African Wildlife Foundation
(AWF)
Finance Assistant
Nairobi, Kenya
In Africa, the best schools, qualified teachers, and majority of educational resources typically end up in cities and towns.
In Africa, the best schools, qualified teachers, and majority of educational resources typically end up in cities and towns.
The disadvantages rural
schools face in accessing quality education in comparison to their urban
counterparts is problematic.
Classroom Africa provides communities with educational opportunities and resources in exchange for the community’s participation in conservation.
Classroom Africa is about
more than simply constructing or renovating school buildings. Classroom Africa
intends to deliver improved educational outcomes for children through teacher
professional development, conservation education, technology and media, and
others areas of need.
Further, Classroom Africa
aims to build a sense of ongoing community ownership of these program-supported
schools, and a sustainable economic model linking in local businesses.
Classroom Africa also represents a significant opportunity for growth within AWF, allowing the organization to tap into new philanthropic markets and reach new supporter audiences—those individuals and institutions that may not necessarily be focused on conservation, but more aligned with programs supporting children’s education, rural development, social services, and related causes.
Classroom Africa is an exciting program within AWF, and is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
Classroom Africa also represents a significant opportunity for growth within AWF, allowing the organization to tap into new philanthropic markets and reach new supporter audiences—those individuals and institutions that may not necessarily be focused on conservation, but more aligned with programs supporting children’s education, rural development, social services, and related causes.
Classroom Africa is an exciting program within AWF, and is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
The Role: The
Classroom Africa team is now at the stage where a finance support role is
required.
Reporting directly to the
Vice President, Management Systems, this person will assist in the financial
administration of the Classroom Africa program, both in its current projects
and help support the future growth of the program and the team.
Duties will incorporate review and financial administration of current contracts, budgetary reviews, and providing advice/guidance to the team on financial adherence to contracts.
Duties will incorporate review and financial administration of current contracts, budgetary reviews, and providing advice/guidance to the team on financial adherence to contracts.
The Financial Assistant will
work closely with the Vice President on budgeting and forward planning for the
growth of the program.
Assisting the VP in financial
modeling, cash flow projections and report creation will be key functions of
the role.
The Finance Assistant will
support the VP in developing financial reports for submission to the Chief
Operating Officer and the Classroom Africa Board of Trustees. Based on
historical spending, the Finance Assistant will work with the Classroom Africa
team to support budget development for new proposals and programs.
The Finance Assistant will be required to work closely with other departments within AWF, including the Treasury, Procurement, Grants and Contracts teams.
In addition to specific Classroom Africa activities, the Finance Assistant may have the opportunity to work with the VP and the rest of the Management Systems Team on building, maintaining and improving overall project managements for use within AWF, potentially including the development of reporting mechanisms for use across the organization.
This role is best suited for a recent Bachelors graduate early in a career, who is interested in financial and program management, strategy, budgeting, and analysis.
The Finance Assistant will be required to work closely with other departments within AWF, including the Treasury, Procurement, Grants and Contracts teams.
In addition to specific Classroom Africa activities, the Finance Assistant may have the opportunity to work with the VP and the rest of the Management Systems Team on building, maintaining and improving overall project managements for use within AWF, potentially including the development of reporting mechanisms for use across the organization.
This role is best suited for a recent Bachelors graduate early in a career, who is interested in financial and program management, strategy, budgeting, and analysis.
The role will require
flexibility, forward thinking, a willingness to learn, and a sense of
humor.
The Finance Assistant will
gain exposure to various other departments within the organization, including
significant exposure to field programs, program implementation, program
management systems and M&E.
This new role presents an exciting opportunity to join the Classroom Africa team in its relatively early stages, and participate in the growth of the program and its importance to both AWF and conservation on the continent.
This new role presents an exciting opportunity to join the Classroom Africa team in its relatively early stages, and participate in the growth of the program and its importance to both AWF and conservation on the continent.
Responsibilities
Financial Management
Financial Management
- Monitor all
financial transactions for Classroom Africa.
- Work with
Treasury team to ensure prompt payment of invoices.
- Quality check
all financial transactions to ensure proper coding and recording.
Program Reporting
- Prepare
monthly Classroom Africa financial reports including analysis on actual
expenditures versus budgets, year-to-date status, and life-of-project
reporting per established reporting guideline.
- Prepare
monthly Classroom Africa financial statements for the program, including
revenues vs. expenditures and net cash positions.
- Work with VP
and COO to support preparation of quarterly financial reports for
Classroom Africa Board of Trustees.
Donor Financial Reporting
- Work with
Grants team to ensure proper set-up of new grants.
- Working
closely with the Grants team, support development of financial reporting
for donors and project-related sponsors.
Contracting and Contract
Administration
- Assist VP and
team on contract development, in coordination with Contracts team.
- Monitor all
invoices and payments to contractors to ensure compliance to contracts and
reconciliation of payments vs budgets.
Data Analysis, Forecasting
and Budgeting
- With VP and
Program Manager, develop quarterly cash flow projections for submission to
Treasury team.
- Support VP in
the development and submission of program financial metrics.
- Work with team
in budget preparation for new sites and projects.
- Develop and
run ad-hoc reports as required.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s
degree in Finance or Accounting, Certified Public Accountant designation,
or related relevant degree required.
- At least two
years of work experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, grant
financial management, cash management, or related duties.
- Knowledge of,
and prior experience with, financial management software advantageous;
prior experience with Serenic Navigator and/or SQL strongly preferred.
- Intermediate
to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; knowledge and
proficiency in Jet Reports considered an advantage.
- Prior
experience within a finance department of a non-governmental organization,
non-profit, or other grant-based institution considered advantageous.
- Excellent
English oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills,
flexibility, and cultural sensitivity. Knowledge of French and/or
local languages preferred.
- The
entrepreneurial drive and passion to maximize the potential of the
Classroom Africa program and AWF at large.
- Willingness to
travel, sometimes to remote locations within Africa.
- Demonstrated
commitment to conservation in Africa.
CLICK HERE to apply online