Since early 2012 techfortrade has been actively involved in the co-creation and development of social impact ventures that have the potential to create systems change in trading value chains. We have observed the challenges that many social start-ups face in developing markets, with very few receiving the support to reach investment readiness, and investors generally not wishing to get directly involved in steering the business development required. However, through our work, we’ve gained first-hand experience and had the opportunity to test different approaches to taking ideas from initial concept to the point of validation, as well as supporting a newly launched venture as it explored different growth strategies.
For the past two years, through a UN and techfortrade funded programme, we have been validating the business model for Open Book Trading, a business service, supported by trading software which is designed to reinvent the role of the middle-man in agricultural trading, bringing professionalism and transparency to smallholder trade and potentially putting millions of dollars of additional income into the pockets of East African farmers. By 2020 Open Book Trading hopes to recruit and support a professional and profitable trader network that will link at least 40,000 smallholder farmers in East Africa to reliable markets, and improve farmer incomes by at least 20%.
tecfortrade is looking for dedicated and highly motived Finance and Administration Manager to oversee the financial operation of the Open Book Trading programme.
Job purpose
To take full and independent responsibility for the smooth running of the financial operations of the programme and management of the financial management arrangements that provide working capital loans to participating traders. This includes management of the financial processes required to distribute such working capital in the form of mobile money payments to farmers and other actors that support these trades, e.g. transporters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Service coordination
- Provide input and support to the development and implementation of solutions to provide working capital (Cash on the Bag) finance to traders, ensuring that relevant banking arrangements and financial systems to support such financing, operate effectively.
- Maintain the OBT financial information system, including managing the databases to track deals, loan disbursements, loan repayments, social impact and efficiency of each deal and report as required to key stakeholders including techfortrade , grant makers and social investors.
- Support the OBT team/partners/advisors on data collection and analysis and provide support as required for the monitoring and evaluation of the service
Financial management
- Ensure OBT operates within its approved budget and in accordance with agreed procedures to authorise and monitor expenditure.
- Oversee and authorise disbursements within agreed guidelines.
- Deliver timely and accurate monthly reporting and effective financial management of all OBT resources. Ensure that all OBT transactions are correctly recorded within the accounting system. Prepare annual forecasts for OBT, capturing all forecast income and expenditure for the OBT service. Prepare, and submit for approval, OBT cash forecasts based on established financial goals.
- Ensure that OBT cash floats are effectively managed and reconciled with bank statements.
- Work closely with the Finance Director to ensure that a proactive approach to financial management systems is fostered, with the introduction of innovative means of maximising the use of technology.
Reporting and compliance
- Prepare regular performance and deal efficiency reports as required in consultation with the OBT team and financing partners to inform due diligence procedures before financing is provided to a deal.
- Ensure compliance with all techfortrade and donor/investor policies and procedures for financial and asset management.
Human Resource Management
- Recruitment and selection of all new staff, in conjunction with the Director
- Ensuring compliance with all national laws Labour & Tax Laws
- Ensuring existence of a valid contract and up-to-date job descriptions for all staff
- Ensuring annual appraisals are performed and objectives agreed with all staff
- Maintain all HR records, including those relating to staff contracts, annual leave, performance appraisals, and emergency contacts
- Manage the process of updating of OBT Staff Terms and Conditions and ensuring compliance with terms contained therein
- Ensuring staff compliance with all policies and guidelines, including those relating to
Health & Safety, Security, and Discrimination
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in this position, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and covering letter which should detail your skills and experiences and how they relate to the job description, tojobs@techfortrade.org. Your covering letter should also include your salary expectations and notice period/available start date. Please indicate the position applied for in the subject line of the email.
Closing date: 15th April 2016
1st Interviews: first interviews are likely to take place week commencing 25th April 2016. Exact dates to be confirmed.
2nd Interviews: Second interviews will take place the week commencing 2nd May 2016. This position is open for Kenyan nationals
