Jigsaw Education Zambia Ltd Seeks Finance and Operations Manager

Jigsaw Education Zambia Ltd, a company focused on building evidence for effective education, is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager to join their team in Lusaka. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the environment in which Jigsaw staff contribute to high-quality research, evaluation, and strategy. The role is full-time, with half of the time focused on Jigsaw Zambia finance and operations tasks and half supporting the UK operations team.

The Finance and Operations Manager will be responsible for managing Jigsaw Zambia's day-to-day financial operations, including supplier and staff payments, expense tracking, financial compliance, and tax payments. They will also provide comprehensive administrative and financial support to Jigsaw Zambia Project Managers, streamlining data collection logistics, travel, procurement, invoicing, and project performance tracking.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, as well as a recognised professional accounting qualification and active registration with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants. They will also require 3-5 years of demonstrable experience in a finance and operations management role, with deep knowledge of Zambian statutory requirements and practical experience in managing day-to-day office operations.

The Finance and Operations Manager will be expected to maintain and continuously improve internal systems and processes, own operational documentation, and ensure that data storage is secure, compliant, and effectively structured. They will also coordinate local recruitment and HR administration for the Zambia team, manage the Jigsaw Zambia office space and landlord relationships, and contribute to a supportive, fun, and nurturing work culture.

The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with remote global teams and provide high-level reporting to the UK office. They will also be proficient in cloud-based accounting platforms, specifically Xero, and have advanced Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets skills for financial modelling and reporting.

The Finance and Operations Manager will produce regular finance tracking reports for the Delivery Lead, covering budget versus actuals, spend rates, and variance commentary across research studies and the Zambia office. They will also prepare and maintain team forecasts, including staff time allocation and resourcing, cash flow, and project-level reforecasts when budgets or timelines change.

To apply for this role, candidates must complete the application form on the GoZambia Jobs portal and submit it along with a 2-page CV by 02 December 2026. The successful candidate will be an active member of a committed global team, living Jigsaw's shared values, and working hard to represent the individuals and communities that are the focus of their work.

Key points

• The Finance and Operations Manager will oversee financial operations, provide administrative support, and contribute to Jigsaw Zambia's growth.
• The role requires 3-5 years of experience in finance and operations management and a recognised professional accounting qualification.
• The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and be proficient in cloud-based accounting platforms.