Our partner is a farmer-led NGO based in northern Malawi, working with around 15,000 smallholder farmers to improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience and livelihoods.
Its programmes use agroecology, farmer-led research and indigenous knowledge to improve soil health, restore ecosystems and strengthen rural communities. Current projects include forest regeneration, seed diversity, climate adaptation, sustainable farming, nutrition and market access, alongside work promoting gender equality and women’s leadership.
The organisation manages a significant portfolio of donor-funded projects but its financial processes remain largely paper and Excel-based. This can make reporting time-consuming and makes it harder for management to access timely financial information across multiple restricted projects.
They are seeking an experienced volunteer accountant or finance professional to undertake an initial review of the organisation’s systems and help establish stronger foundations for budgeting, reporting and future digitisation.
Key areas of support are likely to include:
- Carrying out a finance health check of existing processes and controls
- Reviewing bookkeeping, reconciliations, payment processes and supporting documentation
- Assessing suitable accounting software and advising on options for digitising the accounts
- Strengthening organisational and project-level budgeting
- Improving the allocation and monitoring of shared and core costs
- Strengthening donor reporting and project financial tracking
- Developing practical financial management and reporting tools
- Creating a phased roadmap for future accounting system implementation
- Coaching finance and management staff to help embed improvements
This first placement will primarily be diagnostic and developmental, with the possibility of a second volunteer placement to support implementation of the chosen accounting system.
The placement would suit a practical and adaptable finance professional who is comfortable reviewing existing systems, working closely with local staff and recommending solutions appropriate to an organisation operating in a relatively remote environment.
The organisation is looking for a volunteer as soon as availability allows, for a placement of approximately four weeks.
Affordable accommodation, including breakfast, is available at the organisation’s on-site guesthouse.
