Job description
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT @ NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE (NLGFC)
LOCATION: Lilongwe
POSITION: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (FMS)
PROJECT: Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O)
CREDIT / GRANT NO.: P512324
OVERVIEW
The Government of Malawi, through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), has received financing from the World Bank Group and the Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The funding is supported by the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom through FCDO, Germany through KIW, Iceland, and Norway.
The financing will support the implementation of the Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O) project.
NLGFC intends to use part of the proceeds to recruit qualified specialists and officers on three-year contracts, renewable annually based on performance and the availability of financial resources, or as mutually agreed by both parties.
NLGFC therefore invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates for the position of Financial Management Specialist.
JOB TYPE: Three-Year Contract, Renewable Annually
Date of Issue: Friday, 6th November 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 5:00 PM
Duty Station: NLGFC Offices, Lilongwe
Number of Positions: One (1)
POSITION: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (FMS)
JOB SUMMARY
The Financial Management Specialist is a senior and key member of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at NLGFC.
The successful candidate will ensure that all INSPIRE-O project financial resources are managed in accordance with the Financing Agreement, Government of Malawi public financial management regulations, the Project Implementation Manual (PIM), and World Bank financial management requirements.
The role is critical to ensuring that project resources are used efficiently, effectively, transparently, and for their intended purposes.
The Financial Management Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for day-to-day operational and management matters and will have a technical reporting line to the Director of Finance and Fiscal Decentralization.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience
Applicants must possess the following:
A Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and Finance.
A professional accounting qualification such as CPA (MW), ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent. This is mandatory.
Membership in a relevant professional body, such as ICAM or ACCA.
A minimum of eight (
years of progressive, post-qualification experience in financial management, accounting, or auditing in the public sector or donor-funded project environments.
Proven experience preparing financial statements in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Demonstrated experience in internal controls, risk management, and audit coordination.
Demonstrated experience in training, coaching, or on-the-job transfer of financial management knowledge.
ADDED ADVANTAGE
A Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
Practical knowledge and experience using computerised accounting and financial management systems, such as IFMIS, QuickBooks, SAP, or equivalent systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for financial analysis, reporting, reconciliation, and data management.
Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to identify financial trends, errors, control weaknesses, and non-compliant accounting practices.
In-depth knowledge of World Bank financial management procedures and Government of Malawi public financial management regulations.
Strong written and oral communication, analytical, coordination, and report-writing skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team and multicultural environment.
Capacity to manage multi-stakeholder coordination and Local Authority-level implementation oversight.
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and diplomatic skills when engaging with senior government officials, Local Authorities, development partners, and other stakeholders.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
High motivation, initiative, and a results-oriented approach.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Integrity, transparency, accountability, and professional ethics.
Commitment to anti-corruption and anti-bribery requirements.
DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Financial Planning, Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
Lead the timely preparation and consolidation of the project budget, including Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs), in close coordination with technical teams, the Project Coordinator, and relevant government ministries and departments.
Develop and monitor cash flow forecasts and ensure timely replenishment of funds to maintain adequate financial resources for project implementation.
Manage the project's designated and special bank accounts and ensure their timely and accurate reconciliation.
Prepare and submit withdrawal applications for fund disbursements, including replenishment of the Designated Account, direct payments, reimbursements, and special commitments in accordance with World Bank procedures.
2. Accounting, Financial Reporting and Compliance
Establish, operate, and maintain the project's financial management system to meet Government of Malawi and World Bank requirements.
Ensure compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and applicable Government accounting policies and regulations when preparing project financial statements.
Prepare and submit financial reports in accordance with World Bank requirements and Government of Malawi regulations, including Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) and audited financial statements, within prescribed timelines.
Ensure all supporting documents, records, and accounts relating to project activities are properly maintained, with a clear audit trail.
Maintain accurate and traceable tax schedules and ensure timely remittance of tax deductions to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
Coordinate the preparation and submission of consolidated financial reports from central and district levels, ensuring consistency between implementation progress and financial performance.
3. Internal Controls, Risk Management and Fiduciary Oversight
Design, implement, and periodically review the project's internal control framework to ensure that controls are adequate, effective, and operating as intended.
Ensure project resources are utilised in accordance with the Financing Agreement, Project Implementation Manual (PIM), and approved work plans and budgets, with due regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Verify contractual and financial details of invoices, payment requests, and interim or final itemised statements of account before processing payments.
Monitor the relationship between expenditure and physical outputs across project sites to ensure value for money.
Facilitate the development and maintenance of the project risk register, identifying financial risks and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
Ensure compliance with World Bank and Government of Malawi procurement and financial management requirements.
4. Audit Coordination and Follow-Up
Coordinate the project's internal and external audits, including preparation of audit documentation.
Respond to audit management letters in a timely manner.
Coordinate implementation of audit recommendations, track progress, and report on actions taken.
5. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer
Supervise, mentor, and strengthen the capacity of NLGFC and Local Authority teams in financial management, World Bank procedures, and fiduciary compliance.
Facilitate the development and maintenance of financial management procedure guidelines for the project.
Conduct financial management capacity-needs assessments for designated NLGFC staff, Local Authority personnel, and implementing partners involved in INSPIRE-O implementation.
Prepare and implement a time-bound capacity-building and on-the-job training plan covering financial management concepts, World Bank procedures, fiduciary compliance, and reporting procedures.
Prepare training materials and practical tools and deliver orientations, workshops, clinics, and hands-on coaching as agreed with the Project Coordinator.
Maintain evidence of knowledge-transfer activities, including topics, participants, materials, learning assessments, follow-up needs, and agreed actions.
Coach designated counterpart staff during live financial management activities to support the gradual transfer of responsibilities.
6. Strategic Financial Advisory and Coordination
Advise the Project Coordinator and Director of Finance on all project financial management, fiduciary, and internal control matters.
Coordinate closely with procurement and technical teams in developing and implementing annual work plans, budgets, and cash flows in line with project objectives.
7. Reporting, Records and Coordination
Prepare reports and outputs that provide concise analysis of progress, problems, risks, decisions required, and next steps.
Establish and maintain an organised financial record-keeping system, including electronic and physical records, with appropriate indexes and version control.
Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date project financial records on the funds chain platform, with consistent reconciliation against the project accounting system and Client Connection.
Prepare a complete assignment handover package containing the current financial management status, pending actions, key records, capacity-building outputs, and recommendations.
DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The Financial Management Specialist's performance will be assessed against the timeliness, quality, accuracy, and completeness of the following deliverables, as specified in the approved project documents, including the Project Implementation Manual (PIM):
Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs).
Financial reports, including Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, and audited financial statements.
Reports and action plans arising from World Bank Implementation Support Missions.
Contributions to Annual Project Performance Reports and the Project Implementation Completion Report (ICR).
Audit reports and audit follow-up reports, including monitoring the implementation of agreed audit recommendations.
Capacity-building reports and training materials.
Final project handover package, including all relevant financial records, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Performance will be assessed against the following:
Timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs) and financial reports.
Implementation performance against approved Annual Work Plans and Budgets.
Compliance with applicable financial management and fiduciary requirements, including timely resolution of identified control weaknesses and audit issues.
Establishment and maintenance of a complete and well-organised financial filing system, ensuring a clear and complete audit trail.
Strengthening of financial management capacity across NLGFC and Local Authorities.
Effectiveness of financial risk management, including identification, monitoring, and mitigation of risks at district level.
Timely submission of financial performance reports and other required financial management deliverables.
REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
The Financial Management Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for day-to-day operational and administrative matters.
For technical financial management matters, the Specialist will have a functional reporting line to the Director of Finance and Fiscal Decentralization.
The Specialist must promptly disclose any matter that may materially affect financial integrity, compliance, schedule, cost, contract performance, or achievement of the assignment objectives, and recommend practical corrective action for consideration by authorised Client representatives.
FACILITIES AND CLIENT INPUTS
NLGFC will provide reasonable facilities necessary for the performance of the services, including:
Office space, furniture, and office equipment.
Communication and internet facilities.
Access to relevant project documents, reports, systems, and designated counterpart staff, subject to applicable access controls.
Official travel outside the duty station will require prior written authorisation. NLGFC will provide or pay for authorised transport and applicable subsistence allowances (per diems) in accordance with the contract and applicable Government rates.
The contract will clarify whether each eligible cost is paid directly by NLGFC or reimbursed against supporting documentation.
OWNERSHIP, CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORDS
All reports, registers, tools, training materials, databases, records, and other products prepared specifically under the assignment will be the property of NLGFC, subject to the terms of the contract.
The Financial Management Specialist must maintain confidentiality of non-public information received or generated during the assignment and use it only for the performance of the services.
At completion or termination of the assignment, the successful candidate must return or hand over all Client records, access devices, working files, and final outputs in an organised and usable form.
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
The assignment will run for three (3) years, with annual contract renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project resources.
SELECTION AND REMUNERATION
Selection Method: Individual Consultant selection in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sixth Edition, February 2025.
Remuneration: A competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following documents:
An application letter.
A concise Curriculum Vitae (CV).
A copy of National ID.
Copies of relevant original academic and professional certificates.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Executive Director
National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)
Area 14, Red Cross Building
Presidential Way
P.O. Box 31162
Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Email: recruitment@nlgfc.gov.mw
Closing Date: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 5:00 PM
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
NLGFC is an equal opportunity employer committed to gender equality and diversity in its operations. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.