Evangelical Lutheran Development Service
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
JOB DESCRIPTION – FINANCE OFFICER
Position Title: FINANCE OFFICER
Reporting To: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ELDS)
Overall, Purpose of the Position
The Finance Officer is the head of the Finance Section at ELDS and has overall responsibility for the management, accounting, and reporting of all organizational and project funds and resources. The position ensures that all financial transactions are accurate, timely, and fully compliant with ELDS policies, donor requirements, and applicable laws and regulations of Malawi. It also supports ELDS’s Christian, faith based mission by promoting integrity, transparency, and faithful stewardship of resources entrusted by local and international partners.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Budgeting and Planning
Coordinate and lead the preparation of annual and project budgets in consultation with programme and procurement team, ensuring alignment with approved work plans and procurement plans.
Support revision and reforecasting of budgets during the year and monitor budget utilisation, advising Management on variances, risks, and opportunities for reallocation. - Financial Accounting and Record Keeping
Oversee the maintenance of up to date financial records in line with generally accepted accounting principles and ELDS financial policies.
Ensure accurate recording and coding of all transactions by project, donor, cost centre, and budget line, and maintain complete supporting documentation to facilitate reviews and audits. - Financial Reporting
Produce timely and accurate monthly management accounts, bank reconciliations and other internal financial reports within agreed deadlines.
Prepare donor financial reports in line with grant agreements and reporting formats, ensuring consistency between financial and narrative reports, and manage expenditure returns and cash flow projections. - Internal Controls, Compliance and Risk Management
Review and strengthen internal control systems, financial procedures, and methods to reduce financial risk.
Ensure that all disbursements and payments comply with ELDS standing instructions, donor rules, procurement procedures and statutory requirements, and verify the quality and eligibility of all payment and withdrawal requests.
Coordinate preparation for internal, external and donor audits and follow up implementation of audit recommendations. - Cash, Bank and Treasury Management
Ensure timely disbursement of funds for operational and administrative activities, including field operations, in line with approved budgets and cash flow projections.
Oversee preparation and review of bank reconciliations for all project accounts and monitor cash balances and fund transfers to avoid liquidity gaps. - Donor, Grants and Partner Management
Interpret donor financial guidelines and ensure that expenditures and reports comply with each funding agreement.
Support development and review of partner and sub grantee budgets and reports, and work closely with program staff to align financial planning with program delivery. - Systems, Tools and Capacity Building
Oversee the use and maintenance of the organisation’s computerized accounting system and related financial tools, ensuring data integrity and proper backups.
Contribute to continuous improvement of financial procedures, tools and templates, and provide financial guidance and on the job support to junior finance staff and other staff. - Values, Ethics and Faith Based Identity
Demonstrate high standards of professional ethics, honesty, and confidentiality in handling financial information and resources.
Promote and model ELDS’s Christian, faith based values in financial stewardship, ensuring transparency, accountability and respect for beneficiaries and partners. - Supervision of accounts staff:
Provide guidance and support to staff within the finance department to effectively carry out their duties.
Qualifications, Experience and Competencies
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy), Bachelor of Accountancy, or equivalent degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
- Professional accounting qualification or active progress towards ACCA, CIMA, ICAM or equivalent; and/or a MSc in accounting and Finance, or Masters in Business Administration (MBA) or related field will be considered an added advantage
- At least five (5) years’ relevant experience in finance or accounting, preferably in a senior or lead Finance Officer role.
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in donor funded projects (local and/or international), including budget monitoring and donor reporting.
- Experience in working with NGOs or faith based organisations.
- Proficiency in computerized accounting systems and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
Strong understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and donor compliance requirements. - Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and provide leadership to the finance function.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, and a high level of integrity, reliability and commitment to ELDS’s vision and values.
Interested candidates should submit their applications with CVs plus at least three traceable references not later than 15th June, 2026.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Executive Director
Evangelical Lutheran Development Service
P/Bag 25
LILONGWE.
Email: info@eldsmw.org.
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
ELDS is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.