Senior Finance & Grants Officer at Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA)

Main Responsibilities

Financial Management - 55%

• Manage the financial accounting, monitoring and reporting systems of MMWCA.
• Ensure compliance with MMWCA policies and procedures as well as local laws (i.e. taxes, customs, registration, insurance);
• Prepare and control the organisational and project budgets.
• Monitor cash flows and advise accordingly.
• Assist in developing and implementing financial management mechanisms that minimise financial risk.
• Identify Organisational and project financial risks and consult with the CFO on mitigation measures.
• Liaise with auditors for annual and project accounts. Follow up on implementing audit and compliance review recommendations.
• Develop relationships with appropriate contacts, e.g. auditors, lawyers, vendors, bankers and statutory organisations.
• Produce Analytical financial reports to specific deadlines (Organisational & Projects).
• Assist Programme, Administrative and communication teams in managing budgets.
• Ensure compliance with Donor requirements and legal obligations.
• Keep abreast of changes in financial regulations regarding Donors, Kenyan law and legislation.
• Develop, Utilize/review monthly financial and operational monitoring tools (forecast, procurement tracker, activity tracker, etc.);
• Support the CFO, CEO and SMT in preparing financial information and reports for the Finance Committee and Board as required.

Grant Management - 35%

• Develop and Review budgets for grant proposals.
• Supervise expenditures to budgets.
• Ensure accurate, timely, efficient and transparent processes for all grants.
• Manage institutional reporting, including meeting internal and external reporting deadlines, identifying reporting components, compiling required documents, ensuring report completeness, and facilitating final submission to funders.
• Work closely with Programme teams to build and execute work plans and processes, strengthen capacity for the grants management team, and ensure transparency and accountability.
• Keep up-to-date with funder requirements and developments in the use of indicators, tools, etc.
• Participate in relevant meetings relating to the grants and their respective management.
• Follow-up to ensure grant files are updated with budgets, grant contracts, agreements and reports (Progressive & Final).
• Work with the Grants Management Team to ensure sub-grantee complete the pre-award requirements (Anti-terrorism and Site visit assessment tool) and a sign grant agreement and grant modifications.
• Working with the Grants Management Team, provide technical assistance as required to build the capacity of local partners & sub-grantees.

Team Lead - 10%

• Ensure all staff adhere to MMWCA standard operational procedures as necessary.
• Update the terms of reference of directly supervised colleagues in collaboration with the CFO and Chief Administrative Officer as needed.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Finance & Grants Department and undertake appraisals of directly supervised colleagues.
• Ensure capacity building for Finance & Grants team members to increase the level of technical ability and skills within the department to deliver financial and Grant and or Programme outputs;
• Improve information flows within the Department;
• Engage with Other Senior Finance & Grants Officers from other organisations to share best practices and lessons learnt and collaborate on process improvements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Commerce or Finance.
• Recognised Certificate of Professional qualification in Accounting (ACCA, CPA)
• At least four years of CPA post qualification experience, preferable with a development organisation.
• Proven experience in grant management, preferably with major international donors.