Financial Officer at Hivos East Africa

Job context

Hivos East Africa seeks to recruit a Financial Officer who will support the Africa Biogas Partnership Programme (ABPP)  and 4S[at]Scale programme. The selected candidate will be accountable to the Programme Managers for 4S[at]Scale and ABPP.  The Financial Officer will have 50% of her/his time being responsible for the implementation of the financial policy and procedures of the 4S[at]Scale programme and 50% of the time dedicated to the financial and accounting duties for the ABPP; working together with the Finance Manager - ABPP and 4S[at]Scale.

  Your responsibilities

Administrative duties:

• Be pro-active in developing and implementing administrative systems for the 4S[at]Scale and ABPP programmes and ensure that the Programme Managers receive financial advice to be able to make sound and balanced choices.

Processes financial and other data and performs administrative duties ensuring:

• Data are stored and updated in the appropriate systems in a correct and timely manner and the necessary actions are undertaken once they have been processed;
• Reports received are correctly filed with the programme records and the persons concerned receive confirmation of receipt.

Budget and Financial Management

Translates financial policy into budgets such that 4S[at]Scale and its stakeholders have insight into costs and budget structure (benchmarking) for management and monitoring purposes which will include:

• The annual budget for 4S[at]Scale is prepared and financial plans are drawn.
• Assist in the ABPP budget preparation and analysis.
• Income and expenditure patterns are analysed and input for financial policy is provided (budget tracking).
• Monitoring and follow up of the recording of financial transactions are checked.

Financial and accounting duties

Record the programmes financial commitments in the programme records such that:

• Purchase orders and payments to third parties are made and recorded correctly and in good time;
• Budget control (monthly financial reports and other reports) can be performed on the basis of periodic information;
• Petty cash, bank reconciliation and travel expenses can be managed;
• Processing payments and correctly recording entries in compliance with Hivos policies and procedures. Prepare monthly bank reconciliations;
• Prepare analysis to support the 4S[at]Scale Programme Manager in preparing budget forecasts and expenses and assisting him to generate monthly management reports;
• Review travel expense statements for compliance with Hivos policy;
• Produce regular financial information, overviews and reports such that:
  • The trial balances for 4S[at]Scale are drawn up correctly, completely and on time.
  • Financial reports/overviews serve as input for management information.
  • Financial results are analysed  and reported to all stakeholders.
  • Assist in analysing country programme financial reports and actions needed to improve financial results.
  • Assist in the follow up on ABPP national programmes reporting requirements and obligations.

  Your profile

• Level of professional and analytical ability: A holder of CPA (K) or ACCA and a Bachelor of Commerce (accounting/Finance option) or other relevant degree;
• Affinity with finances and administration;

• Practical knowledge spreadsheet and working Knowledge of an ERP environment;
• General Knowledge of ICT, MS Office;
• Minimum of 5 years relevant accounting experience, preferable in an international or donor organization;
• Ability to work in a financially complex international organization;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively; good command of oral and written English. Knowledge of French is desirable;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Professional discretion.

What we offer

We offer a competitive package based on the candidate’s qualifications.

Women and  individuals from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.