1. ABOUT THE COMPANY

Wala Ltd is a Malawian social enterprise operating at the intersection of sustainable energy access and inclusive economic development. We design, distribute, and support productive use of energy (PUE) technologies and services — from solar-powered agro-processing and cold storage to irrigation and commercial energy solutions — that enable households, smallholder farmers, and small businesses to generate income, increase productivity, and improve their quality of life.

As a social enterprise, we operate with a dual mandate: to deliver measurable social and environmental impact, and to build a financially sustainable, commercially viable company. We pursue this mission through a blended finance model, combining donor-funded grant programmes with revenue-generating commercial activities. Our work is aligned with Malawi’s national energy access agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

We are looking to strengthen our internal financial leadership.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) is a senior leadership position that carries full accountability for the financial health, regulatory compliance, and administrative effectiveness of Wala Ltd. This is not a purely accounting role — we are looking for a strategic financial leader who understands the unique demands of a dual-mandate social enterprise: one who can steward grant funds with the discipline that donors require, while simultaneously driving the financial performance metrics that a commercially ambitious company demands.

The FAM will serve as the company’s most senior financial voice, advising the Chief Executive Officer and the Board on all matters of financial strategy, sustainability, and risk. They will ensure that our financial systems, policies, and processes are fit for purpose as we scale — and that we remain fully compliant with all obligations under Malawian law and the requirements of our donor partners.

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

3.1 Financial Strategy & Planning

Develop and lead the company’s integrated financial strategy, spanning both commercial revenue and grant income streams
Lead annual budgeting, multi-year financial planning, and rolling forecasting processes across all business units and projects
Build and maintain financial models to support strategic decisions, including new market entry, product line expansion, and impact investment readiness
Advise the CEO and Board on capital allocation, funding mix, and financial sustainability pathways
Monitor and report on company financial health against agreed key performance indicators

3.2 Commercial Financial Management

Manage and report on the company’s commercial revenue streams, including product sales, service fees, and financing portfolio income
Conduct ongoing margin analysis, cost allocation, and product/service profitability assessments to inform pricing and business development decisions
Oversee accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cash flow management to ensure the company meets its operational obligations at all times
Manage working capital efficiently, including credit terms with suppliers, customer payment cycles, and inventory financing where applicable
Provide financial analysis and modelling to support commercial partnerships, distribution agreements, and loan or equity fundraising
Produce monthly management accounts with clear narrative commentary for the leadership team and Board

3.3 Grant Management & Donor Financial Compliance

This is a core function of the role, given the company’s reliance on grant funding from bilateral, multilateral, and philanthropic donors.

Maintain a comprehensive grant register tracking all active and pipeline grants, including funding amounts, disbursement schedules, reporting deadlines, and budget restrictions
Oversee the full financial lifecycle of each grant: from budget development at proposal stage, through expenditure tracking and periodic financial reporting, to grant close-out
Ensure strict segregation of restricted and unrestricted funds in the accounting system, with audit trails that satisfy donor and regulatory requirements
Prepare accurate, timely, and donor-compliant financial reports for all funders — including narrative-aligned financial statements, budget variance analyses, and supporting schedules
Serve as the primary financial liaison with donor companys, including attending review meetings, responding to financial queries, and managing audit requirements
Lead internal financial due diligence on proposed new grants and support the programme team with budgeting for funding proposals
Develop and enforce grant compliance checklists, procurement protocols, and expenditure eligibility frameworks aligned with each donor’s rules and regulations
Manage sub-grant financial oversight where the company acts as a prime grantee with implementing partners

3.4 Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations

Oversee all day-to-day accounting functions: general ledger, bank reconciliations, payroll processing, fixed asset management, and month-end close
Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Malawian accounting requirements
Maintain a chart of accounts and project coding structure that supports both consolidated company reporting and project-level donor reporting
Ensure financial data integrity and the timely resolution of any discrepancies or mispostings

3.5 Regulatory Compliance — Malawi Statutory Obligations

Ensure full and timely compliance with all obligations under Malawian law
Lead audit and ensure clean audit outcomes at all times.

3.7 Administration & Operational Systems

Oversee company administrative functions including procurement, vendor management, contract administration, fleet management, and office operations
Develop, document, and continuously improve administrative procedures and financial management policies
Manage banking relationships, insurance coverage, and other financial service provider arrangements
Supervise payroll administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance with employment law, and timely disbursement
Provide financial and administrative support to the HR function, including compensation benchmarking, staff cost planning, and benefits administration

3.9 Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building

Represent the company’s financial position clearly and credibly to donors, Board members, investors, auditors, and regulatory bodies
Build financial literacy and budget ownership across programme and operations teams through training and regular financial reviews
Support the CEO in preparing for Board and Finance Committee meetings, including financial presentations and Board packs

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

4.1 Education

Requirement	Detail
Minimum	Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration
Preferred	Master’s degree (Finance, Accounting, MBA with Finance concentration) or equivalent professional qualification
Professional Certification	CPA (Malawi), ACCA, CIMA, CA, or equivalent — strongly preferred. Membership of the Malawi Institute of Accountants (MIA) is an added advantage

4.2 Experience

Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in finance and administration, with at least 3 years at a senior or managerial level
Demonstrated experience managing finances in a dual-mandate organisation — i.e. one that operates with both grant/donor income and commercial revenue streams
Proven track record in grant financial management: budgeting for donor proposals, tracking restricted funds, preparing donor financial reports, and managing donor audits
Solid commercial finance experience: management accounts, P&L analysis, cash flow management, and working capital optimisation in a revenue-generating enterprise
Direct, hands-on experience with Malawian statutory compliance — MRA (PAYE, VAT, corporate tax), National Pension Scheme, MERA (desirable), and NGORA (if applicable)
Experience in the energy, clean technology, or climate-related sectors in sub-Saharan Africa is a strong advantage
Experience working with international development donors (e.g. UN, USAID, EU, FCDO, GIZ, AfDB, or equivalent) is highly desirable
Demonstrated experience building or significantly improving financial systems and processes in a growing company

4.3 Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in accounting software / ERP systems (QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, or similar)
Strong financial modelling skills in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Solid knowledge of IFRS and applicable Malawian accounting and tax standards
Competence in grant management tools and donor financial reporting formats
Familiarity with foreign exchange management and multi-currency accounting (given donor funding is often in USD, GBP, or EUR)
Understanding of blended finance instruments, including debt, equity, and grants, is an advantage

5. CORE COMPETENCIES

The following competencies define the profile of the ideal candidate and will form the basis for structured evaluation during the selection process:

Competency	Description
Dual-Mandate Financial Leadership	Ability to simultaneously manage grant fund accountability and commercial financial performance without compromising either; sees the two as complementary
Integrity & Ethical Conduct	Maintains the highest standards of personal and professional ethics; is transparent, accountable, and a role model for financial stewardship across the company
Donor Compliance Expertise	Deep working knowledge of international donor rules and reporting standards; proactive in managing compliance and building donor confidence
Strategic Financial Thinking	Translates financial data into strategic insight; contributes meaningfully to business planning and is a trusted advisor to leadership
Analytical Rigour	Interrogates financial data thoroughly, identifies root causes of variances and risks, and produces evidence-based recommendations
Regulatory Mastery	Current, thorough, and proactive on all statutory obligations; builds a culture of compliance across the company
Communication & Influence	Presents complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences — from programme staff to Board members to international donors
Systems Builder	Demonstrated ability to design and implement financial systems and processes; thrives in environments where structures need to be built, not just maintained
Leadership & Team Development	Leads by example; develops the financial capability of team members and fosters a high-performance finance culture
Mission Alignment	Genuine commitment to social enterprise, energy access, and sustainable development; understands why financial health is inseparable from mission impact

6. APPLICATION PROCESS

6.1 How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit a complete application package to hr@walacleanenergy.com with the subject line: Application – Finance and Administration Manager – [Your Name].

The application package must include:

A detailed curriculum vitae (CV), not exceeding 5 pages
A cover letter of no more than 2 pages, specifically addressing your experience in dual-mandate (grant and commercial) financial management and your familiarity with Malawian regulatory requirements
Copies of relevant academic certificates and professional certifications
Contact details for three (3) professional referees — at least one of whom was a direct supervisor

6.2 Application Deadline

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. All applications must be received no later than 23:59 HRS (CAT) on 17 May 2026. Late applications will not be considered.