HelpAge International Grant and Contracts Accountant Job in Kenya

 HelpAge International (HelpAge) is a global network of not-for-profit organisations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives.

With more than 70 affiliates and 300 partners across more than 50 countries the HelpAge International network brings together hundreds of organisations worldwide.

The East West Central Africa Regional Development Centre (EWCARDC) is one of six regional centres working to build and strengthen older people’s organisations around the world which provide a wide range of services related to social protection, sustaining a livelihood in old age, HIV and AIDS, discrimination & abuse, health and emergencies.

We seek to fill below positions and invite qualified candidates to apply.

Grant and Contracts Accountant

National Position

Based in Nairobi with frequent travel to Northern Kenya

One Year Contract

The incumbent will be responsible for budgeting, financial accounting and reporting of assigned grants and donor projects in the EWCARDC as well as providing financial support and training to affiliates and implementing partners

The candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and CPA III, three years working experience in an international NGO within a regional setting and ability to work independently and make routine decisions.

Working knowledge of SUN system and computer applications, ability to travel on short notice, communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills are essential to this role.

Job Title: Accountant – Grants and Contracts

Department: Finance & Administration

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Responsible To: Regional Finance Director

Relations with Others: Close working relationship with Project Managers, and finance staff of affiliates and partners

Purpose: Responsible for budgeting, financial accounting and reporting of assigned grants and donor projects in the EWCARDC and providing financial support and training to affiliates and implementing partners

Responsibilities:

1.1 Grant and Contract Management

•     Prepare and submit to Regional Finance Director interim and final donor financial reports for review at least one week before the due date
•     Prepare and circulate monthly donor and HtA monitoring (expense vs budget) report to programme managers by 22nd day of the month for assigned project codes
•     Promptly follow-up and make adjustments to monthly and interim donor reports based on feedback from the program managers.
•     Review monthly donor reports with the relevant managers and point out areas with financial risks in line with donor conditions for the managers to take proactive corrective action.
•     Assist project managers with budget re-alignment and other budgetary issues
•     Ensure expenses are charged to correct project and budget lines
•     Receive, review and correct monthly returns from implementing partners for assigned projects and prepare for submission to UK office by 7th day of each month
•     To assist in getting monthly cash flow requirements from implementing partners and project managers and forwarding this to the Accountant - Secretariat for consolidation and forwarding to UK Secretariat.
•     Keeping a file for each project and filing all returns and other correspondence on file and ensuring security and confidentiality of the documents in line with HelpAge policy on document retention, retrieval and archiving.
•     Periodically visit partners, Lodwar office and review their financial and administrative policies and procedures, identify shortcomings and train partners in such areas.
•     Implement financial and administrative policies as laid down in the Finance and Administration Manuals in use.

1.2 Budgeting

•     Train and assist project managers in proposal budget preparation for various donors
•     Train and assist project managers in budget re-aligmnet and review
•     Train and assist project managers in budget phasing and preparation of Detailed Budget Sheet for SUN system.
•     Assist in the preparation of the EWCARDC annual and mid-year financial review (MYFR) budgets

1.3 Others

    Assist Accountant – Secretariat on demand or in his/her absence

Other Features of the Job (Working conditions etc)

The position is based in Nairobi but with constant travels to the field (Northern Kenya) to assist partners with training and other donor compliance issues.

Respond to any emergency issue affecting partners and Country Offices at short notice

Person Specification:

Essential:

•     Good working knowledge of computer packages preferably SUN systems, word processing, spreadsheets, power point and database packages.
•     Ability to work independently and make good routine decisions.
•     Excellent command of English and Kiswahili both written and oral
•     Able to travel at short notice
•     Exposure to and familiarity with the region’s work environment

Experience:

    Minimum of 3 years experience in an NGO multi-cultural setting

Knowledge/Skills:

•     Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
•     Training skills
•     Performance management skills.

Education Criteria:

    A Bachelor’s degree in accounting and CPA III or equivalent professional level

Desirable:

•     Firm
•     Stress tolerance
•     Building partnership
•     Attention to detail
•     Able to work with limited supervision
•     Proactive and reliable

To apply for this position, please send a CV of not more than three pages, and a covering letter, explaining how you meet the criteria for this role to the Regional Human Resource Coordinator on helpage@helpage.co.ke by 19th October, 2012.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.