Finance Manager – SmartLife

Finance Manager – SmartLife

Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: General Manager, CEO

Introduction

SmartLife (http://s martlifekenya.com/) is a kiosk and delivery business that provides safe, clean drinking water and wellness products to low-income urban consumers. The company is directed by leaders from Unilever, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Sm artLife currently operates two stores in Ongata Rongai and Pipeline Embakasi neighbourhoods in Nairobi. Over the past year, the co mpany has developed a strong brand presence and loyal customer base through an efficient, customer-centric service model and is positioned for rapid growth with in existing territories and beyond. Watch us in action!

This is a minimum 1 8-24 month position that will form part of SmartLife’s 2015 expansion plan and ambitious goal of reaching 10 stores by the end of the year. These stores are will be the beginning of a growing franchise model that will bring safe drinking water and improved livelihoods to thousands across Kenya.

General Accountability

• Ensuring effective strategic and operational financial planning
• Monitoring and reporting to enhance the decisi on making process of SmartLife man agement
• Overall management of company accounts
• Monitoring, reviewing and improving internal controls
• Keeping abreast of and reporting on changes in, and implications of, statutory requi ements.

Key Activities and Responsibilities:

• Coordination of the com pany accounting and financial functions.
• Provide advice and guidance to the management on financial and accounting matters, including keeping abreast of changes in financial and accounting regulations and legislation.
• Ensure timely submissions of statut ory returns to the regulatory authori ties.
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
• Analysis of the financial position of the company , and each individual store, and report to the Senior management appropriately.
• Preparation of the budgets, forecasts and monthly financial reports in accordance with WSUP Secretariat and stakeholderr equirements.
• Report fund disbursements and expenses to the WSUP Secretariat in a timely manner in accordance with WSUP policies, procedures and requirements.
• Cash flow planning and management, including monitoring of bank balance to ensure vendors are paid on time, and monitoring cash flow to guarantee adequate availability of funds.
• Monitor, implement and evolve internal controls and periodic store level reviews of the same to ensure compliance including regular store visits.
• Oversee the stores’ financial management and inventory control including monitoring ordering, cash receipts, petty cash management, sales tracking and risk management.
• Ensure reconciliation between in-store ETR receipts and online CRM/Sales recording software.
• Advise Senior Management on suggested requirements and improvements to online CRM/Sales management software.
• Maintain the Company’s accounting information systems and records.
• Plan and ensure efficient use of the company’s finances.
• Monitor the costing and management accounting functions including budgets and forecast.
• Ensure compliance by use of appropriate accounting systems, standards and procedures.
• Direct and supervise the functions of the accounting department including the stores.
• Formulation of accounting policies to ensure proper utilization of company financial resources.
• Prepare monthly payroll.
• Other duties as assigned by Senior Management.

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree in Finance or Accounts from a recognized university
• Qualified or Part Qualified Chartered Accountant / CPA (K) or ACCA
• Languages: Kiswahili- Fluent
• Microsoft Office: Proficient
• Quickbooks: Proficient

Experience

• 6 years progressive work experience gained in a similar role and capacity
• Experience working with and managing non-finance teams.
• Retail and/or start-up and/or social enterprise experience beneficial.
• Extensive experience with Kenyan financial policies and regulations

Competencies

1. Establishing Focus: The ability to develop and communicate goals in support of the business' mission.

o Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the business.
o Ensures that people in the unit understand how their work relates to the business' mission.
o Ensures that everyone understands and identifies with the unit's mission.
o Ensures that the unit develops goals and a plan to help fulfill the business' mission

2. Providing Motivational Support: The ability to enhance others' commitment to their work.

o Recognizes and rewards people for their achievements.
o Acknowledges and thanks people for their contributions.
o Expresses pride in the group and encourages people to feel good about their accomplishments.
o Finds creative ways to make people's work rewarding.
o Signals own commitment to a process by being personally present and involved at key events.
o Identifies and promptly tackles morale problems.
o Gives talks or presentations that energize groups.

3. Fostering Teamwork: As a team leader, the ability to demonstrate interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together.
o Provides opportunities for people to learn to work together as a team.
o Enlists the active participation of everyone.
o Promotes cooperation with other work units.
o Ensures that all team members are treated fairly.
o Recognizes and encourages the behaviors that contribute to teamwork.

4. Managing Change: The ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization's effectiveness; initiating, sponsoring, and implementing organizational change; helping others to successfully manage organizational change.

o Works cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions.
o Takes the lead in setting new business directions, partnerships, policies or procedures.
o Seizes opportunities to influence the future direction of an organizational unit or the overall business.
o Helps employees to develop a clear understanding of what they will need to do differently, as a result of changes in the organization.
o Implements or supports various change management activities (e.g., communications, education, team development, coaching).
o Establishes structures and processes to plan and manage the orderly implementation of change.
o Helps individuals and groups manage the anxiety associated with significant change.
o Facilitates groups or teams through the problem-solving and creative-thinking processes leading to the development and implementation of new approaches, systems, structures, and methods.

5. Managing Performance: The ability to take responsibility for one's own or one's employees' performance, by setting clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against the goals, ensuring feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.

o Ensures that employees have clear goals and responsibilities.
o Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
o Supports employees in their efforts to achieve job goals (e.g., by providing resources, removing obstacles, acting as a buffer).
o Stays informed about employees' progress and performance through both formal methods (e.g., status reports) and informal methods (e.g., management by walking around).
o Provides specific performance feedback, both positive and corrective, as soon as possible after an event.
o Deals firmly and promptly with performance problems; lets people know what is expected of them and when.

Working conditions

• Based at head office in central Nairobi, Kenya with considerable amount of time working with staff in the stores.
• Fast-paced, frugal start-up, fun working culture, hugely talented local staff.

Compensation

SmartLife offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Submit a CV and Cover Letter to hr@smartlifekenya.co.ke, detailing relevant experience against each of the competencies above. The vacancy will remain open until a suitable person has been found.