African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
Assistant Grants Accountant
ID: AAS/GA/20/001
Department: Finance and Operations
Reporting To: Grants Accountant
Duration: 3 Years With a Possibility of Extension
Location: Nairobi
Organisation Overview: The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned,
non-political, not-for-profit Pan-African organization headquartered in
Nairobi, with a hosting agreement with the government of Kenya. The AAS’s
vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science.
It is the only continental Academy in
Africa enjoying the support and recognition of the African Union, and with
joint programmes with NEPAD Agency, now the African Union Development Agency
(AUDA), as well as several governments and major international partners.
It has a tripartite mandate: to
recognize excellence through its highly prestigious fellowship and award
schemes; to provide advisory and think tank functions for shaping the
continent’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) strategies and policies;
and to implement key STI programmes aimed at addressing Africa’s developmental
challenges
Job Purpose: The Assistant Grants Accountant will work as part of the
Grants-Finance team at the AAS. They will be responsible for routine pre and
post-award grant administration and related accounting duties, working closely
with the Academy finance team in carrying out the financial management, assist
in budgeting, programme financial reporting and assist in monitoring grantee
compliance and reporting.
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities;
Financial Planning, Budgeting and
Grant Analysis
·
Assist in initiating the process of
planning and developing budgets for new grant proposals and ensuring grantees’
budgets are aligned to AAS policies as well as donor requirements.
·
Work with the supervision of the
Grant Accountants in reviewing budgets submitted by grantees and ensure
financial analysis and forecasting is done to aid in decision making;
Grantee Assessment
·
Be incorporated as team members in
the assessment of the financial capacity of new grantees in-order to mitigate
against financial risks and losses to the Academy.
Grant Monitoring and Financial
Reporting
·
Verify reported programme and grantee
expenses to ensure they are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.
·
Review of grantees reported expenses
through cross examination of expenses and providing feedbacks;
·
Analyse financial transactions to
ensure that they are correctly charged, and financial positions provided to
funders are a true & fair representation of financial position.
·
Prepare reports on current financial
status by ensuring accuracy and correct coding of financial transactions and
reconciliations of grants financial reports in the financial system;
Facilitation of Grant Audits
·
Assist in the audit process by
ensuring auditors are well facilitated in their audit requirements and
exercises.
·
Ensure best practice in the grants
cycle and ensure proper standards are upheld in the grant management roles
undertaken by this position.
Fund Disbursement and Financial
Accounting
·
Process funds to grantees by working
with the Finance team to ensure quick and efficient disbursements.
·
Promote accountability through
accurate posting of financial data and correct coding of expenses in the
financial system.
Academic Qualifications
·
Bachelor’s degree in
Finance/Accounting or related field.
Professional Qualifications
·
Complete professional qualification
in CPA-K/ACCA.
Knowledge and Experience
·
At least 3 years’ relevant experience
in grants accounting working with multi-national funders, experience in finance
operations is an added advantage.
·
Working knowledge of grants
accounting and financial management systems. Working experience with Navision
is an added advantage.
·
Intermediate excel and analytical
skills
·
Knowledge of sub-grantee management
Skills and Attributes
·
Ability to outline and communicate
effective objectives and action plans
·
Good analytical ability and numerical
skills
·
Demonstrate a high degree of
sensitivity, confidentiality when dealing with internal and external customers;
·
Innovative and able to take
initiative
·
Have a high sense of accuracy and
attention for detail;
·
Have good problem analysis and
reporting skills; and
·
High moral standing with impeccable
integrity
Application Process
All applicants must submit a filled
application form here, curriculum vitae, and a cover letter submitted by email
to recruitment@aasciences.africa, with the Position and Vacancy Number as the
Subject no later than March 4 2020.
Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted.
