The Root and Tuber Improvement Marketing Programme (RTIMP) aims at improving food security and incomes of the poor rural households in Ghana with special emphasis on women and other vulnerable groups. The project is mainly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Ghana.

The Programme wishes to strengthen its financial department and therefore invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for immediate appointment. The Financial Controller will be based at the PCO in Kumasi and will be responsible for maintaining all programme accounts in good order. He/she will report directly to the Programme Coordinator and form an integral part of Programme Management.

Specific responsibilities will include but not limited to the following:

•   Responsible for managing the accounting/reporting systems to ensure that the Programme Management is informed of on-going financial transactions/activities and that ZO Coordinators and officers, as well as the Implementation Partners, have a clear view of their financial responsibilities, the funds available and the requirements of reporting and record keeping in accordance with prevailing Government of Ghana practices which are acceptable to IFAD;
•   Prepare financial statements using acceptable accounting principles, concepts and conventions with due consideration to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), IFAD Financial Administration requirements, and the Government of Ghana Financial Administration Act, 2003 (ACT 654).
•   Maintain a computerized accounting system;
•   Maintain all accounting records in an appropriate form and liaise with external auditors for regular auditing (at least once a year) of the programme’s accounts taking into consideration the required submission dates for the programme.
•   Ensure that funds for programme (including counterpart funds) have been provided for implementation and are used in accordance with the conditions of the loan agreement, with due attention to economy and efficiency and only for the purpose for which the funds were provided
•   Prepare and submit withdrawal applications to 1FAD and follow up to ensure that the Programme is not starved of funding.
•   Ensure that funds for programme implementation are disbursed in a timely manner to enable programme interventions be carried out on time;
•   Follow up on all Programme funds released to implementing entities and technical partners for timely retirement and proper utilization.
•   Ensure that all necessary supporting documents, records and accounts have been kept in respect of all programme activities. Clear linkages exist between the books of account and the financial statements presented to the financiers as well as level of disbursement and physical completion stage.
•   Designated accounts have been maintained in accordance with the provisions of the loan agreement.
•   Follow up on issues arising from the AWP/B process. Responsible for the processing, Documentation and follow up of disbursements from GoG and IFAD to ensure that releases are not unduly delayed;
•   Prepare half-yearly consolidated statements of Programme accounts as an integral part of the Management Information system for submission to the RTIMP National Programme Steering Committee, and subsequently to MoFA, IFAD and CI;
•   Assist and ensure that goods and services have been procured in accordance with the loan agreement and in accordance with the GoG and IFAD rules and procedures.
•   A counter-signatory to programme fund releases as required for Programme financial transactions and also sign as witness to all contracts as much as possible;
•   Prepare monthly Statement of Expenditure and quarterly reports regarding aspects of Programme Financial Monitoring bringing out variances and advising component heads as to the limits of expenditure.
•   Prepare annually: (i) balance sheets, which should disclose bank and cash balances (that should agree with the statement of sources and application of funds), fixed assets and liabilities; (ii) yearly and cumulative Statement of Expenditures (SOEs) by withdrawal application and category of expenditures; and (iii) reconciliation of the Special Account;
•   Ensure that SOEs expenditures are carefully compared for eligibility with relevant financial agreements, and the disbursement letter, and with reference to the Programme Design Report for guidance when necessary.
•   Oversee tax matters of the Programme, ensuring that tax exemptions for the procurement of goods for the Programme are secured at the appropriate time.
•   Ensure that fixed assets are well accounted for and annual verification is done indicating conditions of assets and their location appropriately.
•   Maintain asset register for all assets purchased by the program and prepare monthly report on equipment;
•   Supervise the preparation of monthly Bank Reconciliation Statements, summary of cash balances, monthly cash budgets and of Petty Cash Reconciliation report;
•   Assist the NPC with the general management of the Programme finances and all other assignments as and when required.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Qualified Accountant with ACCA, CA (Ghana), CA (England and Wales) or CPA;
•   At  least  5  years  post  qualification  working  experience   in   financial management;
•   At least 5 years of practical working experience with Government of Ghana and donor-funded projects;
•   Have good computer skills in general, in particular have good command of software used in finance and accounting;
•   Having good experience with IFAD- financed projects and knowledge of TOMPRO, Pastel or SCALA software is an advantage; Excellent writing and presentation skills;
•   Ability to pay attention to details;
•   Leadership qualities and willingness and ability to work in a team;
•   Must be committed to meeting deadlines;
•   Willingness to work extra hours and sometimes on weekends or when required.

Location: Kumasi

How To Apply For The Job

Remuneration: Competitive salary.
Job Duration: One (1) year, renewable based on performance.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply

Qualified and interested applicants should send application letters with copies of curriculum vitae, certificates and other relevant documents to;

The National Programme Coordinator
Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
P.O. Box 7728
Cadbury Hall, Asokwa
Kumasi, Ghana

Closing Date: 17 February, 2014

Please indicate telephone, fax numbers and email address to facilitate early and easy contact.