Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above position that has arisen at the Women’s University in Africa.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, the Bursar plays a pivotal role in the University’s Senior Management structure, providing overall financial leadership and management functions. This role involves ensuring the University’s financial integrity while providing excellent service to stakeholders. The Bursar collaborates with various departments of the University to enhance financial prudence. Furthermore, the Bursar is involved in risk assessment, governance and other compliance matters including scanning the external and/ internal economic environment as it affects the institution and its other entities. The position is a four (4) year performance based fixed term contract, subject to renewal on performance basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES/KEY TASKS
- Leads the University’s financial planning and performance management, ensuring these are aligned to the University’s strategic plan including undertaking medium to long term forecasts, annual budgeting process, and the monitoring of the revenue, capital, and cash flow budgets to ensure the University’s financial performance supports its strategic objectives;
- Contributes to the development and implementation of the University’s strategic plan and its supporting plans, including the University’s financial strategy, to support the ambition to be financially sustainable;
- Serves in an advisory role, in respect of the University's financial resources, to the Vice Chancellor and Council;
- Serves as a member of the University’s senior leadership team (Executive Committee) providing direct support in relation to the development and effective corporate management of the University;
- Is responsible for ensuring that all financial data and other statutory and relevant regulatory returns are accurate and completed and remitted on time;
- Ensures that appropriate accounting systems are in place, and comply with all legal and regulatory requirements;
- Services the Finance Committee of Council;
- Checks and approves transactions and aligns them with the budget, legal framework, tax provisions, donor requirements, and internal policies and procedures;
- Monitors internal controls and operating procedures to ensure compliance and ensure continuous improvement of the same;
- Prepares financial forecasts and analysis reports of new and existing projects, products, and services as may be required;
- Provides insights about spending trends, savings initiatives, and revenue-generating opportunities;
- Undertakes cost-benefit analysis of various decisions within the University;
- Oversees an effective internal control environment including maintaining effective relationships with internal and external auditors and the management of insurance that ensures systems and processes are in place to provide appropriate probity and stewardship of public money and student fees income, and value for money in its use;
- Ensures effective systems and processes are in place to ensure that all financial performance and data held by the institution is accurate, timely and utilised effectively to inform decision-making;
- Ensures the preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports; and
- Performs any other duties and functions of the University as assigned by the Vice Chancellor.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance from a recognised institution of higher learning;
- A Master’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent from a recognised institution of higher learning;
- An earned PhD in a relevant field is an added advantage;
- Membership of a professional board such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGAIZ) formerly the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Zimbabwe (ICSAZ), Chartered Accountant (Zimbabwe) [CA (Z)] etc.;
- Be a registered Public Accountant in good standing with the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB), and holding a valid practicing certificate for a period of not less than ten (10) years. This is a must; and
- Have relevant practical experience with information communication technologies (ICTs) and their application in accounting systems.
Experience
- Be an accomplished higher education administrator with at least ten (10) years working experience at the level of Deputy Bursar with a track record of sound financial management, cash flow planning, budgeting and budgetary control; and
- Substantial experience of effective people management.
Skills and Attributes
- Personal integrity reflective of the University’s values including demonstrating openness, integrity, reliability, honesty, dedication and self-motivation;
- Strong leadership and management skills including a commitment to delivering high standards and building teams through trust, purpose, and culture;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve results;
- Analytical skills with the ability to assimilate and interpret large amounts of complex data drawn from a range of sources and present to a range of audiences, including senior governance committees;
- Ability to drive change including a commitment to continuous improvement and an ability to implement innovative solutions;
- Resilient and able to thrive in a busy and, sometimes, challenging environment;
- Self-motivated, proactive and innovative with demonstrable leadership skills;
- Accountability by taking ownership and being responsible for delivering set targets;
- Open-minded, future-focused, team-builder, innovative and always seeking to add value to the Women’s University in Africa brand; and
- A clean disciplinary and crime free record is a must.
WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN AND DIFFERENTLY ABLED CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
Interested candidates should submit six (6) sets of applications with detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of academic and professional qualifications including transcripts indicating the post applied for on the envelope by Friday 10 January 2025 to:
The Council Chairperson
C/o The Vice Chancellor
Women’s University in Africa
P.O Box GD 32 Greendale
Harare
Or
Hand deliver to:
The Council Chairperson
C/o The Vice Chancellor
Women’s University in Africa
Number 549 Arcturus Road Greendale
Harare
ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE RESPONDED TO.
NB: The Women’s University does not make anyone pay to be considered for recruitment. Any form of corruption is discouraged.
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