Finance and Administration Officer

About DMI

 

Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in developing countries. We are the first organisation to scientifically demonstrate that mass media can increase life-saving behaviours (see the results of our RCT that proved our interventions can save thousands of children’s lives, here).

 

DMI has two priorities: first, to continue to generate ground-breaking research, second, to take our proven strategies to scale, saving as many lives as possible. We work across a range of health issues, including child survival, maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and early childhood development. DMI works in close partnership with leading experts in health, including WHO, UNICEF and LSHTM and has been funded by some of the world’s most prestigious organisations including the Wellcome Trust, DFID, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.

 

We are an innovative and rapidly growing organisation, working at the nexus between science and creativity. DMI has demonstrated that knowledge is not only a human right but is also the key to saving lives in a cost-effective way. Our intellectual rigour, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from both our successes and mistakes, makes us distinct. Our ethos is non-hierarchical: all our staff are intellectually high-powered, and we have a “best idea wins” culture. By working at DMI you will have a genuine, measurable impact on improving lives in low-income countries.

 

DMI has a permanent presence in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia and also currently works in Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Mauritania. DMI’s headquarters overlooks is in London and provides the strategic direction for the whole organisation.

 

DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations in the world by The Life You Can Save.

 

Find out more on our website.

 

Job description

 

DMI has been established in Zambia since 2019 and works in close partnership with the Ministry of Health to deliver campaigns in support of government priorities. To date we have run national radio, TV, and social media campaigns and have delivered discreet pilot and research projects addressing a range of issues including modern contraceptive uptake, Covid-19 prevention and vaccination, and mental health. DMI is currently running an ambitious national radio campaign addressing reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and pursuing several new funding opportunities in our pipeline.

 

The Zambia office is a small team comprising six staff covering all DMI’s core specialisms including strategy, operations, research, production and campaign management. The Finance and Administration Officer will play a critical role within the team, managing day-to-day financial operations in line with DMI policies and processes, ensuring the effective running of the office, and supporting colleagues to ensure projects are delivered efficiently generate impact. Key working relationships include the Country Manager and DMI’s UK-based Finance and Operations team.

 

More specifically, the Finance and Administration Officer role will include the following responsibilities:

 

1.    Ensuring the complete and accurate bookkeeping (in excel) of all DMI Zambia’s transactions and reporting these in a timely manner. This includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash accounts, and payroll, with all transactions documented appropriately and relevant accounts reconciled each month.

2.    Assisting with cash management processes, including setting up payments for approval on the banking portal, having responsibility for the office cash float, and reconciling staff advances for project expenditure.

3.    Ensuring that DMI Zambia complies with all relevant financial legislation, including ZRA, NHIMA, NAPSA, Workers Compensation, filing financial statements and annual returns. You will also ensure DMI Zambia operates in line with DMI’s global policies and processes, particularly those related to financial management and procurement.

4.    Undertaking administrative and logistics tasks to ensure the effective running of the DMI Zambia office, including sourcing suppliers, procurement, contract drafting, preparation of travel forms, arranging workshops and meetings, maintaining office supplies and services.

5.    Supporting DMI project delivery, including participating in research and monitoring field trips, note taking, monitoring and analysing broadcast reports, maintaining databases of contractors and project outputs.

6.    Other tasks as required.

 

Person specification

 

Required knowledge, skills and experience

1.    Full professional qualification in ZICA, ACCA, CPA, or another internationally recognized accounting certification or equivalent professional experience. Part qualified candidates with suitable experience will also be considered.

2.    Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in finance or accounting role, ideally in the NGO sector.

3.    Strong knowledge of donor reporting requirements and compliance procedures.

4.    Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail; able to manage complex documentation and filing systems.

5.    Analytical skills with the ability to generate and present financial data and findings effectively.

6.    Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Office Suite applications; comfort with digital tools for procurement and data management. Fluent English (written and spoken).

 

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience

1.    Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Business Administration or a related field.

2.    Familiarity with safeguarding, anti-fraud, and risk mitigation policies in the NGO context. Experience supporting external audits and preparing financial statements or donor reports.

3.    Experience using QuickBooks or other accounting software.

4.    Able to speak, read and write in other Zambian languages.

 

DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

 

DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.