Associate plays a central role in supporting the effective financial management of the Growth Poles Project. S/he ensures timely and accurate financial reporting, maintains compliance with financial procedures, and assists with day-to-day financial operations including transaction processing, documentation, tax reporting, and reconciliation. The Finance Associate works closely with the Finance & IT Manager, and other operations staff to ensure smooth financial workflows and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Assist in compiling and preparing monthly expenditure reports to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Support the preparation and review of financial documentation, performing basic calculations
• Assist in preparing payment vouchers for all financial transactions, ensuring they are properly signed, accurately filed, and supported with complete documentation in accordance with financial procedures.
• Generate monthly summaries and schedules for withholding tax payments and ensure timely submission to relevant authorities.
• Prepare withholding tax certificates for transactions where tax was withheld but certificates were not previously issued.
• Compile summaries of VAT paid on project-related expenses and assist in preparing claims for eligible VAT refunds.
• Update and maintain financial registers, including travel advance, cash and baand tax registers, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.
• Manage petty cash transactions, including disbursement, reconciliation, and documentation, in line with financial procedures.
• Recording financial transactions in QuickBooks.
• Assist in coordinating vehicle fueling activities by maintaining accurate fuel usage records, compiling fuel reconciliation reports, and ensuring documentation aligns with organizational procedures and audit requirements.

2. Hours of Work: 40 hours per week.

3. Reporting: The employee shall report to the Finance and IT Manager.

4. Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Management, or a closely related field from a recognized institution.
• At least 3 years of related experience preferred.
• Problem-solving skills with experience identifying and suggesting solutions to challenges as they arise.
• Demonstrated proficiency in QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word, with the ability to manage financial data accurately and efficiently.
• Demonstrated eye for detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with technical project staff, including the ability to collaborate and communicate clearly.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple deadlines with limited guidance, while maintaining high standards in quality of work.
• Proven experience in taking on growth opportunities, demonstrating adaptability and willingness to expand responsibilities.
• Ability to work in Malawi.

How to apply:

Interested applicants must send their Curriculum Vitae with cover letter and copies of certificates indicating position being applied for in the subject matter to HRGPMW@thepalladiumgroup.com  by 17:00hrs on Friday 17^th October 2025.