About the Private Infrastructure Development Group

At the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), we get infrastructure finance moving and multiplying – accelerating climate action and sustainable development where most urgently needed. We work with public and private partners to bridge financing gaps, directing capital and expertise into projects that promote climate resilience and sustainable growth. Working throughout the project lifecycle, we reduce financial risk, transform markets, and build local capacity, creating a deep and lasting impact.

We are a group of companies that work together to improve lives throughout south and south-east Asia and Africa. Active since 2002, more than 50% of our investments have been either in countries classified as Least Developed Countries or Fragile and Conflict Affected States. These are the countries where infrastructure gaps are the largest and most urgent and where the population is youngest and growing fastest. These are also the countries that contributed the least to climate change and yet are suffering the worse impacts, in some of the regions with the richest biodiversity left on the planet, which is quickly being depleted.

Building on a pioneering track record of integrating climate and inclusion considerations in infrastructure investment, we launched our 2030 strategy in 2023, which makes action on climate and nature, together with sustainable development through new and improved infrastructure, the central purpose of all we do.

Role and responsibilities

The Accounts Assistant is part of the Financial Control Team, reporting to the Corporate Accountant and accountable to the Corporate Finance Manager and Head of Finance.

The Accounts Assistant will act as an ambassador of PIDG, displaying and demonstrating the highest ethical and moral standards, while effectively operating in accordance with the Group’s policies and procedures.

You will be responsible for processing the company’s invoices and payments for InfraCo Africa companies and projects/investments within East & Southern Africa, helping the Corporate Accountant prepare financial reports and statements, along with supporting on the testing and implementation of a new general ledger system.

The ideal candidate will be analytical and a strong team player keen to work alongside others to maintain accurate reporting and meet deadlines, whilst supporting on ad hoc tasks.

Responsibilities

As an Accounts Assistant, you will be expected to:

• Match, check and code invoices, reconciling supplier statements and preparing daily/weekly BACS
• Review and process expense claims against company policy, flagging non-compliance and either seeking an explanation or rejecting the claim.
• Manage InfraCo Africa’s bank accounts and reconcile cash balances daily.
• Raise sales invoices and manage internal company recharges (within InfraCo Africa and across the PIDG Group);
• Prepare and post accounting journals for month-end.
• Support the Corporate Accountant with monthly balance sheet reconciliations for InfraCo Africa companies.
• Assist the Corporate Accountant with inter-group recharges and supporting calculations.
• Support the Corporate Finance Manager with analysis and reporting of financial data internally for the InfraCo Africa companies;
• Assist with the collation of documentation and responses to internal and external auditors or regulators.
• Support the Financial Controls Manager, Corporate Finance Manager, and Corporate Accountant with the implementation of SAP S/4 Hana and SAP Analytics Cloud;
• Input data to allow the migration of financial transactions from previous accounting system to SAP S/4 Hana;
• Assist in the training of non-finance staff with new purchase ledger system within SAP S/4 Hana;
• Co-ordinate with wider PIDG finance team to ensure consistent processing of invoices and transactions on SAP S/4 Hana; and
• Assist the Financial Control Team and Head of Finance with ad-hoc queries as required.

Qualifications and Education requirements

We encourage hearing from:

• Graduate students in their second year of an accounting-related course;
• Recent graduates with a degree in accounting or equivalent; or
• Young professionals educated up to A-Level (300 UCAS points) or international equivalent with 2 years’ experience of working in a finance function.

Experience (desirable but not essential)

• Experience in an accounts payable or similar finance function;
• Experience of Quick Books, NetSuite, Xero or similar accounting package;
• Previous exposure or understanding of SAP products;
• Experience analysing financial data or financial reports for a private sector company or during a course of financial studies; or
• Be either interested in or currently studying for an accountancy qualification.
• Skills
• We expect the successful candidate to:
• Have strong knowledge of Excel.
• Be fluent in English, French would be an asset but not essential.
• Have an interest in renewable power, water or transport infrastructure and our work in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Be able to demonstrate integrity and professionalism; and
• Be a great team player.

Application deadline:  16 August 2024

To apply email: recruitment@pidg.org

PIDG is an equal opportunities employer and values the diversity of all its employees, associates, owners, service providers and customers