NGO Jobs in Kenya - Save the Children

Vacancy: Finance Assistant

Position Code:FIN/BUS/2015

Team / Programme:Signature Programme

Location: Busia

Contract Duration:1 year

Grade: 5

Post Type: National
 
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Scope of Role: The Finance Assistant is responsible for managing the day-to-day finance activities in the Busia field office, Kenya programme.  S/he will ensure that all financial activities are carried out in line with Save the Children’s financial procedures.



Role Purpose: SCI Kenya is currently  implementing a signature for maternal and newborn health (MNH) that is expected to significantly contribute to achievement of Kenya’s MDG 4 and 5 targets. 

The programmatic model will actualize continuum of care approach mixed with an integrated package of quick wins, a minimum community health care package and a strengthened health system approach to maternal and newborn health programming across Save the Children’s Theory of Change.

Save the Children will work with the government of Kenya both national and county communities to address the maternal and neonatal health challenges in the country in a way that would deliver significant impacts for Children and Women by the end of the 5 year period.
 
Reports to: Finance officer

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. 

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. 

In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. 

In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. 

Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. 

We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2015 of approximately US$20-25 million.

Staff directly reporting to this post:  None

Key Areas of Accountability:
  • Prepare all cash payments/receipts by recording details on SC vouchers, ensuring prior approval by the budget holder.
  • Maintain cash balances according to the field office finance guidelines and advise the Finance Officer of any cash requirements.
  • Maintain the field office financial spread sheets and ensure all coding is in line with in country coding structure and programme budgets.
  • Carry out weekly and monthly cash counts with senior managers
  • Responsible for preparation and dispatch of all cash salaries for office
  • Issues floats to staff as required ensuring that the proper authorization by the relevant line manager is approved and that floats are reconciled according to the finance guidelines.
  • Ensure proper documentation and filing of all finance documents ensuring good audit trail
  • Must be aware of and follow the programme budget and the donors allocation before committing any expenditure.
  • Perform single account reconciliation using the AGRESSO system.
  • Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the Finance Officer or Area Programme Manager.
  • Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, code of conduct, fraud, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 
Accountability:
  • Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Qualifications and Experience
  • Part 11 (section 4) qualified in a recognized professional qualification in Accounting (CPA, ACCA
  • Minimum two years’ experience in cash management within a busy working environment such as financial institutions, NGOs or INGO’s.
  • Excellent computer skills especially in MS Excel and MS Word.
  • High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team
  • Excellent communication skills and confidence to work with limited direct support.
  • Ability to work under high pressure to meet tight deadlines
  • Strong organisational and time management skills to be able to manage priorities within own workload, identify deadlines and cope with conflicting demands under pressure
  • Good analytical and problem solving skills, with ability to devise appropriate systems and solutions
  • A flexible approach to working and ability to take the initiative where appropriate.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English
Competencies:
  • Has high-level communication skills’, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.
  • Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
  • Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partners
  • Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
  • Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
  • Proven ability to work as a team.

Vacancy: Awards & Finance Assistant
 
Position Code:AWD/DAD/2015
 
Team / Programme:Finance

Location: Dadaab
 
Grade: 5   

Contract Duration: 1 year
 
Post Type: National  (1 year contract with possibility of extension)
 
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

Role Purpose: The Awards & Finance Assistant will support the Finance officer in delivering the Finance teams’ objectives in a timely and accurate manner. 


He/she will, ensure that processing and reporting deadlines are fully met; financial controls and procedures are strictly adhered to by all field office staff.
 
Scope of Role: 

Reports to: Finance Officer 

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. 

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. 

In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. 

Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2015 of approximately US$20-25 million
 
Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Key Areas of Accountability:
  • Assist the Finance Officer in the effective tracking of expenditures/ incomes and collating timely and accurate financial reporting to the donors through the Awards coordinator.
  • Produce monthly budget monitoring reports and overview of the status of grants highlighting issues on over/under spends.  Provide timely financial management information to grant/budget holder/project managers and make sure that they are receiving the necessary information from Agresso output regularly or as they require.
  • Follow up on partner reports and ensure they are reviewed and posted on a monthly basis. Process partner Funds disbursements requests.
  • Support the Finance Officer in reviewing phased budgets and liaise with country office finance to ensure  that budgets posting is timely.
  • Review GLACOS for accurate coding before posting.
  • Checks that reversals/recharges/recordings requested by budget holders are completed by the Finance Team immediately
  • Ensure that grant closure is being dealt with correctly and that no charges are made to closed grants.
  • Support the team with audit process – producing reports.
  • Support   the Finance Officer in developing and maintaining robust and  adequate financial internal control systems and  cash management in line with donor requirements, Save the children Finance manual and  good  accounting practices.
  • Follow up on monthly staff timesheets and reconcile staff effort reporting.
  • Ensure that staff salaries are posted.
  • Perform other finance duties as will be delegated.
Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 
Accountability:
  • Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Qualifications and Experience
  • Bachelor of Commerce or Business Studies degree or equivalent certification and experience.
  • Professional qualifications in Accounting (CPA II  section finalist)
  • Recommended a minimum of 3 years experience in a in budget setting and grants management in INGOs, Accounting & financial management.
  • Familiar with major donor reporting including EC,USAID,UNHCR,BPRM,CIDA
  • Strong working computer skills especially in accounting packages.
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
  • Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
  • Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
  • Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
  • Fluency in English, both verbal and written, preferred
  • Commitment to Save the Children values
How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Code on the subject line by 17th April 2015.  

Due to the urgency of these positions, applications will be reviewed as when we receive them. 


Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.