Adeso Finance Controller Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Organization: Adeso – African Development Solutions
 

Vacancy Announcement: Finance Controller
 

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
 

Working with: Closely work with Country Program management for Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan.
 

Program / Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Duration: One year renewable
 

Starting date: 1st March 2015
 

Salary Grade: International Grade D
 

Organizational Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. 

At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. 

Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. 

We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
 

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. 

Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
 

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
 

Position Summary: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Finance Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting and reporting activities.

The Finance Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration. 

The Finance Controller will ensure that Adeso has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits. 

The Finance Controller will work closely with program leaders and their staffs, not only to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures but also to explore how the finance function can support program operations.
 

In addition, s/he will partner with the CFO, senior leadership, and the human resources (HR) and information technology (IT) staff to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and IT functions.
 

Position Purpose: To maximize return on financial assets by establishing financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities
 

A. Ensuring finance policy compliance

• Ensure that the country offices finance functions are in line with the Adeso global finance policy and established organizational practices.


• Ensure that donor rules and regulations are adhered to in finance management of specific projects.


• Establish and implement Country specific finance systems, and guidelines.


• Work closely with the Countries Management of Adeso to discuss on finance management policies and provide timely advice on any issues related to compliance, fraud, under or over spending of project grants and finance staffing issues.


• Closely look at the issue of cost effectiveness and provide recommendations and guidance to the management team.


• Understand and share information related to local government statutory requirements related to financial issues and ensures compliance with tax regulations and any other legal requirements.

B. Establishing effective internal finance controls

• Ensure that established internal control systems for Adeso are in place. Review on effective implementation of these systems regularly and reporting any discrepancies to Adeso CFO and Country management.


• Oversees the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, NEP) through the enforcement of internal control policies and procedures.


• Ensure that the authorization matrix for the Adeso countries program is updated and approvals are in line with the matrix.


• Review should include the allocation of salaries based on timesheets, and an overall assessment of the general controls that are in place, provide recommendations if necessary.


• Document in-country policies regarding advances and maximum cash balances and general cash and banking situation in the Country Offices.


• Review for adequacy and reasonableness, the documentation for delineating authority for approving transactions, procurements, disbursements.


• Ensure that authorized signatory list and bank information forms are regularly updated and hardcopies are on file.


• Identify requirements for and develop reporting formats to aid in the management of Adeso Countries program operations and grant expenditures.


• Undertake internal control audits, report the same and in discussion with the CFO, initiate actions necessary to correct any internal control weaknesses.


• Facilitate and co-ordinates external, internal, donor or government audits.


• Use the Field Office Monitoring Checklist (FOMC) as a tool to ensure effective finance function at field offices.


• Documentation- ensure that all relevant finance documents are appropriately filed (soft and print copy), ensuring quality referencing for the filed documents, and safety of the documents.

C. Perform accounting and finance management functions

• In compliance with Adeso policy, establish country policies regarding cash holding limits, cash movements and foreign currency holdings.


• Ensure the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses.


• Liabilities – Severance/Accounts Payable/Taxes Payable- ensure that the Adeso severance policy is not in conflict with local labor laws; ensure that items in accounts payable relate to open grants; discuss the office methodology for accrual and payment of taxes to ensure it is in compliance with local law.


• Supervises all bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates.


• Design, implement, and monitor systems, procedures and reporting necessary to maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments entered into and which obligate Adeso to future spending.


• Review and approve field offices Cash Transfer Requests and ensures that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation.


• Implement the Use of Adeso ERP system in all Country offices.

D. Preparation of project budgets for donor grants

• Preparation and revision of program and grant proposals and budgets in line with donor guidelines, and Adeso and donor formats.


• Keep the country operating budget as a reference in development of grants budgets.


• Guide finance and non-finance staff in preparation of grant budgets and review the same.


• Review and finalise partner grant budgets ensuring cost effectiveness, clarity of budgets.

E. Quality finance staff Management

• Supervise and oversee all finance staff in Nairobi office and provide technical support to Somalia and other program finance staff.


• Ensure regular training of the staff on compliance issues and monitor performance


• Organize a finance workshop regularly for all finance team.


• Advice the Country management on finance staffing issues for the country program, including issues of non-performance, staffing gaps, training needs etc


• Identify capacity building needs for the finance staff and ensure their participation in relevant training.


• Undertake regular training and orientation of the non-finance staff on issues such as preparation of budgets, BVA report analysis and monitoring of spending.

F. Team Leadership

• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals;


• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of a BA; BCOM and/or MBA preferred.


• Professional accounting qualification (CPA/ACCA/CIMA/CFA).


• Eight (8) years of accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting and audit, followed by experience gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders.


• Experience working in a complex NGO(s) with multiple programs.


• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.


• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to Adeso’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker.


• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments.


• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential.


• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software.


• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly.


• Keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners.


• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.

Application Process
 

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional.

If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 1st March, 2015. 

Kindly note that applications screening and interviews will be on a rolling basis.

Each application should be addressed to the HR Director and include the following:

• An updated CV; and


• An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.