Finance Officer at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Ref No: EA/1/14/001
Application deadline: 15th January 2014
Start Date: 10th February 2014
Location: Nairobi
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is a rapidly growing global organization.
We operate in almost 40 countries across the globe.
We design innovative, cutting-edge approaches to solving development problems, rigorously evaluate these programs and promote the adoption of those with proven impact.
IPA-Kenya (IPAK) is IPA’s oldest country office, and the site of many of its most influential research projects.
IPAK employs more than 300 contracted staff working on 20 different projects across offices in various locations around Kenya, including five administrative offices in Kisumu, Nairobi, Busia, Kakamega and Bungoma.
Evidence Action, a sister organization to IPA, is assuming management and growth responsibility for two programs tested and incubated at IPA that are currently making a difference in the lives of millions of people in Africa and Asia: the Deworm the World Initiative (DTWI) and Dispensers for Safe Water Initiative (DSW).
Evidence Action scales proven development interventions and crafts resilient business models for long run success.
The Finance Officer’s role is to perform general accounting duties for Evidence Action and he/she reports to the Director of Finance and Administration Restructuring.
This position will be based in Nairobi; however it will include field travel to regions/counties where program activities are carried out to provide Subgrantees financial support whenever necessary.
Therefore, willingness to travel periodically as needed is required.
A two-year commitment is necessary.
The Finance Officer will be responsible for:
Key Roles:
- Verifying all payment vouchers for accuracy and completeness before processing and posting into the accounting system-Sage.
- Ensure accurate petty cash disbursement, monitoring and allocations.
- Ensure proper documentation of all payments to staff, Subgrantees and vendors
- Manage accounts payable.
- Manage accounts receivable.
- Review for compliance with donor and organizational policies/guidelines on all payments.
- Provide financial and compliance guideline/training to sub grantee staff.
- Prepare timely Subgrantees returns for management review.
- Visit the Subgrantees to monitor their financial performance as need arises.
- Prepare financial reports for all programs for submission to management by the 15th of every following month.
- Follow-up with the Subgrantees on periodic financial liquidation status.
- Other duties as assigned
Critical Abilities and Skills:
- Analytical/problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail, and be able to perform multiple tasks, often under stressful work-situations/deadlines.
- Seasoned team player.
- Ability to undertake domestic travel on short notice
- Commitment to IPAK values, vision, mission and strategic plan.
- Computer literacy (including Word, Excel, Email and use of the internet) a must
- Good analytical and interpersonal skills.
- Be a person of known integrity.
Personal Attributes
- Integrity
- Visionary
- Self-driven
- Charismatic
- Persuasive
- Innovative
- Intelligent
- Confidential
- Detail oriented
- Adaptable
- Empathetic
- Influential
- Resilient
- Cooperative
- Flexible
- Result oriented
- Team player/leader
Qualifications
- Professional Accounting qualification; CPA II/ ACCA II
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting, Administration or relevant field.
- At least 3 years of experience performing responsibilities required for the position and demonstrating progress in the role.
- Audit experience and managing of USAID/CDC grants is desirable
Required
- Excellent command of accounting principles
- Process thinker with excellent analytical skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (English and Kiswahili)
- Well-developed skills in MS-Excel, MS-Word, MS-Outlook
- Ability to work under pressure and under minimum supervision
- Should be able to travel to the field
- Ability to meet strict deadlines
- Integrity, flexibility and self-discipline
If you are interested, please follow the instructions below:
Please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address.
Applications can be submitted to any of our branch offices,
or by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org
by post office using P.O Box 373, Busia, Area Code 50400, Kenya.
If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “Finance Officer”- NAIROBI, REF NO: EA/1/14/001
All applicants will be considered for this position.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Finance Officer. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant.Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.
