Finance & Accounts Consultant at ICGEB – Apply Now!

Contract

ICGEB

📍 Job Details

🏢 Organisation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
🆔 Reference: ZAF/01/05/25
📌 Role: Finance and Accounts Consultant
📍 Location: Cape Town, South Africa
📅 Closing Date: 19 January 2026 (23:59 SAST)
📝 Contract Type: One-year renewable (up to 3 years, subject to funding)

🏢 About ICGEB Cape Town

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town Component is a research and training hub dedicated to advancing biosciences across Africa. As part of a global intergovernmental organisation, the Cape Town office provides high-level scientific research, capacity building, and laboratory development while maintaining strong governance and financial compliance standards.

As part of its strategic upgrade, ICGEB Cape Town is improving its accounting processes, financial controls, and compliance frameworks to align with international best practices and public sector financial regulations.

📘 Role Overview

ICGEB seeks an experienced Finance and Accounts Consultant to provide technical expertise, financial advisory support, and hands-on implementation of improved financial management systems.
The consultant will work within the Finance and Accounts Unit, support the Administrative Officer, and report directly to the Director of the Cape Town Component.

The role requires analytical depth, strong public-sector accounting experience, the ability to improve financial processes, and the confidence to guide organisational compliance.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

📊 Financial Management & Reporting

  • Strengthen accounting controls and ensure compliance with public sector financial standards.

  • Review, streamline, and enhance financial workflows, documentation, and reporting processes.

  • Support preparation of financial statements, reconciliations, and budget monitoring.

  • Ensure financial operations meet internal governance, donor requirements, and audit standards.

🧮 Technical Accounting Support

  • Provide expert guidance on accounting best practices and process optimisation.

  • Support the implementation of improved financial procedures and tools.

  • Assist with budget development, financial forecasting, and expenditure analysis.

  • Oversee internal financial documentation and system accuracy.

📘 Compliance, Governance, and Audit Prep

  • Strengthen accountability structures in line with international research-funding frameworks.

  • Support audit readiness and respond to audit queries.

  • Ensure all financial activities meet ICGEB policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

🤝 Collaboration & Advisory

  • Work closely with the Finance and Accounts Unit, Director, and Administrative Officer.

  • Provide financial advisory support across operational units.

  • Build capacity within the Finance Unit by guiding staff on improved processes.

🎓 Qualifications & Experience

📘 Required

  • A professional accountant with strong experience in accounting, financial control, and compliance.

  • Demonstrated experience supporting financial transformation or process improvement initiatives.

  • Working knowledge of public sector or international-organisation financial frameworks.

  • Strong analytical, reporting, and documentation capabilities.

🧠 Desirable

  • Experience with donor-funded research organisations.

  • Familiarity with UN-system or international programme accounting practices.

📝 Best CV Tips for This Role

  • Open with a strong summary highlighting public-sector or international financial experience.

  • Emphasise experience in financial control, process optimisation, and audit compliance.

  • Demonstrate work on financial system improvements or transformation projects.

  • Provide clear examples of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

  • Showcase analytical strengths with quantifiable achievements (e.g., reduced audit findings, streamlined processes).

  • Include experience with governance frameworks, donor reporting or public-sector reporting.

  • Keep the CV structured, professional, and aligned to the consultant-level scope of work.

📜 Employment Equity Statement

ICGEB is committed to fairness, diversity, and equal opportunity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and appointments will be made in alignment with organisational equity principles.

📨 How to Apply

Candidates must submit:

  1. Completed ICGEB Personal History Form (available on the vacancies page)

  2. A detailed CV

  3. A cover letter outlining motivation for the role

  4. Contact details for two referees

📧 Email Applications To: recruitment.ct@icgeb.org
📌 Subject Line: Finance and Accounts Consultant – Reference ZAF/01/05/25

🔗 Application Form: Submit via the Personal History Form on the ICGEB vacancies page.

To apply for this job please visit www.icgeb.org.