Who is Natural Justice?
Natural Justice is an organisation rooted in the struggles of communities in Africa. As a team of pioneering lawyers and legal experts, we specialise in human rights and environmental law in pursuit of social and environmental justice.
Natural Justice strives to enhance the collective rights of people and protect the sacred relationships that indigenous peoples and local communities have with nature. Our work is informed by the values, knowledge and self-determination of the communities whom we stand in solidarity with.
Through legal empowerment, research, policy influencing and litigation, and as part of coalitions and campaigns, we support communities to know the law, use the law and shape the law.
Natural Justice has three main pillars: Affirming and Securing Rights to Lands, Resources and Knowledge; Defending Rights against Environmental and Social Impacts; and Standing with Communities.
To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to www.naturaljustice.org
Who are we looking for?
Natural Justice is seeking a junior finance professional to join its Southern Africa hub as a Junior Bookkeeper. The Southern Africa hub works across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The position will require somebody who has a knowledge of accounting and can understand and use accounting software systems. The candidate will be responsible for reconciling financial transactions and will need to be both accurate and have a passion for what they do.
The successful candidate will be primarily responsible the financial administration of an innovative three-year USAID-funded project ensuring responsive, innovative, and sustainable and locally-driven development and human rights interventions ultimately aimed at strengthening Indigenous peoples in Southern Africa. The project will work with Indigenous Communities in three Southern African countries, namely South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The project has been designed within the context of the Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PRO-IP) of the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Junior Bookkeeper will work closely with the Affirming Rights, Defending Rights and Standing with Communities streams. They will be expected to work with the other support staff, including communications, monitoring and evaluation and research staff. The Junior Bookkeeper will report to the Hub Director.
Natural Justice is an African organisation and preference is given to those applying from African countries, but particularly from countries supported by the Southern African team. Candidates should have a valid working permit to perform work in South Africa.
What’s on offer?
Natural Justice is a close-knit and nurturing collective that places emphasis on facilitating opportunities for the professional and personal growth of its members. The organisation promotes personal responsibility, wellness, feminist and collective leadership and values of solidarity and support. Joining Natural Justice will also give the successful candidate a chance to work with a passionate and professional team across Africa, and support the candidate to gain valuable national and regional experience.
Natural Justice will offer a competitive salary commensurate with skill and experience, with additional medical aid benefits, Provident Fund, UIF and access to a laptop and technical support. The position has a three-month probationary period. The position is full-time employment for the duration of the project, a period of three years.
The successful candidate will be based in Cape Town. They are expected to begin work as soon as the project commences.
Requirements
- Bookkeeping Qualification
- Knowledge / Experience working with Xero
- MS Excel proficient
- Minimum 4 years’ experience (NPO knowledge will be advantageous)
Manage and execute:
- Capturing of the various cash books
- Reconciliation of cash books to bank statement
- Ensuring General ledger accounts balance monthly
- Capture and control petty cash expenses
- Capture all related general ledger entries
- Analysis – Expenses
- Supplier recons and payment
- Supplier liaison
- Weekly Cash Flow Projections
- Preparation of invoices and follow-up on payments
- Management of asset record keeping and annual verification process
- Preparation and submission of international payments and receipts
- Reconciliation of staff travel expenses
- Funder and Project Administration
- Comply with all reasonable organisational instructions
- Assisting with various other admin functions and/or ad hoc reconciliations
- Maintain filing and record-keeping system
Reporting
- Analysis of Consolidated Income Statement on a monthly basis
- Analysis of Income statement by funder/project
- Assist with audit preparation and attending to audit queries
Application process
Deadline: 21 August 2023.
Please email your application to nomvuzo@naturaljustice.org with the following subject line: “CT: Junior Bookkeeper” on or before 21st August 2023.
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter that indicates: a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role; and
- A detailed CV with three contactable references
To be successful in this role you should be able to work to strict deadlines, take ownership of this role, work independently as well as be a team player; honesty, integrity, accuracy, attention to detail and analytical attributes are essential.
Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Best of luck!
The Natural Justice Team
