Self Help Africa Partnership and Finance Officer Job in Nairobi

Self Help Africa is an International NGO supporting rural development projects in nine African countries in order to reduce poverty among rural communities through local demand-driven initiatives in agriculture.Our goal is to support smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods in a viable and sustainable manner.
We work with rural communities to bring sustainable solutions to the causes of hunger and poverty; enables local people to tackle challenges in ways which are practical, cost effective, and sustainable.
Self Help Africa seeks to recruit suitable candidate to fill the position of:
Job Title: Partnership and Finance Officer
Company: Self Help Africa – Kenya
Department: Finance
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reports to: Head of Finance and Administration (HoFA)
Job Purpose:
The Partnership and Finance Officer will support the existing finance department in Self Help Africa.
S/he will be directly responsible for providing guidance and support to all the local partner organisations funded and managed by the Kenya Country Programme.
This will include but not be limited to the identification of training requirements, provision of training, undertaking risk assessment and internal audit assignments and the provision of assistance and advice on financial systems and procedures for best practice.
Key Responsibilities:
Partner Management

Assist partners in developing their own financial management and procurement policy guidelines where necessary;

Map the partner budgets to standard SHA nominal codes;

Monthly review of partner disbursement requests, trial balance, financial templates, reports and statements received from the partners;

Assist in the reconciliation and monitoring of the partner advance accounts in PSF (accounting software);

Develop a training schedule and undertake the training & ongoing mentoring of all partners to ensure they have a stronger financial system and structure in place;

Coordinate regular internal audit scrutiny of local partner organisations, ensuring their financial systems and controls are of an appropriate standard to ensure security and effective management of funds advanced by SHA;

Assist HQ in the development of a reporting template for partners, and prepare transactions for posting into PSF by the Finance Officer;

Review of finance documents and regular field visit to partners project implementation areas offices;

With support from the Head of Finance and Administration, lead the coordination of annual external audit for the country partner programmes component in the SHA annual audit;

Perform comprehensive due diligence procedures/exercises on potential partners;

Perform any other duties as assigned by Head of Finance and Administration from time to time;Proposals and Funding Initiatives

In conjunction with the Programmes team and HoFA assist in the preparation of budgets in line with the donor proposal guidelines/scoping documents.

Regulatory Environment

Keep up to date with any changes in the regulatory environment (PBO Act, NGO Board, KRA and any laws that would affect the operations of the country programme.

Propose mitigating measures and measures for the compliance/adaption to the changes to the organization.

Assess whether Finance policies within the country are up to date and propose any changes.

Represent the organization at such forums and with regulatory stakeholders if need be.

Ensure annual returns are prepared and completed and submitted to the relevant authorities.

Assist the programme team in terms of guidance in the formation of the Farmer Cooperatives and Farmer Associations/management.Key Relationships:
Internal

Country management team

Country Finance Team

Finance Managers, HQ

Programme Support Coordinators, HQExternal

Stakeholders, government departments, external auditors, donor auditors

Executive Director and Finance personnel of all partner organizations,Knowledge and Experience:

At least 5 years experience in financial management and/or administration preferably in the NGO sectorQualifications / Other Requirements:
Essential

Internationally recognised Accounting Qualification (CA, ACA, CIMA, CPA)

Strong technical abilities and up to date knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Fluency in spoken and written English

Experience in the preparation and review of management accounts and the critical analysis of a trial balance

Must be willing to travel as this position will involve over 60% staff time of travelling in a monthDesirable

Experience in managing multiple donor grants and understanding of major donor requirements

Experience of internal audit and / or undertaking risk assessment or internal control reviews

Experience of managing, training and supporting staffRole Competencies:

Excellent verbal, analytical, organisational and written skills

People management skills

Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values

Excellent ICT skills including a good knowledge of MS Office and accounting software

Attention to detail and the ability to critically review and analyse financial reportsHow to Apply
Qualified candidates should send a covering letter and a completed application form check; Application Form – Partnership & Finance Officer, Kenya to Download the Form) by E-mail to:pauline.mungo@selfhelpafrica.net.
Please type “PFO Kenya - [your name]” in the subject line of the e-mail.
The closing date for receiving applications is not later the Close of Business on Wednesday the 28th of January 2015.
Please do not send certificates at this stage.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Self help Africa is committed to equal employment opportunities and diversity
Self Help Africa is an equal opportunities employer