Grants and Contracts Accountant Job in Nairobi, Kenya

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organizations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives.

To facilitate this and in service to the older people, we seek to fill below vacancies in various projects and support services.

Job Title: Grants and Contracts Accountant – Kenya Program

Department: Finance & Administration

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Responsible To: Finance Manager – Kenya Program

Responsible For: N/A

Contract Duration: 3 years

Relations with Others: Close working relationship with Project Managers, Regional Office finance staff, Kenya Program Affiliates and Partners

Purpose: Responsible for budgeting, financial accounting and reporting of assigned Kenya based grants and donor projects and providing financial support and training to Kenya Program staff and implementing partners, specifically for HSNP and other projects in North-Eastern Kenya

Responsibilities:

1.1 Grant and Contract Management
  • Prepare and submit to Finance Manager interim and final donor financial reports for review, at least one week before the due date
  • Prepare and circulate monthly monitoring (expense vs. budget) report to programme managers as per the set deadlines for assigned project codes
  • Promptly follow-up and make adjustments to monthly and interim donor reports based on feedback from the program managers.
  • Discuss project performance with Project managers on a monthly basis
  • Review monthly donor reports with the relevant managers and point out areas with financial risks in line with donor conditions for the managers to take proactive corrective action.
  • Assist project managers with budget re-alignment and other budgetary issues
  • Ensure expenses are charged to correct project and budget lines
  • Receive, review and correct monthly returns from implementing partners for assigned projects and post into the SUN System.
  • Assist in getting monthly cash flow requirements from implementing partners and project managers and forwarding this to the Finance Manager for consolidation and forwarding to Regional Office.
  • Keep a file for each project and filing all returns and other correspondence on file and ensuring security and confidentiality of the documents in line with HelpAge policy on document retention, retrieval and archiving.
  • Periodically visit partners and review their financial and administrative policies and procedures, identify shortcomings and train partners in such areas.
  • Receive and review supporting documentation from partners

1.2 Budgeting
  • Train and assist project managers and partners in proposal budget preparation for various donors
  • Train and assist project managers and partners in budget re-aligmnet and review
  • Train and assist project managers and partners in budget phasing and preparation of DBs for SUN system.
  • Produce budget monitoring information (PMS) and revew with the budget holders and project team.

1.3 Others
  • Contribute the improvement of financial policies and procedures by providing feedback on their effectiveness.
  • Other Features of the Job (Working conditions etc)
  • The position is based in Nairobi but with intermittent travels to the field to assist partners with training and other donor compliance issues.

Person Specification:

Essential:
  • Good working knowledge of SUN Systems accounting package, spreadsheets, power point and database packages.
  • Ability to work independently and make good routine decisions.
  • Excellent command of English and Kiswahili both written and oral

Experience:
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an NGO multi-cultural setting in a similar position

Knowledge/Skills:
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Training skills
  • Performance management skills.

Education Criteria:
  • A Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a CPAII or equivalent professional level

Desirable:
  • Firm
  • Stress tolerance
  • Building partnership
  • Attention to detail
  • Able to work with limited supervision
  • Proactive and reliable

How to Apply

To apply, send an updated CV and covering letter by 18th July, 2014 explaining how you meet the criteria for the role.

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email and send to:

Regional Human Resources Coordinator
HelpAge International
East, West and CentralAfrica Regional Development Centre,
P.O. Box 14888 – 00800
Westlands, Nairobi


Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.


HelpAge International is an Equal Opportunities Employer