Assistant Director, Finance & Accounts at Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

REF: KNCHR/ADFA/03/05/2026

Reports to: Deputy Director – Finance & Accounts

Direct Reports: Senior Finance & Accounts Officer, Accountant & Finance Officer, Accounts Assistants Indirect Reports: Attachee’s

Duration: Permanent and Pensionable

Duty Station: Nairobi with occasional Travel Gross Salary: Kshs.205,850

Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group life Insurance and WIBA

Job Purpose

The Assistant Director- Finance & Accounts will be responsible to the Deputy Director Finance & Accounts for coordination of Finance & Accounting activities of the Commission. This position is responsible for giving leadership and strategic direction in the achievement of the objectives of Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2012 and Public Finance Management Regulations at the Commission.

Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and oversee the planning of the unit’s work in accordance with the strategic goals of the commission.
• Develop the unit’s strategies and policies in support of the implementation of the Commission’s strategic plan.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Commission to ensure compliance with Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Regulations, The National Treasury Circulars and other Government financial regulations, guidelines and policies.
• Assisting in formulating the Commission’s financial and accounting policies, implementing and reviewing the Commission’s financial and accounting policies, standards guidelines and procedures.
• Advising the Commission on financial matters and accounting matters.
• Ensuring prudent management and utilization of the Commission’s financial, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
• Ensuring adherence to the commission’s budgetary allocation.
• Ensuring adherence to financial management guidelines, systems, standards and procedures
• Analysing and advising on revenue and expenditure trends, financial commitments and futures revenues. 
• Planning and budgeting for the division. 
• Managing staff performance, building capacity, mentoring, coaching and development of staff.

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Develop and update the finance and accounts manual and standard procedures.
• Review budget performance and explain variances sighted for the commission’s accountability measures.
• Providing technical support in negotiations on resource mobilization /Fundraising
• Preparation of the commission’s statutory monthly, quarterly, annual and special financial reports and plans for donors, statutory bodies and Commissioners.
• Advise management and commissioners on financial matters to gain approval on planned budgetary requests from The National Treasury and Donors.
• Authorize all payments, purchase requisitions and imprest warrants for all divisions in line with institutional budget allocations.
• Assist in Preparation the commission’s annual and supplementary budget estimates and donor budgets to be presented to the commissioners for approval.
• Provide finance forecast and budget support to the management of the commission to manage finances and anticipate revenue projections in all areas.
• Develop Institutional Cash plan and trend analysis for cash flow management and decision making.
• Reviewing and analysing periodic financial reports obtained from regional offices
• Develop Divisional budget and work plan to aid operation.
• Monitor the Commissions’ adherence to the Public Finance Management Acts (PFMA), 2012 and Regulations, 2015.
• Provide technical support to Budget Implementation Committee, Finance and Administration Committee and the Procurement Committees.
• Coordinate external audits and respond to audit queries and the other financial reviews by external and internal parties as a control measure for the preservation of institutional integrity and implementation of audit recommendations on financial management.
• Coordinate the accounts practices of the commission for reconciliation of IFMIS ledgers, Accounting Software such as SagePastel, manual cashbooks and bank records.

Job Dimensions:

Financial Responsibility

• Responsible for approval of payments in line with the Public Finance Management Act and Regulations.
• Aids on the Finance and Accounts Division Budget Implementation.
• Aids in managing the Finance and Accounts Division Budget.
• Ensure that all payments are processed and paid on time.
• Assists in cash flow management.
• Financial Risk Management

Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Computer
• Laptop
• Desk
• Telephone

Decision Making / Job Influence Strategic

• Developing, implementing and reviewing the Commission’s accounting and financial strategies.

Managerial

• Developing, implementing and reviewing the Commission’s standards, guidelines and procedures.

Financial

• Advising the Commission on Financial and Accounting matters.
• Ensure that the Commission has sound cash flow position.

Analytical

• Performing periodic review and analysis of budgets and financial reports.

Operational

• Conduct appraisal for staff in the finance division
• Write letters to the National Treasury and Development partners

Working Conditions

• The job holder has normal office facilities which includes own office with desk to, access to a telephone line to communicate with the outside world, stable internet. This will enable job holder advise internal and external clients on policy issues in a conducive atmosphere.
• The job holder will be required to optimize balancing between strategic, operational, supervisory and administrative decisions with tight timeframe.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).

Academic qualifications

• Master’s Degree in any of the following; Commerce, Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Strategy or equivalent from a recognized institution with five years OR
• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Economics, Commerce (Accounting or Finance option), Business Administration (Accounting or Finance option), Business Management (Accounting or Finance option), Economics, Actuarial Science or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

• Part III of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) K and must be registered member in good standing with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
• Certificate in Strategic/Leadership Management skills from a recognized institution lasting not less than four weeks from Kenya school of government of its equivalent.

Previous relevant work experience required.

• Seven (7) years with a Bachelor’s Degree or Five (5) years with a Master’s Degree

Functional Skills, Behavioural Competencies/Attributes:

Functional Skills

• Ability to build and lead cohesive teams
• Good Analytical skills
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Strategic thinking and execution of strategies
• Knowledge of the relevant legal, regulatory and Constitutional provision that relate to the Public Financial Management
• Computer skills, with working knowledge of IFMIS and Accounting software such as Sage Pastel Evolution

Behavioral Competencies/Attributes

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
• Be a Team Player
• Ability to manage risk
• Ability to work under pressure and sometimes for long hours.