Job offer: Finance Officer

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY & NUTRITION

CIRCULAR NO. 4 OF 2024.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following positions that are tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition:

MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY & NUTRITION

DEPARTMENT : CROPS

TITLE : FINANCE OFFICER

GRADE : G

RESPONSIBLE TO : ASSISTANT FINANCE MANAGER

LOCATION : MASERU

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE ASSISTANT FINANCE MANAGER, THE INCUMBENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVENUE COLLECTION, BANKING OF CASH, PROMPT PAYMENT OF SUPPLIERS OF GOODS, SERVICES AND WORKS, KEEPING PROPER RECORDS FOR REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AND SUPERVISING SUBORDINATE ACCOUNTING STAFF.

MAIN DUTIES

1. To supervise payment process

• Checks supporting documents against the payment vouchers
• Approves, print and sign payment voucher
• Upholds the payment
• Submits payment vouchers for examination
• Distributes cheques

2.  To supervise and account for revenue and trust monies collected

• Receives and registers receipt books and revenue stamps
• Issues receipt books and revenue stamps to revenue collectors
• Checks that revenue collected corresponds with receipts issued
• Accounts for cash collected and receipt books issued
• Analyses revenue collected according to the denominations2
• Books revenue collected into the system
• Keep proper record of all financial transactions related to, but not limited to, revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities, under his/her responsibility
  • Issue acknowledgement receipts.

3.  To bank revenue collected

• Prepares collector’s statement and deposit slips.
• Deposits collections in the bank.
• Accounts for deposits through bank confirmation slips.

4.  To supervise staff

• Implements sectional annual operational plan.
• Ascertains implementation of individual work plans
• Conducts annual performance appraisals on individual supervisees to assess their performance against the set standards and to identify training and development needs.
• Organizes training for accounting staff.
• Implements the budget.
  • Disciplines staff under his/her supervision.

JOB SPECIFICATIONSEducation and Training

Chartered Accountant/Master of Commerce in Accounting/Master of Accounting/Master of Business Studies in Accounting) or recognized equivalent Masters accounting degree

OR

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), or Bachelor of Accounting, or recognized equivalent accounting degree

Plus

Three (3) years work experience in an accounting/finance field.

OR

General Accountant, or CIPFA Diploma, or recognized equivalent professional accounting qualification

Plus

Two (2) years work experience in an accounting/finance field. Membership of a recognized professional body is an added advantage.

Other Relevant Knowledge

• Familiarity with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP), especially the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), is essential
• Familiarity with the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS) is an added advantage
• Knowledge of Public Service Act and Regulations is an added advantage
• Knowledge of Procurement Regulations, Treasury Regulations 2014 and Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011 is an added advantage
• Computer literacy is essential.

How to apply:

Applications on relevant forms, (obtainable from the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security), GP 104 for serving officers and GP 103 for job seekers duly accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts, National Identity Document, and up-to-date performance appraisal forms for serving officers.

All applications must be hand delivered or addressed to:
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition
P.O. Box 24
Maseru – 100

Not later than the 13th November, 2024