Job Summary:

CREAW is seeking applications for a Finance Manager to manage, handle, record and report the organization funds and assets in a professional and efficient manner and in accordance with the international financial reporting standards. The position shall be reporting to both the Executive Director and Deputy Director’s office.

Team Leadership and Functional Management – 20%

• Lead the Finance Department in an effective and efficient financial planning and management of resources:
• Ensure proper staffing/recruitment to enable the Finance Team to manage CREAW’s resources efficiently; work with the program teams to deploy finance department staff to support each project appropriately;
• Manage the Finance Team towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, on-going feedback and appraisals. Pro-actively address performance issues through timely constructive feedback and coaching.
• Notice talent and maximize the use of available talent through on-going staff development, succession planning, career management and utilization of a leadership style that will drive employee engagement and motivation
• Develop and implement the annual work plan and budget for the Finance department; carefully managing expenditure and safeguarding CREAW’s resources by following accountability procedures before signing approvals
• Through proper management of our internal resources, ensure that CREAW’s investments achieve the desired impact and that finances are managed in accordance with CREAW and Donor requirements, rules and regulations
• Provide analysis to the leadership team and the program teams efficiency and value for money achieved with our financial resources.
• Through supervision of the Accounts Payable staff, ensure good practice in treasury and cash management, promoting the use of wire and digital transfers, timely and efficient process for making payments; and always maintaining appropriate levels of cash to keep operations going; This includes supporting project managers and heads of departments with accurate and timely cash forecasts; Always maintaining a healthy level of cash to projects to maintain operations going.
• Maintain good Board Relations through ensuring that professional relations are sustained between the Board by both the Deputy and Executive Director through facilitating them with the desired accurate financial documents in a timely fashion.
• Ensure local, country and regional key performance standards are met.

Policies, Procedures & Systems – 20%

• Develop and implement policies, procedures and operational systems that will ensure smooth running of CREAW’s finances and the delivery of a good standard of customer service by the finance team.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant CREAW, donors and Government of Kenya policies, procedures and statutory requirements, including keeping abreast of any changes (e.g. in tax laws, labour laws, etc), and ensuring they are strictly adhered to;
• Monitor the relevance of existing policies, procedures and systems in order to identify areas for improvement, striving for greater efficiency; take corrective actions as appropriate, referring to Program Managers, Project Officers, departmental Heads etc as may be deemed necessary,
• Ensure that the day-to-day financial operations of CREAW are run smoothly, and that financial operations are properly and accurately recorded, documented, controlled, monitored and reported, according to organizational, donors and CREAW’s policies and best practice as well as regulators.
• Ensure that the Navision – finance system operates correctly and is being used effectively by CREAW staff (Finance, support and programs);
• Ensure that all required internal controls are in place and followed and continuously identify ways of tightening them in the light of the high risks for fraud in Kenya
• Maintaining   and regularly updating the Authorized Signatory Forms (ASF) and up to date Bank signatories

Budgeting and Forecasting – 20%

• Oversee the development and implementation of CREAW’s country-wide budgets
• Establish the processes by which the budget will be developed, adhering to CREAW annual budgeting timeline, guidelines and policies and holding staff country-wide accountable for doing their part.
• Ensure that accountable managers are equipped and empowered to carry out budgeting activities according to best practice
• Ensure that mechanisms for monitoring, control and review of different budget/s implementation are in place, including quarterly “health check” reviews of CO cost recovery efforts, continuously analyzing the extent to which cost recovery is being executed;
• Forecast to confirm the availability of financial resources and maintain CREAW’s master Budget updated in order to anticipate shortages and propose timely corrective actions to Leadership Team (e.g. Upscaling, downsizing, restructuring, etc);
• Carry out strategic level risk assessment and analyze trends to identify and manage issues that might impact on the financial health or viability of CREAW
• Develop systems, take actions and behave in a way which will generate and maintain relationships of mutual trust with donors; liaising with donors to ensure that they are provided with all required information,
• Ensure statutory audits, internal and donor audits are conducted in a timely and professional manner, cooperating with external audits and leading the implementation of recommendations.

Grants & Sub Grants Management – 20%

• Ensure effective end-to-end grants & Sub-Grants management is carried out; ensuring full compliance with Donor requirements, CREAW policies & the laws of Kenya,
• Keep up to date with changes to upstream partner’s policies and Procedures as well as CREAW requirements and any developments in donor requirements, best practice and relevant legislation
• Ensure that all budgets and contracts are comprehensive and accurate and comply with Donor agreements and requirements, CREAW policies and the laws of the Country.   Ensure budgets are prepared in line with CREAW’s Shared Program Costs policy and cover their fair share of Shared Program Costs (SPC);
• Ensure that all grants; reports are made on time and accurately and that Shared Program costs are allocated as per CREAW Policies
• Proactively review Contract Aging reports in order to note breaches of contract, forthcoming expiries and any other problems or concerns
• Provide CREAW Accountable Managers with quality financial information and advice in order to aid their decision making concerning the grants and sub grants they manage.
• Ensure that comprehensive Due Diligence and organizational capacity assessments of partners’, including their financial capacity, have been carried out for all of CREAW’s potential partners according to policy;
• Ensure that CREAW’s policies and procedures for Sub grant management are carried out, liaising with accountable managers to trouble-shoot any problems.

1. Capacity Building – 15%

• In charge of ensuring that the Finance Officer’s and subsequent subordinate’s Capacities are built towards realizing full potential of running the department with minimum or zero support from the F.M
• Build the capacity of CREAW Staff and Implementing Partners to manage financial resources according to good accounting practice and in compliance with Donor & International best practices.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies for bridging the partner capacity gaps that are identified during partner assessments
• In liaison with the HR and Departmental Heads, understand the financial capacity building needs of CREAW staff; ensuring the development and roll-out of any required professional development initiatives;
• Ensure that CREAW Staff and Partners fully understand what is expected of them and are equipped to manage Grants and sub-grants according to best practice, policies and procedures.
• Oversee the capacity building of Grants and Sub-Grants compliance information to the project teams; ensuring that they provide all necessary support, and carry out monitoring visits according to the project plan.

Other Responsibilities as assigned – 5%

• Keep up-to-date with CREAW’s emerging strategies and approaches and contribute proactively towards implementation. Take responsibility for ensuring personal safety and security; giving due care and consideration to the impact of personal decisions on the safety and security of others.

Qualifications

Education/Training 

Mandatory

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, Finance or Business Management or related field
• Fully Certified Public Accountant (CPA and / or ACCA) and in good standing with ICPAK

Desired 

• Master’s Degree in a business-related field

Experience and Competencies Required

• At least five years as a Finance Manager or equivalent experience
• Minimum 6-years’ experience in a Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] with demonstrable work experience in financial management/administration, especially in diverse donor funded programs and projects.
• Demonstrated experience with financial troubleshooting and audit
• Thorough understanding of financial accounting, reporting, and grants and contracts management processes
• Relevant donor policies and procedures
• Facilitation skills to conduct training for small, medium and large sized groups
• Solid analytical skills and problem solving
• Ability to maintain customer focus while handling multiple priorities
• Ability to learn quickly new systems, processes and procedures and accept local practices to global standards
• Excellent leadership, coaching and negotiation skills
• Ability to both lead teams and work with teams,
• Ability to work at detailed level while understanding the larger picture
• Proficiency in Microsoft office and financial software applications
• Good communication skills both oral and written in English

Desired Qualities

• Have a personal commitment to work as a reliable, honest and trustworthy team member and be able to handle all sensitive (accounting or otherwise) information with the confidentiality required.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team approach.
• Good time management skills and be able to deliver with minimal supervision.

Job Summary:

CREAW is seeking applications for a reliever to the position of an Accountant. The Accountant will be expected to assist the Finance Officer in managing, handling, recording and reporting on the organization’s funds and assets in a professional and efficient manner and in accordance with international financial reporting standards

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive and review field activity accountability documents for consistency, completeness and accuracy of documentation for purposes of ensuring proper posting to the correct project budget item.
• Ensure that expenditures meet donor compliance and regulations; as well as CREAW’s financial policies and guidelines.
• Where applicable, provide advice on ways to improve the field accounting function.
• Ensuring that during the requisition process of the assigned donor partner accounts assigned to you are within and conform to budget lines & that accuracy is maintained in the documentation process.
• Update the project expenses on the financial system to ensure it captures the appropriate budget codes.
• Posting all disbursements on the Financial system and writing cheques to suppliers.
• Assist in Preparing financial donor reports and Budgeting.
• On a need basis conduct Capacity assessment & Due Diligence under the supervision of the Finance officer.
• Assist in training of staff & downstream partners on grant requirements
• Assist in preparing project audit schedule/s
• Payroll management through preparation and payment of organizational Statutory returns.
• Submit the relevant monthly financial summaries to the Finance Officer and in her absence the Finance Manager respectively by the 5th of every month.
• Ensure proper filing, documentation and record keeping of all project expenditures.
• Accompany field staff for field events, outreaches and other activities from time to time.
• Monitor and liaise with project staff to ensure financial receipts and payments are accurately, timely and appropriately handled
• Participate in the planning and review meetings, ensuring project staff members are kept informed in all relevant financial issues, and the preparation of timely activity reports
• Promote transparency and accountability in the use of project resources in the field.

Required qualifications and competencies:

• University Graduate in business or commerce, certified as CPA (K).
• Minimum two-year experience in NGO financial management/administration, especially in diverse donor funded programs and projects
• Certified Public Accountant
• Understanding of Na Vision Financial Management system will be an added advantage
• Two years’ minimum experience in donor/NGO project accounting; experience in accounting for external donor-funded projects an advantage.
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient computer and internet skills (MS Word, Excel, Explorer, and accounting software)
• Willingness to travel to the field on occasional basis.

Desired Qualities

• Have a personal commitment to work as a reliable, honest and trustworthy team member and be able to handle all sensitive (accounting or otherwise) information with the confidentiality required.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team approach.
• Good time management skills and be able to deliver with minimal supervision.

JOB PURPOSE

The Project Officer shall be reporting to the Coastal region – Projects Coordinator – Mombasa, to provide, programmatic and technical support in the Implementation of the MCF- Covid Response and Resilience Program [CRRP] and Women Economic Empowerment [WEE] under the Access to Justice and Economic Empowerment Program in Kilifi in a professional, efficient and effective manner.

She will be responsible for the day to day project implementation ensuring the project is implemented according to specifications of the MCF- CRRP & WEE activities in Kilifi. Provides oversight for the project implementation and achievements of objectives, designs, develops and implements work plans, mobilizes and trains community groups and networks, strengthens advocacy interventions in Kilifi, strengthens linkages and engagement between diverse marginalized groups, report writing, monitoring of project progress

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for implementing the MCF- CRRP & WEE work plans and activities in the project.
• To Support the community outreach of the field team arms through different capacity building activities.
• Responsible for mapping and strengthening women led community networks with community leaders.
• In charge of collection and collation of project data and groups towards ensuring that the project is implemented according to specifications and terms of the project contract.
• Organizing and coordinating community Activities (forums, dialogue meeting) at the community level in consultations with the community leaders.
• Conduct research under the ‘Access to Justice’ project.
• Ensuring timely and regular reporting on the project implementation to the immediate supervisor and the development partners
• Preparing and compiling activity and monthly progress report on the projects being implemented and eventually preparing the final project reports.
• Contribute to development of toolkits, annuals and provide inputs to needs assessment for target groups
• Monitoring the implementation of projects, to ensure effective execution
• Document “success stories” and any other information to enhance the overall quality of performance of both internal and external reports
• Manage the resources of the project/s effectively and ensure there is optimum value for money
• Support in resource mobilization for other related projects
• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the project Coordinator.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND PERSONALITY DESIRED: –

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university within the Humanities, Social and/or Political Sciences disciplines. (Essential)
• At least 3 years of professional experience in gender related development work. (Essential)
• Previous experience in the NGO sector in the above capacity; Confirmed previous engagement in similar assignment;
• Strong analytical and report writing skills as well as excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country, work extended periods in the field and interact effectively with community members and willingness to learn new approaches
• Ability to work in a complex environment including multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment and with partners at all levels
• Highly proficient in Ms Word, Excel, Access, Power-point and the use of Internet for research.
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in both English and Kiswahili.