Accountant Job in Western Kenya

Vacancy: Station Accountant
 
Ref No.
 NRS/119/062015

icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences.

Employing more than 500 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. 

icipe has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity. 


The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations not only across Africa but also the globe.

icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Station Accountant in the Finance and Administration Department, Accounting Section. 

The position is tenable at the icipe Thomas Odhiambo Campus in Mbita, on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. 

Overall purpose of the job
  • Ensure that Station cash imprest is safe, both in custody and utilisation.
  • Maintain sound banking procedures for station bank accounts in line with approved financial rules and regulations.
  • Consolidate Station returns and submission to head office as well as preparation of journals to capture transactions in the General ledger.
  • Participate in budget preparation and control.
  • Prepare monthly cash and bank reconciliations.
Responsibilities:
  • Monitoring of Station income and expenses, as well as other sales centres in the Station;
  • Preparing and submitting monthly Station returns for all core units in the Station;
  • Keeping custody of Station imprest, arranging for cash withdrawals from bank, and preparing monthly banking reconciliation;
  • Providing financial advice and interpretation to voteholders for better understanding of management accounts;
  • Assisting in debt collection of station debts;
  • Maintaining an updated record of tenants in the Station;
  • Ensuring that applicable financial rules and procedures are adhered to;
  • Ensuring that all travel advances are accounted on time, in consultation with the Debtors Accountant;
  • Ensuring that the Station reorder level of fuel is observed to avoid fuel crisis in the Station.
Requirements / Qualifications
  • Accounting degree in business administration/finance, with a minimum CPA-II certificate in accounting.
  • Three years of relevant experience.
  • Excellent skills using MS Word, Excel, Access, and Internet Explorer.
  • Familiarity with SunSystems accounting software will be an added advantage.
Knowledge and skills required for performing the job

The suitable candidate must possess the following:
  • Strong organisational skills, be self-motivated and have the drive and enthusiasm to inspire and effectively engage staff with financial issues;
  • Possess exceptional analytical reasoning skills to think problems thoroughly and generate solutions;
  • Self-motivated individual with effective organisational skills;
  • Ability to undertake multiple tasks and prioritise at the same time without losing focus;
  • Ability to work with a team;
  • Proficiency in communicating with the management and staff of the company;
  • Must be proactive, with the ability to meet and surpass set deadlines.
Reporting: This position reports functionally to the General Accounting Manager and administratively to the Station Manager.

The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.
 
This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract. 

How to Apply

All applications must arrive via email on or before 26th June 2015, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. 

Please quote the job reference number NRS/119/062015 on the email subject line. 

Interested applicants should submit:

(a) a confidential cover letter, 

(b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and 
(c) a one-page statement of suitability, and remuneration package to:

stationaccountant@icipe.org
 
A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.


icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer