13/10/2026
Vacancy Code: 0126/CADM
Position: Country Administrator
Department/Area: Administration Department
Relate to: COSPE Regional Administrator and Eswatini Country Director
Location: Eswatini - Manzini, Manzini Region with possible visits to projects
sites and partners offices and possible relocation within the Country
Type Contract: 12 months contract with 3-month probation period and possibility of renewal.
Apply before: 15 November 2026
Start Date: January/February 2027
COSPE has been operating in the Kingdom of Eswatini, since 1999 with several programmes in support of institutions, civil society organisations and rural communities to improve the quality of life of the people and to enhance the respect of human rights. Gender, no-discrimination, community empowerment and human rights have always been the cross-cutting approaches.
COSPE is currently looking at strengthening its capacity by increasing its human resources with well-motivated, qualified collaborators, open to the international cooperation challenge.
COSPE advertises for a Country Administrator (CADM) Position to support the Project Managers and the staff in the financial and administrative management of the projects.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE OF COUNTRY ADMINISTRATOR IN ESWATINI:
The CADM is responsible for supporting the Country Representative (CR) in carrying out the administrative and financial functions related to the management of the COSPE office in Eswatini as well as ensuring the administrative, financial and accounting management of projects, ensuring their compliance with the procedures of the donors and COSPE, as well as the country regulations throughout the project cycle, including audits and reporting.
MAIN TASKS:
1. Collaborate with the Project Managers and Local Admin Staff in financial planning, including elaboration and updating of the procurement plans, and regular monitoring of the financial progress of projects.
2. Ensure, in collaboration with Local Admin Staff and Project Managers, the accurate and timely management of tendering procedures according to internal and donors’ rules.
3. Prepare and update cash flow forecasts and funding requests for COSPE and partner activities in coordination with Project Managers.
4. Process or approve and monitor authorised payments related to project and operational activities.
5. Guarantee the completeness, accuracy and donor compliance of expenditure documentation submitted by COSPE and project partners.
6. Ensure proper management and maintenance of COSPE assets in the country, including asset transfer and disposal in compliance with donor regulations and national legislation.
7. Supervise the accurate and timely recording of project and office transactions, including shared operational costs.
8. Plan and coordinate financial reporting processes in close collaboration with Headquarters Administration, Area managers, Local Admin Staff and Project Managers.
9. Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of financial reports in accordance with donor and lead partner requirements and support forecasting activities where required.
10. Support Project Managers and the Country Representative in the preparation of project budgets, budget revisions/amendments and financial projections.
11. Ensure and deliver, when required, training and capacity-building support to COSPE staff, partners, Fiscal Host Organizations and FSTP beneficiaries on administrative, financial and donor compliance procedures
12. Support the Country Representative in the administration of national staff contracts, payroll, leave management, timesheets, insurance, taxes and contract termination processes in compliance with local legislation.
13. Support the CR in the development and updating of the Country Vad mecum, as well as administrative templates, guidelines and instructions for country office staff.
14. Support the Country Representative and supervise the local staff assigned to these functions in the preparation of all legal and administrative documentation required for the registration, establishment and operation of the country office, including fiscal, tax and audit-related requirements.
15. Prepare, in collaboration with the Project Managers and Local Admin Staff, all the required documents for the Financial Support to Third Party (FSTP) Management (selection procedure format, contract, budget, Financial Report format, etc.) and monitor the correct admin and financial management of the approved projects by the FSTP Beneficiaries as per the donors’ Rules and Regulations.
16. Supervise and support on the preparation, submission and monitoring of VAT exemption requests for the needs of the various projects, as well as the administrative monitoring of the contracts of the various service providers and suppliers (lease contracts for the office, contracts for insurance and other types of COSPE agreements with third parties).
17. Supervise and ensure the smooth and effective implementation of office and project audits and ex-post audits, liaising with headquarters and relevant country teams to facilitate audit planning, coordination, documentation, and timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
PROFILE AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualification and experience
· Degree in finance, accounting, economy or related sectors, or specific experience in administrative and accounting management of international projects.
· Minimum 5 years of experience in administrative and accounting management of development cooperation projects.
· In-depth knowledge of the management and reporting rules of the main international donors, in particular the European Union (PRAG).
· In-depth knowledge of the Financial Support to Third Parties tool.
· Experience in financial planning and management control and management of complex partnerships within multi-country projects/programmes; experience in coordinating project audit preparation processes.
· Knowledge of accounting principles and excellent knowledge of information tools and applications and accounting programs.
· Experience in training and ongoing support of staff, including project partners.
· Experience on Human Resource Management.
· Excellent Computer skills in MS Office in particular Word and Excel.
· Possess of valid driving license.
· Excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of other languages (Italian, siSwati and/or Portuguese) is an added value.
Personal Skills
· Predisposition for teamwork and collaboration in multidisciplinary and intercultural contexts.
· Ability to monitor, supervise and support implementing partners as well as FSTP beneficiaries.
· Capacity to work under pressure and under the supervision of other people.
· Good organizational and logistical skills; Proactive and constructive attitude to problem management.
· Capacity to respect deadlines and to timely and properly carry out the job assigned.
· Flexibility and Reliability.
· Ability to relate to partners, suppliers and institutions.
· Strong motivation with respect to COSPE's mission and full and motivated adherence to COSPE's values: Cooperation, Respect, Coherence, Professionalism and Creativity.
GROSS SALARY RANGE
Salary Range: SZL 35,000 – SZL 39,000 gross per month, adjusted based on the candidate's years of experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are kindly requested to send, by the 15/11/2026 an APPLICATION LETTER and detailed CV indicating “Eswatini CADM 2026 Vacancy Post” to the following addresses [email protected]
The applications not reporting all the required qualifications and documents will be rejected.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
COSPE is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Disclaimer:
COSPE believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key elements for the development and sustainability of organizations. We are committed to creating an inclusive work environment that promotes equal opportunities and respects the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and opinions of our staff and partners.
We are committed to ensuring that all phases of the recruitment and selection process are conducted fairly and transparently, valuing skills and qualifications with a decolonial approach. Additionally, we strive to use inclusive and broad language in our communications to avoid any form of gender bias or discrimination.
COSPE guarantees the rights provided by privacy regulations and specifies that it will use the information received solely for recruitment and personnel selection purposes.
