Finance, Administration and Data Officer

  • Mid-level
  • Posted on 27 August 2025
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Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Position:  Finance, Administration, and Data Officer  
Location:  Pretoria, South-Africa   
Position type: Full time   
Duration: 1 year, renewable over the life of the project (2025-2030)  
Supervisor: SEIGG Project Director 


BACKGROUND
The SEIGG project will support the South African government in its efforts to enhance accountability, efficiency, and transparency in the public administration for inclusive and gender-responsive governance through TA and capacity building at national, provincial and municipal levels. This will be achieved through three intermediate outcomes: 

1100: The improved prevention, protection and response against harassment, including sexual harassment, across public administrations in South Africa. 

1200: The strengthened oversight, management and professional conduct for ethics, integrity and disciplinary management matters in the public administration.

1300: The strengthened prevention, monitoring and detection of public procurement corruption with a focus on climate and energy sectors. 

At the central and provincial levels, SEIGG will work with key entities such as the PAEIDTAU and its Transformation and Workplace Environment Management (TWEM) Unit, the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) of National Treasury and Provincial Treasuries, and representatives from National and Provincial Departments involved in ethics, investigations and labor relations that process corruption, harassment and other disciplinary or malpractice cases. At the municipal level, SEIGG will expand the Policy on Prevention & Elimination of Harassment in Public Service (PPEH) and Lifestyle Audits (LSA), collaborating with TWEM, PAEIDTAU, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), with pilot activities in eight municipalities. 

The SEIGG project is currently in the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) period, from February 27, 2025 to August 22, 2025. The implementation period will start with the PIP approval from Global Affairs Canada and the South African counterparts. 


DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION
Reporting directly to the SEIGG project coordinator in South Africa, the Finance, Administration, and Data Officer is responsible for managing all SEIGG project administrative and financial processes to support project activities. He will also leveraging his skills and Excel and related data and form tools to support the implementation team with developing solutions for data collection, management and analysis by designing structured, accessible, and secure Excel-based forms and tools that support the ethics management initiatives of project, PAIEDTAU, and OCPO. 


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the Finance, Administration, and Data Officer include, but are not limited to: 

Administration and Finance:

  1. Project mobilization and management to achieve the following results: 
  • Contribute to all activities, as required, to set up the project office in Pretoria, including registration and opening of a bank account;
  • Lead the establishment and implementation of business processes and procedures and operations, including training and oversight on adherence to Administrative Procedures Manual, Financial Manual and tools to ensure overall efficiency of systems and processes and in compliance with Donor and Cowater safeguards and policies; 
  • Oversee and manage the preparation of the payroll, management of the project bank account, and conduct of procurement in collaboration with the Project Coordinator and of the HQ based Project Financial Officer and Project Manager in accordance with project guidelines; 
  1. Project financial management and administration aiming to achieve the following results: 
  • Prepare activity budgets in coordination with the Project Coordinator and Technical Leads. 
  • Oversee accounting and payment of all project invoices; 
  • Support the organization and logistics for field missions, training and conference activities conducted in Pretoria and other provinces; 
  • Ensure expenditures are in accordance with the approved activity plans and implemented with strong financial, administrative and governance principles; 
  • Track spending totals and provide regular, accurate forecasting projections and financial reports, as needed; 
  • Oversee Project financial management and maintenance of the accounting system, including fraud control and audit procedures, and archiving of accounting records; 
  • Respond to financial audits - including preparation of supporting schedules and information, consolidated reports, and documentation; 
  • Liaise with external project partners (insurance, auditors, banks and social organizations). 
  1. Human resources management and contracting; 
  • Supervise payroll processing; 
  • Ensure locally sourced technical assistance is engaged in accordance with local labour laws and the market; 
  • Keep records of and track staff leaves on an annual basis. 


Data Tools and Management: 

  1. Microsoft Excel Tools development and Data management: 
  • Designing Excel forms and templates that are: 
  • Easy to complete electronically or in print. 
  • Structured for consistent data entry and analysis. 
  • Visually clear and accessible to non-technical users. 
  • Creating automated features (e.g., drop-downs, conditional formatting, basic formulas) to improve usability and reduce errors. 
  • Advising on secure storage, version control, and access protocols for Excel files and related data. 
  • Supporting the team in organizing and managing project data in a structured and retrievable format. 
  • Providing brief training or guidance notes to staff on using and maintaining the tools. 
  • Providing brief training or guidance notes to clients on using and maintaining the tools where necessary.   
  • Ensuring all tools align with the project’s data protection and confidentiality standards. 
  • Support any other task which may be deemed necessary by the SEIGG Project Coordinator. 


QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  1. Education  
  • A University Degree (an accounting designation would be preferred) in finance, accounting, business administration or another relevant discipline. 
  • Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert Certification is highly desirable. 
  1. Minimum Experience  
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in donor funded project management and implementation to strengthen public sector capacity in South Africa including but not limited to;  
  1. Essential Skills  
  • Excellent project and financial management and accounting skills and solid knowledge of project management;  
    • Establishment and management of administrative and reporting processes and procedures;  
    • Management of relevant contracting and procurement processes; and  
    • Recruitment and human resource management;  
  • Knowledge of human resource management, payroll management, and administration; 
  • Ability to identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and process improvements;  
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including form design, data validation, and basic automation, with proficiency in standard database management software and tools is highly desirable. 
  • Experience in data management, especially in development or governance projects. 
  • Strong understanding of international assistance funding and related procurement and project management procedures;  
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities within a dynamic environment;  
  • Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural and communication skills;  
  • Commitment to teamwork and ability to build constructive and effective relationships;  
  • Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical users. 
  • Familiarity with data protection principles and secure file handling. 
  • Professional fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) 



APPLICATION PROCESS 
Candidates are encouraged to apply by September 12, 2025/as soon as possible by submitting a presentation letter and their CV on Cowater International’s employment portal. Please include your all-inclusive daily rate for this mandate in the application letter. 

This position is open to candidates with a valid South African work permit only. 

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position. 
 We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted. 

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2,500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017. 

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.

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