Kenya: PROJECT FINANCE SPECIALIST

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks a highly talented Project Finance Specialist for its European Funded Projects to oversee the project accounting in SSA and other implementation sites.

The Center: CIP (www.cipotato.org) is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor.

The position: The Project Finance Specialist will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will report to the Project Finance Manager-HQ, with co-reporting to the Regional Finance Manager or the Chief of Party.
The principal tasks and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Receive and review monthly field financial reports for consistency, completeness and accuracy of documentation and proper posting to the correct project budget item; this requires briefing assigned home office project staff to go over results of the review, especially in the context of programmatic activities.
• Assist with preparation for annual budgets and projections.
• Create Journal Entry to post field financial information directly into CIP’s accounting system.
• Be familiar with the CIP accounting system and account coding structure.
• Staying current with donor regulations and the award requirements identified in the CIP compliance matrix.
• Ensure Time and Efforts Reports are completed on time and in an accurate fashion.
• Ensure that expenditures meet donor compliance plans and regulations
• Ensure Partner or sub-grantee compliance with donor requirements
• Carry on capacity building activities for project partners
• Set up accounts for new projects and amendments to existing projects
• Set up reporting and/or invoices templates for new projects
• Provide advice on ways to improve the field accounting function for multiple projects and multiple donors
• When applicable, review cost share documentation received from the field for compliance, completeness and accuracy; enter information into reporting documents
• When requested, and in conjunction with Program Managers or other staff, provide forms and worksheets to field finance staff as needed to track or document in-kind cost share, travel advances, allocation of costs among programs, payroll reports, etc. Assist staff in developing custom forms or worksheets as needed.
• Assist Program Managers and other project staff in monitoring project spending levels against budget
• Provide feedback to projects on improvements needed in the preparation of field financial reports.
• Respond to routine accounting/financial report inquiries from field or home office; resolve issues that arise.
• When needed, travel to field sites to conduct mentoring and training of project accounting staff or participate in training new project staff especially during new project start up.
• Based on knowledge of expenditure patterns in field offices, review monthly wire transfer requests in coordination with Program Managers.
• Prepare financial reports and any additional documentation require by the donor.
• Assist with preparation for annual audits.
• Set up a close out plan for the project.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Selection Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration and CPA (K).
• A minimum of three years of demonstrated experience in the accounting/finance/administrative area.
• Knowledge of the international development funding arena desirable.
• Aptitude for understanding complex regulations and monitoring financial transactions and documentation for compliance.
• Familiarity with Europe AID projects, excellent oral, written communications, and problem solving ability.
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced Excel skills and experience with automated accounting systems.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Cross cultural sensitivity.
• Strong e-mail communication skills, ability to write in a manner sensitive to cultural differences, and provide clarity to staff where English is not the primary working language of the project.
• Ability to train/mentor staff in accounting requirements.
• Ability to be a team player in a busy environment, often with tight deadlines
• A Kenyan citizen.

Conditions: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff position (NRS). The employment contract will be for a two year term (with a three month probation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to performance and availability of funding.

Applicants should apply online through CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a cover letter, a full C.V with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on 23 March, 2016 and will continue until the post is filled. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals are particularly encouraged to apply