Unifi Africa is a fast-growing financial technology company operating in Zambia, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya. Unifi Zambia delivers personal lending products from physical branch and digital channels, utilising internally generated software and lending products backed by IT and data analytics teams based in South Africa. The company is well supported by strong shareholders and a board of directors with vast experience in entrepreneurship and lending.

Unifi Zambia is a subsidiary of Unifi Africa and is recruiting a new senior member of the Zambian finance team to manage and build the financial operations activities of the organisation during its expansion. The ideal candidate must balance financial diligence with entrepreneurial energy, be analytically adept, and have a passion for African business. A healthy spirit of adventure and sense of humour would be helpful. Some travel may be required, mainly within Zambia but on occasion across borders to visit other Unifi businesses.

Core Job Functions 

Main Purpose:

To establish, improve and maintain an effective environment from which Finance can support both itself as well as the business.

Core roles:

• Improve financial status through analysing of results, monitoring variances, identifying trends, and recommending actions to management.
• Producing financial reports and developing strategies and plan for the long-term financial goals of the business.
• Maintenance of certain balance sheet accounts.
• Cash flow planning.
• Financial analysis.
• Financial Reporting.
• Conceptualise, design, and implement financial projects.
• Advising on /insight into business strategies.
• Act as liaison between finance and operations.

Responsibilities:

• Ownership of Balance sheet
• Ownership of operational reconciliations
• Responsible for Fixed Assets Register maintenance and reconciliation to GL.
• Identify risks, process flaws and improvement opportunities in area and escalate.
• Manage all accounts directly influenced by operational activities (including ad hoc activities)
• Manage and grow team to ensure operational requests dealt with efficiently.
• Further develop, document, and maintain related processes to ensure efficiencies.
• Cash flow management and treasury function.
• Financial reporting and budgeting.
• Financial support and business upskilling.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently, create solutions and collaborate internally and externally.
• Ability to negotiate terms and pricing with stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the confidence and adaptability to deal with all levels of management internally and with the ability to form and manage corporate relationships, particularly with the banks and suppliers of Unifi.
• Attention to timing and detail; capable of distilling large volumes of information and handling rapidly changing information.
• Critical analytical thinker with the ability to make informed decisions quickly.
• Good numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant CA or equivalent qualification imperative.
• Requires a logical, structured approach to finance.