Why We Need You:

You deliver towards the overall goals of Lizard Earth’s Finance Unit, and provide administrative oversight to the HR Unit, taking on a broad, hands-on-role owning month-end reporting, budgeting and financial forecasting, tax preparation, payroll management and internal auditing. Your role delivers commercial insight and support to decision-making and offers full visibility and understanding of Lizard Earth’s financial performance to management. You lead, capacitate and support Junior Accountant and Cashier to maintain financial integrity, meet regulatory requirements, ensure compliance with accounting standards, and optimise financial performance.

What You Will Do:

• You supervise, train and provide leadership to Junior Accountant and Cashier.
  

• You maintain and analyse Lizard Earth’s financial records, develop and measure KPIs and deliver comprehensive reporting accurately and on time.
  

• You oversee budgeting and forecasting, support long-term financial planning, and devise and implement strategies to optimize the use of financial resources.
  

• You oversee Lizard Earth’s tax obligations, manage the payroll and asset register and develop and implement Lizard Earth’s (cocoa) hedging strategy, subject to management authorization.
  

• You ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards and strengthen internal controls.
  

• You liaise with government authorities (incl. the CAC, Ministry of Employment, Labor & Social Security, NASSIT, NRA), commercial banks and other stakeholders.
  

Initial Contract Term:

12 months (starting as soon as possible); with the option of renewal for a further twenty-four (24) months.

Your Education:

• University degree (Bachelor's or Master's, or equivalent) in Accounting/Finance, Business Management/Administration; OR Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Management Studies, Mathematics, Economics (or a related field) with specialization in Accounting/Finance and/or Business Management/Administration.
  

• Active professional accounting credential, e.g. CA, CPA, CCA, CGMA.
  

Your Professional Experience:

Essential:

• Financial Management/Accounting (with proven experience in: business analytics and controlling, forecasting, risk management, financial planning and reporting, accounting, compliance management, audit facilitation, contract management, sales, supply and inventory management), progressive & preferably in a start-up and/or corporate setting; min. 5 years (of which: min. 2 years in a lead capacity).
  

• Financial Software (e.g. Quickbooks, or any ERP System); min 3 years.
  
• Project/General Management (ideally in an int. context); min. 2 years.
  

As an asset:

• Collaboration in an international, diverse, and dynamic environment
  
• Organizational Development
  
• Financial Auditing
  
• Payroll Management
  

Your Language Skills:

Full working proficiency in English (C1)

Your Knowledge and Skills:

• In-depth understanding of International Accounting Standards (IFRS, GAAP) and corporate taxation.
  

• Strong commercial acumen and business understanding, including firm knowledge of financial controlling, risk management, planning, budgeting and reporting, internal auditing and contract management.
  

• Proficiency with digital Accounting- (and ERP) Solutions, preferably Quickbooks.
  
• Excellent interpersonal-, (written and verbal) communication skills.
  
• Skills in data management and financial analysis.
  
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
  
• Strong interest in the Global Cocoa and Chocolate Industry.
  
• Strong interest in inclusive agri-business models and out-grower schemes.
  

Your Competencies:

• Organizational Knowledge
  
• Strategic Thinking
  
• Analytical Thinking
  
• Resource Management
  
• Leadership & Team Management
  

Other Requirements:

You have the ability and willingness to work in a demanding tropical climate.

Working Conditions:

You will work 40 hours/week, full-time, occasionally on evenings or weekends (as required). Your role requires occasional site visits to farms, own production sites and other operational assets in remote rural areas, as well as travel to Freetown. This role cannot be performed remotely.

What We Offer:

As Senior Accountant you will work in a dynamic and impact-driven team. We offer you a competitive salary which will reflect your experience, as well as the following additional incentives:

• Free accommodation in Kenema, incl. security services and weekly cleaning.
  

• One international return flight from Freetown to your country of residence per 12-months’ period.
  
• 21 days of paid leave per 12-months’ period.
  

Exclusion:

You shall provide evidence of adequate Health Insurance Cover (incl. emergency evacuation to country of residence) upon the start of your assignment.

Interested:

We are looking forward to your application. Please send your cover letter, CV and your monthly salary expectations to Mrs Jana Kuchheuser (eMail: jobs@lizard-earth.com).

In the event that you have questions or you are looking for further details, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We strongly encourage you to apply, regardless of your gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.