NGO Jobs in Kenya – Nuru

About the Organization: Nuru Kenya is a non-governmental organization currently working in Migori County, Kenya. Nuru Kenya’s mission is to end extreme poverty in remote, rural areas of Kenya. 

To this end, Nuru implements a holistic development model working with programs in Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, and Education. 

Nuru Kenya has established its initial cooperatives and is working towards strengthening those cooperatives so that they are effective in delivering services to its members. 

Position: Cooperative Accountant 
 
Employer: Nuru Kenya
 
Location: Isibania, Kenya
 
Job Type: Full Time, Contract
 
Number of positions: 1

Overview of the Job:
 Reporting directly to the Market Linkages & Cooperatives Manager, the Co-operative accountant will help establish and oversee all cooperative accounting systems. Maintain general and subsidiary ledgers and prepares operating and financial statements and preparation of budgets. 

Specific Responsibilities:
  • Install and commission an adequate and effective accounting system within the Co-operatives;
  • Render reports on the financial condition and operations of the Co-operative monthly, annually or as may be required by Management Committee and/ or General Assembly or Nuru Kenya;
  • Provide assistance to Management Committee in the preparation of annual budget;
  • Keep, maintain and preserve all books of accounts, documents, vouchers, contracts and other records concerning the business of the Co-operative and make them available for auditing purposes;
  • Develop systems so cooperatives are able to track and report loan collection/ repayment using appropriate instruments;
  • Review accounting transactions for completeness, internal accuracy, and conformity with established accounting classifications;
  • Communicate with regulatory and industry agencies on system reporting requirements such as KRA;
  • Build accounting related proficiency and capacity of Cooperative Managers and Mangement Committees
  • Perform such other duties as the immediate supervisor may require.
Note that this Job description can be reviewed and changed if need be by the management

Qualifications:
  • Be a holder of Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a Business related course and with at least CPA VI
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience working as an Accountant, 1 of which must be in a Co-operative setting or a similar institution
  • Those with CPA Section 6 and a Minimum of five (5) years working Experience in the same position will be considered
  • Must have good analytical and communication skills
  • Must have knowledge of at-least one Accounting Software relevant to Co-operative business accounting
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to work independently
  • Desire to work with rural farmers in field conditions; experience in this setting preferred
  • Previous experience working in a cereal marketing co-operative society is an advantage
  • Be a Kenyan citizen
  • Fluent in English and Swahili

Position: Cooperative Manager 
 
Employer: Nuru Kenya
 
Location: Isibania, Kenya
 
Job Type: Full Time, Contract
 
Number of positions: 5

Overview of the Job:
 The Cooperative Manager will be responsible for managing and controlling the overall day-to-day administration, operation, coordination and control of all aspects of the Cooperative and its subsidiary operations (if any) in accordance with approved financial and operational plans. 

This includes but not limited to; strategic planning; capacity building and development of cooperative leaders; and in setting up accounting, bookkeeping and administrative systems for cooperatives. 

Managers will initially be employed by Nuru Kenya so they are also held responsible for achieving organizational goals and milestones in collaboration with Nuru supported cooperatives. 

Directly reports to Market Linkages and Co-operatives Manager (Nuru Kenya) and accountable to the Co-operative Management Committee. 

Specific Responsibilities:
 
In the performance of these duties and responsibilities, position holder will utilize to the best of his/her abilities to strengthen the Co-op and the Co-op System in the short term and long term:
  •  To give advice, assistance and training to the Management Committee and members of the Cooperative in managing their affairs;
  • To guide and administer the affairs of the Co-operative in keeping with sound business practices and the objectives of the organization and to ensure profitable operations and positive cash flows;
  • To be responsible for all Human Resource matters, concerning hiring, training, promoting, demoting or firing of Co-operative employees;
  • To be responsible for achieving the Co-operatives objective of the training and development of local staff;
  • To ensure a high level of member and customer service is provided to all patrons of the Co-operative at all times;
  • To develop and maintain the Co-operative’s position externally with county and national governments, development organizations (Nuru Kenya), business groups and the general public;
  • To manage, control and protect all assets of the Co-operative, including Nuru seed capital, agricultural inputs and loan repayment from members, from all types of loss;
  • Coordinate loan repayment and collection from farmers through the management committee;
  • To efficiently manage and control all fixed assets of the Co-operative to ensure they maintained in top quality condition and are protected from loss and obsolescence by developing, implementing and administering policies and procedures that control the use of assets and provide for regular and periodic maintenance;
  • To plan, facilitate and participate in trainings aimed at strengthening relevant skills for co-operative managers and other committee members;
  • To maintain good and regular communication with the Management Committee, members of the Co-operative, and with Nuru staff including monitoring of co-operative performance and reporting of updates and results to Nuru Kenya
  • To coordinate meetings for the cooperative including regular and special meetings of the Management Committee as well as the annual general meeting(s) of the cooperative
  • To attend all meetings of the Management Committee and to provide regular written and oral reports on the monthly operations of the Co-operative, interpreting financial statements, reporting on correspondence and activities and advising on policies and future planning.
  • To prepare and present to the Management Committee for approval the annual operating and financial plan (budget) of the Co-operative;
  • To recommend, administer, control and supervise all policies of the Co-operative including policies and procedures relating to credit, operations and human resources;
  • To appraise continually the operating results of the Co-operative and to take prompt corrective action as required to ensure all operations are viable;
  • To control and supervise the finances (custody of cash, cheque writing, borrowing, etc.) of the Co-operative and strive for high levels of efficiency and maintain a careful and judicious control of expenses as well as accurate record keeping;
  • To keep informed of general business and economic conditions, legislation, new developments and problems that may affect the position of the Co-operative.
  • To continuously upgrade and maintain the skills and abilities necessary to manage the various areas of operation and business units;
  • To perform other duties as required for the proper management of the association.
Note that this Job description can be reviewed and changed if need be by the management

Qualifications:
  • Be a holder of a Diploma in Cooperative Management or any other related course
  • 2-3 years of experience in operation, management and/or development of agricultural cooperative societies or
  • A Certificate in Cooperative Management with over 4 years’ experience working with Agricultural Cooperative societies
  • Strong quantitative skills; specifically demonstrated ability to create and execute budgets and business plans
  • Experience with training and capacity building of small scale farmers preferred
  • Detailed understanding of challenges facing small scale farmers, grain/agricultural produce markets and cooperatives in Kenya
  • Proven track record of successfully managing a cooperative
  • Experience in conducting trainings
  • Mobilization skills
  • Strong computer skills, specifically in Microsoft Office 
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to work independently
  • Desire to work with rural farmers in field conditions
  • Be a Kenyan citizen 
  • Fluent in English and Swahili

Position: Market Linkages & Cooperatives Assistant Manager 
 
Employer: Nuru Kenya
 
Location: Isibania, Kenya
 
Job Type: Full Time, Contract
 
Number of positions: 1

Overview of the Job:
 Reporting to the Market Linkages & Cooperatives Manager, the ideal candidate is expected to support the ML&COOP Manager in organizing farmers; linking farmers/cooperatives to markets; registering cooperatives; strategic planning; capacity building and development of cooperative leaders; and in setting up accounting, bookkeeping and administrative systems for cooperatives.

Specific Responsibilities:
  • Assist in researching and locating markets for Nuru farmers’ produce and develop and implement strategy to link Nuru farmers & cooperatives to fair markets.
  • Assist in management of aggregation, buying, storing, and selling operations and staff during harvest and buying season.
  • Research and explore funding and investment opportunities for improving or expanding Nuru’s market linkage operations.
  • Inform Nuru Kenya and organized farmers on cooperative establishment in Kenya including topics such as laws and policies, best practices, registration procedures, etc.
  • Assist the Agriculture and Financial Inclusion Program staff with the organization of farmers into cooperatives and facilitate the registration of cooperatives.
  • Deliver trainings for rural cooperative capacity-building; including cooperative management, staffing plans, democratic leadership and cooperative business plan development.
  • Help Nuru Kenya and cooperative societies in setting up and maintaining accounting and record keeping systems with strong financial controls.
  • Execute financial models that appropriately balance farmer welfare and organizational sustainability for Nuru Kenya’s market linkage and agricultural loan initiatives.
  • Liaise with government cooperative development and marketing offices and resolve any policy and administrative issues that may arise.
  • Deputize the ML & Coop Manager when absent and as directed and to competently perform all assigned/ delegated duties
  • Supervise Cooperatives Managers and Accountant
  • Perform other duties as required.
Note that this Job description can be reviewed and changed if need be by the management

Qualifications:
  • BSC in Cooperative Management, Agribusiness Management or any other related course.
  • 5-6 years of experience in operations, management and/or development of agricultural cooperative societies
  • Strong quantitative skills; specifically demonstrated ability to create and execute financial models and business plans
  • Experience with agribusiness or cereal markets in Kenya
  • Detailed understanding of challenges facing small scale farmers, grain/agricultural produce markets and cooperatives in Kenya
  • Strong computer skills, specifically in Microsoft Office suits 
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to work independently
  • Desire to work with rural farmers in field conditions
  • Experience supervising staff will be an added advantage
  • Be a Kenyan Citizen
  • Fluent in English and Swahili
Working Conditions: Work will be performed in the office, and sometimes in the field. Some work is also expected from the computer at home during evenings and weekends during busier seasons.

Remuneration:
 Commensurate with demonstrated skills and experience.

Nuru Kenya is an Equal Opportunity Employer, we give equal opportunity to all qualified candidates.
 

Application Process:
 
Interested applicants should submit their application; resume and cover letter supported by at least two known references. 

Candidates to also attach a valid Certificate of Good Conduct, kindly quote your current and expected salary.  

Complete your application in English, include your phone number, and email it to mlc@nuru.co.ke by the 15th of February, 2016 at 5pm EAT. 

We will only accept email applications. Please outline how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Indicate the job title as the Heading/subject of your application. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note:
 
Incomplete applications will not be considered

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification

We do not charge or accept money as a fee at any stage in our hiring process.

See www.nuruinternational.org for further information about the organization.