Practical Action is an international development agency working
with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve
their lives today and in generations to come.
We build on the communities’ knowledge and skills to come up with innovative, sustainable and practical solutions.
We are seeking to recruit results-oriented and proactive team players to fill the following two positions:
1. Management Accountant
Based in Nairobi
Reporting to the Finance and Administration Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing and analyzing financial information to provide the Management of the Regional Office with information that will support strategic business planning, decision making and ensure strong financial control of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, interpret and ensure timely submission of monthly management accounts, reports and financial information that provide insights into the performance of the organization.
- Hold regular review meetings with programme staff, budget holders and members of management to review accounting reports and act on issues raised
- Monitor and evaluate financial information systems and support the implementation of corporate governance, procedures, risk management and internal controls
- Proactively contribute to the development of programme and proposal budgets, provide relevant commentaries and negotiate for major projects, loans and grants
- Oversee the production of timely periodic financial donor reports and accounts as per accounting rules and donor requirements
- Responsible for overall financial management of Practical Action Consulting’s (PAC) accounts
- Design and deliver periodic capacity building training for programme staff on finance matters in relation to specific donor contracts
- Manage annual and project specific audits and ensure all statutory deductions are remitted to respective authorities as required by law.
Qualifications and skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting option) or related field
- CPA (K) or equivalent
- At least five (5) years relevant experience in management of donor funds and reporting, three (3) years of which should have been at managerial level
- Knowledge of computer accounting packages with particular emphasis on SUN System and Excel
- Good knowledge of management accounts preparation, budgeting and forecasting techniques
- Strong analytical skills and high integrity
- Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
2. Grants Officer
Based in Nairobi with occasional travel to the field
Reporting to the Management Accountant, the successful candidate will be responsible for executing processes related to efficient and transparent grants/contracts management.
In addition, the post holder will carry out various accounting
responsibilities including budgeting, preparation of grant financial
reports and monitoring grant expenditures/budgets.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively participate in the development of policies, procedures and user guidelines on grants/contracts activities including reporting deadlines and budgeting processes
- Apply and monitor compliance of policies and procedures to ensure internal controls with regard to grants management function are maintained
- Working closely with inter-departmental programme team leaders, design grants/contracts database to manage all budgeting, reporting, and compliance functions
- In collaboration with programme teams, implement cash forecasting system. Generate historical grants/contracts payment analyses, develop and manage budget vs expenditure analysis
- Review all expenses coded to restricted and unrestricted projects to ensure conformity to donor budgets
- Ensure timely and accurate month-end close activities in relation to bank reconciliation, budget holder’s reports and grants budgets
- Maintain a constant state of audit readiness with regard to grants.
Qualifications and skills
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option) or a related field
- CPA (K) or equivalent
- At least three (3) years working experience in management of donor funds and reporting
- Knowledge of Computer accounting packages. Experience in SUN System would be a distinct advantage
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong communication skills with ability to train others.
Application letter together with a CV indicating current and expected
salary, and names of three professional referees (one of whom must be
the current supervisor) plus their day-time contacts should be submitted
to Practical Action by email on: recruitment@practicalaction.or.ke to be received no later than 20th July 2012.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Practical Action is an “equal opportunity” employer and highly encourages women to apply.
