Vacancy: Finance Controller
Organization: Adeso - African
Development Solutions
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Program
/ Duty Station: Nairobi,
Kenya
Duration: One year renewable
Salary
Grade: International
Grade D
Organizational
Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international
development and humanitarian organization.
At
Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full
potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which
Africans can thrive.
Our
belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a
healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming.
We
work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community
well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work,
providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
For
the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental
awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects
in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso
has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
Adeso
is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It
offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and
development.
Position
Summary: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Finance
Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting and
reporting activities.
The
Finance Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations including
functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts
receivable, payroll, and grants administration.
The
Finance Controller will ensure that Adeso has the systems and procedures in
place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits.
The
Finance Controller will work closely with program leaders and their staffs, not
only to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures but also to
explore how the finance function can support program operations.
In addition, s/he will partner with the CFO, senior leadership, and the human resources (HR) and information technology (IT) staff to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and IT functions.
In addition, s/he will partner with the CFO, senior leadership, and the human resources (HR) and information technology (IT) staff to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and IT functions.
Position
Purpose: To
maximize return on financial assets by establishing financial policies,
procedures, controls, and reporting systems.
Specific
Roles and Responsibilities
A.
Ensuring finance policy compliance
- Ensure
that the country offices finance functions are in line with the Adeso
global finance policy and established organizational practices.
- Ensure
that donor rules and regulations are adhered to in finance management of
specific projects.
- Establish
and implement Country specific finance systems, and guidelines.
- Work
closely with the Countries Management of Adeso to discuss on finance
management policies and provide timely advice on any issues related to
compliance, fraud, under or over spending of project grants and finance
staffing issues.
- Closely
look at the issue of cost effectiveness and provide recommendations and
guidance to the management team.
- Understand
and share information related to local government statutory requirements
related to financial issues and ensures compliance with tax regulations
and any other legal requirements.
B. Establishing effective internal finance controls
- Ensure
that established internal control systems for Adeso are in place. Review
on effective implementation of these systems regularly and reporting any
discrepancies to Adeso CFO and Country management.
- Oversees
the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, NEP) through the
enforcement of internal control policies and procedures.
- Ensure
that the authorization matrix for the Adeso countries program is updated
and approvals are in line with the matrix.
- Review
should include the allocation of salaries based on timesheets, and an
overall assessment of the general controls that are in place, provide
recommendations if necessary.
- Document
in-country policies regarding advances and maximum cash balances and
general cash and banking situation in the Country Offices.
- Review
for adequacy and reasonableness, the documentation for delineating
authority for approving transactions, procurements, disbursements.
- Ensure
that authorized signatory list and bank information forms are regularly
updated and hardcopies are on file.
- Identify
requirements for and develop reporting formats to aid in the management of
Adeso Countries program operations and grant expenditures.
- Undertake
internal control audits, report the same and in discussion with the CFO,
initiate actions necessary to correct any internal control weaknesses.
- Facilitate
and co-ordinates external, internal, donor or government audits.
- Use
the Field Office Monitoring Checklist (FOMC) as a tool to ensure effective
finance function at field offices.
- Documentation-
ensure that all relevant finance documents are appropriately filed (soft
and print copy), ensuring quality referencing for the filed documents, and
safety of the documents.
C. Perform accounting and finance management functions
- In
compliance with Adeso policy, establish country policies regarding cash
holding limits, cash movements and foreign currency holdings.
- Ensure
the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s
foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses.
- Liabilities
– Severance/Accounts Payable/Taxes Payable- ensure that the Adeso
severance policy is not in conflict with local labor laws; ensure that
items in accounts payable relate to open grants; discuss the office
methodology for accrual and payment of taxes to ensure it is in compliance
with local law.
- Supervises
all bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of
fees, interest and currency exchange rates.
- Design,
implement, and monitor systems, procedures and reporting necessary to
maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for
meeting future spending, including commitments entered into and which
obligate Adeso to future spending.
- Review
and approve field offices Cash Transfer Requests and ensures that
appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation.
- Implement
the Use of Adeso ERP system in all Country offices.
D. Preparation of project budgets for donor grants
- Preparation
and revision of program and grant proposals and budgets in line with donor
guidelines, and Adeso and donor formats.
- Keep
the country operating budget as a reference in development of grants
budgets.
- Guide
finance and non-finance staff in preparation of grant budgets and review
the same.
- Review
and finalise partner grant budgets ensuring cost effectiveness, clarity of
budgets.
E. Quality Finance Staff Management
- Supervise
and oversee all finance staff in Nairobi office and provide technical
support to Somalia and other program finance staff.
- Ensure
regular training of the staff on compliance issues and monitor performance
- Organize
a finance workshop regularly for all finance team.
- Advice
the Country management on finance staffing issues for the country program,
including issues of non-performance, staffing gaps, training needs etc
- Identify
capacity building needs for the finance staff and ensure their
participation in relevant training.
- Undertake
regular training and orientation of the non-finance staff on issues such
as preparation of budgets, BVA report analysis and monitoring of spending.
F. Team Leadership
- Leverage
strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and
responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to
maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals;
- Provide
leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all
levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and
supportive work environment.
Skills and Qualifications
- Minimum
of a BA; BCOM and/or MBA preferred.
- Professional
accounting qualification (CPA/ACCA/CIMA/CFA).
- Eight
(8) years of accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in
accounting and audit, followed by experience gathering, evaluating,
presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and
external stakeholders.
- Experience
working in a complex NGO(s) with multiple programs.
- Provide
leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all
levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and
supportive work environment.
- Personal
qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to Adeso’s
mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker.
- Solid
experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget
development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger,
payroll, and accounting for investments.
- A
track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and
reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential.
- Technology
savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and
managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of
accounting and reporting software.
- Commitment
to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the
foresight and ability to delegate accordingly.
- Keen
analytic, organization and problem solving skills which allows for
strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting.
- Strong
interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively
communicating key data, including presentations to senior management,
board or other outside partners.
- Ability
and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all
levels including finance and non-finance managers.
Application Process
This
is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated
professional.
If
you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to
jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter.
Kindly
note that applications screening and interviews will be on a rolling basis.
Each application should be addressed to the HR Director and include the following:
- An
updated CV; and
- An
application letter which should include remuneration requirements and
contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not
be reviewed.
Only
short-listed candidates will be contacted.