NGO Jobs in Kenya – USAID (BOMA Project)

The BOMA Project

We are hiring a Finance Manager!

About Us: BOMA implements a high-impact data driven poverty graduation program (REAP) for women in the drought- threatened arid lands of Northern Kenya. 

We put ultra-poor women at the centre of our work by helping them build a pathway out of extreme poverty. 


REAP addresses three elements that contribute to the cycle of aid dependency in the arid lands of Africa: low incomes, inconsistent cash flows and inadequate financial services for poor rural women.
 

We help them to start small businesses in their rural communities, so they can pay for food, school fees and medical care for their families.
 
Profits from each REAP business provides a diversified income, while BOMA savings associations help women to manage cash flow (for daily needs), plan for future expenses (such as school fees and medical care), and respond to shocks (such as drought or family emergencies).

Our team of 56 works with 14,482 women so far and have a goal to reach 1 million women across East Africa. 

As we plan to scale our impact to serve more regions in Northern Kenya and the rest of East Africa, we seek a self driven passionate individual to join our growing team.
 
About the role: The Finance Manager is a new role that will be responsible for the overall financial management of the BOMA Project’s East Africa operations. This position is critical in helping set up the BOMA Project for its next phase of growth.  

You will work closely with the Chief Financial Officer based in Vermont, USA to strengthen existing financial systems and processes to support an expansion from a Kenya-specific operation to scale across East Africa.
 
In addition, you will be responsible for compliance, project financial monitoring, analysis and providing support and guidance to BOMA project managers to ensure the fiscal well-being and delivery within budget of BOMA’s projects.
 
Your responsibilities will include
 
Financial Management and Planning:
  • Ensure overall compliance with all financial management routines and systems and that BOMA’s accounting practices and standards are adhered to on a timely basis and in accordance with quality and policy requirements from BOMA leadership, donors, auditors and authorities.
  • Manage all financial systems and provide financial oversight, including the maintenance and monitoring of project budgets, and tracking of project expenditures and projections
  • Collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
  • Ensure that restricted funding projects (e.g USAID) meet all contractual requirements and ensure compliance with donor policies and regulations
  •  Ensure correct allocation of expenses across BOMA projects in accordance with funding agreements
  • Ensure that the approval process is followed for authorization of unbudgeted expenses
  • Develop and execute annual operating budgets for BOMA in East Africa
  • Provide input for quarterly revision of budgets accounting for most recent funding and expense realities
  • Prepare project budget modification and realignment requests
  • Liaise between field and headquarters offices regarding project’s financial matters and all internal or external audit requests, as needed
  • Support scenario planning for BOMA projects to determine trade-offs between different program paths
  • Conduct analyses of level of effort and identify coverage shortage
  • Identify compliance risks related to expanding into new geographies
  • Ensure appropriate contracts management, including reviewing performance reports against contract documents and review and approve payment requests to vendors and consultants
Systems Improvements and Compliance:
  • Improve and implement comprehensive internal office controls
  • Develop process for approving and monitoring spending (including LOE) to different BOMA projects
  • Provide financial management and systems training for project staff
  • Identify key risk areas and suggest mitigation strategies
  • Travel to field location(s) as necessary and provide oversight of field office financial systems and processes if needed
  • Support the finance team on key compliance issues, such as OMB A-133 audit
  • Review key processes and work closely with the CFO to suggest improvements for scale and efficiency, while managing risk
Reporting and Analysis
  • Lead monthly review of project expenses comparing actual to budget and analyzing variances
  • Participate in ongoing analysis, forecasting and review of project expenses, accruals, and projections
  • Prepare monthly field expense reports, and report monthly expenses to local and head office leadership
  • Provide Regional and Kenya Director regular guidance on current financial status
  • Where appropriate, provide cost share analysis and reporting
  • Prepare local budgets for funding proposals
  • Develop cost modeling of BOMA projects in East Africa
  • Prepare and submit ad hoc reports on portfolio financial status to senior management
  • Calculate latest pipelines and burn rates for programs
  • Prepare monthly/quarterly analysis of awards/contracts
  • Review and approve the financial close-out of program activities as required by grant rules, and verify documentation and information is complete
Accounting
  • Manage all financial data entry into the general ledger
  • Process check requests and wire transfer requests for payments to vendors in compliance with contract requirements
  • Manage, review and process payroll, invoices and in-field fee payments in accordance with BOMA’s accounting procedures and donor policies
  • Review bank statements, bank reconciliations and submitted expense reports to ensure all costs are reasonable, allocable and auditable
  • Review monthly reconciliation of Bank accounts and prepare monthly close out
  • Manage the annual fiscal close for the East Africa office
  • Prepare for and participate in all financial reviews/audits required
  • Manage and report on capital assets along with the depreciation schedule in the accounting system
  • Support in preparation of the annual financial statements
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor
Who we are looking for
  • You are passionate and committed to rural development and economic empowerment
  • You have demonstrated strong financial management skills and an in-depth knowledge of big international organizations such as USAID/DFID financial rules and regulations- financial reporting, procedures, and reporting requirements, procurement, processes and systems,
  • You demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and have the ability to thrive in a fast-changing environment.
  • You have  a track record of achieving high targets in highly demanding and sometimes ambiguous environments
  • Experience in budgeting and financial analysis for big international NGOs such as USAID funded projects preferred
  • Proficient in using diverse accounting softwares such as quickbooks
  • Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Excel
  • You have experience managing field-based projects in an international organization
  • You have a collaborative approach to your work and have been able to achieve results through influencing others
  • You are well conversant with applicable tax regulations, preferably across for across East Africa
  • You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  • You have a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related field
  • CPA certification
  • At least six (6) years’ experience in administrative and finance management of complex, development programs, developing and managing budgets
  • You can multitask in ambiguous environments can deliver results while working independently
  • You are self driven and with a record of solutions created through your high initiative personality
  • You have an open mind and are sympathetic about the economic and social situation of Northern Kenya
  • You posses community development skills including participatory community assessment and planning techniques, with skills in community level livelihoods capacity building
  • You have highly sensitive to cultural differences and have proven ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts
  • You have strong verbal and written communications skills.
  • You have strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
You have the cultural fit to work with Boma Project if:
  • You are passionate and deeply committed to change in rural Kenya
  • You embrace and are comfortable working and living in highly changing environmnets
  • Thinking outside-the-box is your natural trait
  •  You take initiative in  driving your own learning and growth
  • You are excited about working in multicultural team environments
  • Positivity and enthusiasm are your trademark
Why work with us?
  • Learn and grow with us. All members of staff are expected to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit the BOMA Project as well as themselves.
  • Join an entrepreneurial and committed team which is moving the needle on livelihoods for ultra-poor communities"
  • An opportunity to influence and contribute to BOMA project as we grow and take on new challenges and regions
  • Be part of changing lives and driving austounding impact
  • Join a cohesive and fun-loving team!
  • We love adventures and enjoy spending time with our amazing communities! Working with us will give you endless such opportunities
Other information
 
The position will be based initially Nanyuki and will require 40-60% time travel to field sites.
 
Want to apply?
 
First, read this guide on how to submit your application and tips on our selection process: http://bit.ly/CandidatesGuide
 
Fill out the application form under this link http://bit.ly/BOMAFMApply
 
Send your CV in PDF format to careers@edgeperformance.co.ke with the subject line " BOMA Financial Manager Role’’
 
Deadline for this application is 25th September.  

If the role is not filled by then, we will still accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

Not for you?
 
Please forward the role to your networks who may find it interesting!

Selection process in collaboration with edge recruitment

We are hiring a Graduation Advisor!

About Us: 
BOMA implements a high-impact data driven poverty graduation program (REAP) for women in the drought- threatened arid lands of Northern Kenya.
 
We put ultra-poor women at the centre of our work by helping them build a pathway out of extreme poverty. 

REAP addresses three elements that contribute to the cycle of aid dependency in the arid lands of Africa: low incomes, inconsistent cash flows and inadequate financial services for poor rural women.
 
We help them to start small businesses in their rural communities, so they can pay for food, school fees and medical care for their families.

Profits from each REAP business provides a diversified income, while BOMA savings associations help women to manage cash flow (for daily needs), plan for future expenses (such as school fees and medical care), and respond to shocks (such as drought or family emergencies).

Our team of 56 works with 14,482 women so far and have a goal to reach 1 million women across East Africa. 

As we plan to scale our impact to serve more regions in Northern Kenya and the rest of East Africa, we seek a self driven passionate individual to join our growing team.
 
About the role: Turkana serves as the primary source of training and technical support for BOMA Project partners who are implementing BOMA’s poverty graduation project, the Rural Entrepreneurship Access Project (REAP), primarily in Turkana County. 

This is a strategic position and is key to BOMA’s partnership strategy to achieve the goal of reaching 1 million women and children in the next five years.
 
You will be in charge of guiding BOMA partners in planning and implementing each of the REAP components and providing on-going technical assistance to ensure that the program delivers the best possible outcomes for the participants. 

You will identify potential challenges and collaborate with partners to identify  the best solutions to keep the program running effectively and efficiently.
 
Your responsibilities will include
 
1. Technical Assistance
  • Provide training, technical support and guidance to BOMA Project partners in Turkana County in planning, implementing and monitoring performance of the REAP poverty graduation project through extended assignments to the partner’s area of operations, as well as regular telephone calls and email communication to BOMA’s partner as requested and necessary.
  • Review and provide technical and training input on proposals, agreements and MOUs for partnership.
  • Review and provide technical and training input on internal and external reports and other documents as needed.
  • Support partner programs in the recruitment of local staff by providing job descriptions, creating interview question templates and vetting or providing feedback to local management on the hiring process.
2. Quality Assurance
  • Ensure the quality of REAP being implemented by the partner adheres to BOMA Project standards and guiding principles.
  • Ensure consistent timely progress towards targets and overall project objectives.
  • Ensure monitoring and quality control mechanisms are in place. 
  • Ensure sharing of evidence and best practices through written reports for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure processes are in place for the continual documentation of lessons learned and the feedback mechanisms that support continual improvements of REAP implemented through partners.
3. Program Development
  • Work with partner program managers to develop timely work plans.
  • Contribute to the professional development of partner field staff by providing training, mentoring, and other guidance.
  • Develop or revise training materials as required
  • Work closely with BOMA colleagues carrying out direct implementation projects, as well as HQ-based technical staff to access additional technical resources as needed.
  • Ensure that the objectives and activities of the partner implementation reflect the strategic objectives of BOMA’s commitment to scale and replication of the REAP program. 
  • Contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches and initiatives in REAP programming.
4. Organizational Learning
  • As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit the BOMA Project in support of its strategic goal, as well as themselves.
Key Performance Metrics include:
  • REAP guidelines and principles well understood by the partner staff
  • Successful and timely launches of REAP businesses at partner sites
  • Monthly reviews of KPIs and TA to implementers to carry out adaptations and course corrections as require
Who we are looking for
  • You are passionate and committed to rural development and economic empowerment
  • You have the ability to identify problems, design interventions and oversee their implementation
  • You have a minimum 3 years project management and/or training experience
  • You have proven practical experience of 2 + years in at least one of the following areas: economic empowerment, community development
  • You have been able to influence and drive results through others
  • You have experience managing field-based projects in an international organization
  • You can multitask in ambiguous environments can deliver results while working independently
  • You are comfortable spending 60% of your time in rural areas in Northern Kenya with simple accommodation and food options
  • You are a natural in creating and managing sustainable partnerships with diverse stakeholders
  • You adapt quickly to changing environments
  • You thrive in highly demanding environments
  • You are self driven and with a record of solutions created through your highly initiative personality
  • You have an open mind and are sympathetic about the economic and social situation of Northern Kenya
  • Understanding of the socio-cultural environment in Turkana and fluency in Turkana language will be an added advantage
  • Experience in programs focusing on adolescent girls and young women will be an added advantage
  • You have highly sensitive to cultural differences and have proven ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts
  • You have strong verbal and written communications skills.
  • You have strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
  • You easily navigate IT tools such as MS office, Google drive etc
  • Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Economic Empowerment, Social Transformation, Community Development or related field
You have the cultural fit to work with Boma Project if:
  • You are passionate and deeply committed to change in rural Kenya
  • You embrace and are comfortable working and living in highly changing environmnets
  • Thinking outside-the-box is your natural trait
  •  You take initiative in  driving your own learning and growth
  • You are excited about working in multicultural team environments
  • Positivity and enthusiasm are your trademark
Why work with us?
  • Learn and grow with us. All members of staff are expected to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit the BOMA Project as well as themselves.
  • Join an entrepreneurial and committed team which is moving the needle on livelihoods for ultra-poor communities"
  • An opportunity to influence and contribute to BOMA project as we grow and take on new challenges and regions
  • Be part of changing lives and driving austounding impact
  • Join a cohesive and fun-loving team!
  • We love adventures and enjoy spending time with our amazing communities! Working with us will give you endless such opportunities
Other information: The post will be based either in Lodwar or in Nanyuki with frequent travel (60%) to Turkana County. The position reports to the Deputy Country Director of the BOMA Project.

Want to apply?
 
First, read this guide on how to submit your application and tips on our selection process: http://bit.ly/CandidatesGuide
 
Fill out the application form under this link http://bit.ly/BOMAGAApply
 
Send your CV in PDF format to careers@edgeperformance.co.ke with the subject line " BOMA  Project Graduation Advisor Role"
 
Deadline for this application is 25th September 2017. 

If the role is not filled by then, we will still accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

Not for you?
 
Please forward the role to your networks who may find it interesting!
Selection process in collaboration with edge recruitment