Finance Officer
Matsapha, Swaziland
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Finance Officer
Host Organisation
Black Mamba Foods (pty) Ltd.
Website of Host Organisation
www.blackmambachilli.com
Duration of Assignment
12 months
Start Date
27 June 2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
25-27 March 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533104
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
Host Organisation Overview
Black Mamba’s mission is to manufacture gourmet chilli products, all made with natural ingredients and
organically grown without artificial flavours or preservatives. They do this while promoting sustainable
farming and empowering small growers in Swaziland, mostly women, by training them in organic
farming and permaculture and buying all their fresh produce used in the manufacturing of the products,
at agreed fair prices.
The main beneficiaries are 50 small-scale, women growers in Gilgal and the 4 fulltime female staff that
manufacture the products in their factory in Matsapha. Black Mamba Foods was born in 2002 when
Joe Roques decided to procure chilli sauce under brand name of Black Mamba. The company had
relative success but never quite took off until Black Mamba started trading in June 2010 at Bush Fire
(the most renowned music& arts festival in Swaziland) with one chilli sauce. Since then, the company
has been growing steadily, and in 2011 Black Mamba in partnership with World Vision and the NGO
Guba launched its Growers Programme, identifying two groups of women who were already working
together in gardens in the area of Gilgal in the Lowveld. Guba then started training the women in
permaculture and organic farming, whilst Black Mamba provided the chilli seedlings and is now buying
all their produce. By doing so, it is ensured that they get a constant income and that the company gets
chillies that are organically grown. Guba is also part of the Growers Programme, growing some of the
chillies needed by Black Mamba, and reinvesting the income obtained in more projects for training
communities in Swaziland into sustainable and organic farming.
Black Mamba has relatively good IT system in place with access to the internet, phone, fax and mail.
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The organisation has various accounting and payroll software as well.
Assignment Overview
The assignment was developed to respond to a human resources gap that Black Mamba has identified
in their organisation. Black Mamba has experienced substantial growth in a short period of time,
resulting in unbalances related to costs and expenses versus income from sales. In order to continue
the expansion and growth, and the support to small farmers, Black Mamba requires the assistance of a
person with experience in costing, cash flows and financial forecasting. Unfortunately the consultants
found locally that have the skills and experience required for this role, are too expensive.
The company is expanding its operations by moving into larger premises to improve its operations and
obtain an international food safety certification, which will allow the company to substantially grow its
sales. By doing so, Black Mamba will be in the position to buy more organic produce from the women
growers it works with, contributing to a sustainable livelihood and reduction in poverty for the women
and supporting permaculture and organic farming practices.
Black Mamba has 3 key partnerships with NGOs in Swaziland, namely; World Vision, Guba and SWIFT
(Swaziland Fair Trade) to ensure that the business applies its ethos of the 3 “p"s as foundations for the
business: people, planet, profit! Improving the financial standing of Black mamba will go a long way in
allowing the company to reach its goal of becoming a globally recognized, socially responsible,
gourmet company, with amazing products, great staff and great social and environmental commitment
to Swaziland, as well as supporting the growth of sustainable farming in Africa by working with small
growers and enforcing permaculture and organic farming practices.
Assignment Objectives


Establish internal financial strategies to review and improve the costing and pricing structure of
the company as well as financial and cash flow forecasting.
Train relevant staff in the above mentioned financial strategies.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:



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Reviewing costing and pricing structures of the company and making suggestions for improvement.
Setting up a framework for financial forecasting and cash flow forecasting.
Defining key financial indicators for the company
Training the managing director and the administrative assistant in all the financial aspect listed
above.
Assignment Information
Line Manager
Managing Director
Hours & Days of employment
From 08:00 am to 05:00 pm, Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch.
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The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave entitlements
Some out of hours work may be required if there are events being held, however, the work week would
not exceed 40 hours.
Language skill and level required
Willingness to learn local language
Language support
AVI will provide funding for basic language training with an AVI approved local language trainer.
Living as a Volunteer
Swaziland is a small country of 1.2 million people and 17,364 square kilometres. It is the smallest
country in the southern hemisphere and the second smallest in Africa (after Gambia). Despite its
pocket size, Swaziland offers a variety of geographic features, climate zones and a biodiversity not
possessed by many larger countries.
Black Mamba is located in Matsapha, Swazland’s industrial capital. Matsapha is 15 minutes’ drive from
Manzini, the commercial capital of Swaziland. The other major city is Mbabane, the political capital
where most government offices are located.
The currency in Swaziland is the Emalangeni, which is tied to the South African Rand.
Manzini offers large shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants, banks,
physiotherapist and dentist. Accommodation is mostly small rented apartments.
an
optometrist,
Geographically, Manzini is relatively flat. It is a bustling and energetic urban centre.
The Swazis are friendly people who are proud of their traditions and culture. Swazis have two main
religions: Christianity and traditional beliefs in ancestry. The primary modes of transportation in
Swaziland are taxis, public buses and minibuses (kombis). Kombis travel between towns on regular
schedules (i.e. when full). It is advised however not to board a kombi if it is too crowded. Roads are
generally in good condition in the larger towns and cities.
The Black Mamba factory has a fully equipped office with good communications available: mail, fax,
phone, and the internet are all available.
Swaziland has only one international mobile telephone network, which allows for internet services,
phone calls and text messages on a 3G network. Volunteers are advised to either get ADSL or a
dongle in order to access the internet at home which will costs around AUD$40 per month. It is also
possible to buy internet data for your phone at a reasonable rate. Mobiles are the most common
communication tool and credit costs AUD$0.28 per minute for local calls. Internet is about AUD$1.50
per hour at internet cafes. Some restaurants also provide free Wi-Fi.
A volunteer doesn’t necessarily require a car, however much depends on where your accommodation
is. Public transport is mostly reliable however if the volunteer wants more flexibility it is advised they
purchase a car once in country. A good quality, second hand car can be bought for roughly E30, 000
($AUD3,000). When driving and walking around Manzini one must take normal precautions. It’s also
advisable that volunteers don’t walk around Manzini after dark. Taxis are reliable and affordable. A list
of good taxi drivers’ numbers will be provided upon arrival.
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Other Requirements
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
Please click here for more details about preparing your application.
Please click here to learn more about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer.
First–Aid Competency
Apply First Aid Certificate (HLTFA 311A) or equivalent course dated within 3 years of the start date of
the assignment.
Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Finance – with Honours or Masters an added advantage
Essential Skills & Experience
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Demonstrable experience in costing and financials for manufacturing companies.
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Strong numerical ability and all round business acumen to assist the business with growth and
streamlining.
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Familiarity with financial computer programs particularly MS Office (Excel) and ideally Pastel.
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Previous experience in working alongside and building the skills of others through formal and/or
informal training and coaching.
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Previous experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally food production.
The ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
AVI
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 1450.00/month
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AVI
AUD 650.00/month
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Housing
Black Mamba will provide the volunteer with a fully furnished 1 bed room cottage with a kitchen, lounge,
bathroom/shower and a garden & lock up garage with a fence, security guard and alarm system in
Ezulwini. The cottage is located in one of the main shopping precincts in the tourist hub of Swaziland –
The Gables shopping centre in Ezulwini. There are supermarkets, café’s with good internet access,
restaurants, banks, chemists etc. Just around the corner is an excellent medical clinic and small
hospital.
The Gables is half way between the 2 main cities of Mbabane and Manzini. The volunteer’s water,
electricity will also be covered but the volunteer will need to pay for cable TV subscription. The cottage
has access to a swimming pool and is adjacent to Mantenga Wildlife Sanctuary. The volunteer should
be prepared to purchase linen i.e. bedding, towels, and curtains to suit their own individual taste.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
•
Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
•
In-country Orientation on arrival
•
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
•
Visa expenses
•
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
•
Return airfare to country of assignment
•
Psychological and medical advice and support services
•
Re-entry Support services
•
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
•
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
How to Apply
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International
Development program, an Australian Government initiative.
www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
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