Job Purpose
- The
Project Accountant will provide financial management to the Cassava Value
Chain Programme funded by the European Union.
- The
overall objective of the Programme is to increase food and nutrition
security, employment and income among 28,000 smallholder-farming
households (at least 60% women) in seven Counties (Kisumu, Homabay,
Migori, Siaya, Busia, Kitui and Kilifi)
- Under
the overall financial and administrative leadership of Self Help Africa
(SHA) Head of Finance and Administration (HoFA), the Project Accountant
will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of accounting and
financial control, and providing guidance and technical financial support
to all the implementing partners funded under the EU Programme.
- This
will include but not be limited to the identification of training
requirements, provision of training, undertaking of risk assessments and
the provision of assistance and advice on financial systems and procedures
for best practice.
- He/She
will also ensure accurate and timely recording of financial data,
processing of transactions and compliance to reporting as per the EU
regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management
- Responsible
for routine financial accounting functions including processing and
recording all transactions in line with organisational policy, EU
accounting standards, and compliance to policies and Kenyan legislation,
ensuring timeliness, efficiency and completeness;
- Responsible
for checking the accuracy and validity of documents submitted by partners
and prepare a schedule to be used for posting entries on PS Financials
(PSF);
- Review
partner’s monthly bank and ledger reconciliations, financial templates,
reports and other statements;
- Review
the monthly payments requests against the budget and cash flow projections
and follow up on the disbursement of funds to partners;
- Prepare
monthly wage analysis of all partners balances and follow up on overdue
liquidations;
- Prepare
a monthly work plan and share with the Programme Manager and Head of
Finance and Administration.
Partner Management
- Assist
partners in developing financial management and procurement policy
guidelines where necessary and implementation of same;
- Develop
a training schedule and undertake the training & ongoing mentoring of
partners to ensure a stronger financial system and structure is in place;
- Coordinate
regular internal audit scrutiny of partner organisations, ensuring
financial systems and controls are of an appropriate standard for security
and the effective management of funds advanced by SHA;
- With
support from the Head of Finance and Administration, lead the coordination
of an annual audit of the implementing partners.
Financial Planning and Budgeting
- Liaise
with the Programme Manager, finance staff and other programme
administrators on programme and activity budget preparation, spending and
realignments, and ensuring they are aligned with grants agreements;
- Preparation
of monthly, quarterly and annual budget vs. expenditure;
- Prepare
and process financial data necessary for budget adjustments as required
while ensuring compliance to the grant agreements;
- Participate
in the preparation and revision of the annual budgets;
Donor reporting and compliance
- Prepare
partner consolidated reports and donor financial reports that comply with
donor requirements;
- Coordinate
the expenditure verification exercise, special audits and respond to
internal audit reports.
Other Duties
- Any
other duty that may be assigned from time to time.
Key Relationships
Internal
- Finance
and Administration Team
- Country
Management Team
- Programme
Manager and other country programme staff
- Programme
and Finance staff in Dublin HQ
External
- Officials
from partner organisations both finance and programme staff
- Service
providers
Qualifications, Knowledge and
Experience
Essential
- Internationally
recognised accounting qualification (CA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA)
- Five
years practical experience in a finance department, three of which should
be in grants management
- Strong
technical abilities and up to date knowledge of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles
- Fluency
in spoken and written English
- Experience
of managing donor funds and contracts
- Experience
of managing, training and supporting staff
Desirable
- Willingness
to travel nationally and internationally;
- Previous
experience of managing USAID, EU or other donor funding;
- Experience
working with partner organisations;
- Experience
of undertaking risk assessments, internal audits and/or assessing internal
controls.
Role Competencies
- Excellent
verbal, analytical, organisational and written skills;
- People
management skills;
- Proactive
and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision,
mission and values;
- Excellent
ICT skills including a good knowledge of MS Office and accounting
software;
- Attention
to detail and ability to produce timely, accurate, financial reports.
How to Apply
Please submit;
- A
completed application form before 27 March
2020, explaining why you want the position and why
you think you are particularly suited to the role.
- Make
it clear which position you are applying for by writing the Position in
the subject line of your e-mail as follows KF1 Project Accountant
+ Your name.
The application should be submitted by email to the
following email address:
infokenya@selfhelpafrica.net
infokenya@selfhelpafrica.net