Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

Purpose of the CFO:

• To ensure a high-performing WWF-Kenya Office with efficient and strong financial resources as key components of WWF’s business.
• To support WWF-Kenya in the implementation of the organization’s strategic and business plans and in ensuring that the organization has enough financial resources to comply with its contractual obligations.

Major Functions:

• To provide effective leadership to ensure strong and professional and efficient financial management at WWF-Kenya.
• To supervise and co-ordinate the development and implementation of policies, procedures and systems for all financial support services throughout the organization, including accounting, budget management, financial reporting, auditing and adherence to guidelines and policies developed by the WWF-Kenya and any applicable national law.

 
The responsibilities of this position include: 

Financial Strategy, Planning and Performance

• In collaboration with senior leadership, develop and implement long-term plans and strategies to ensure financial sustainability.
• Oversee all budgeting, reporting and forecasting processes. This includes support of the conservation programme teams in defining and managing budgets, reports and programmes.
• Monitor performance against financial targets and budgets whilst managing any deviations.
• Direct and improve WWF-Kenya’s performance to meet operations and management systems network standards and best practices as well as contractual requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation of the annual operations and programme budgets for the organization, in accordance with the annual planning cycle. Budget planning will require close collaboration with finance, accounting, operations and programme staff.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Ensure that the organization has appropriate financial structures with properly qualified and trained staff;
• Ensure the adequacy and quality of financial reports, systems, procedures and internal controls in all Programmes;
• Develop a schedule/or timetable for data transfer from programmes to ensure the timely preparation of consolidated financial reports. Directs the preparation and distribution of all consolidated financial reports;
• Supervise the development of and modifications to the Chart of Accounts;
• Ensure that all contracts are properly developed and that all programmes properly monitor and fulfil their contractual obligations, including reporting to donors;
• Ensure that all project budgets are fully funded;
• Ensure that staff contracts are funded and appropriate systems are in place for payment;
• Ensure that the financial reports for all programmes are regularly reviewed, analyzed and followed up jointly by finance staff and the project accountants;
• Co-ordinate transfers of funds to projects;
• Ensure quality of service of the financial departments and monitor the Financial Key Performance Indicator (KPI);
• Provides accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports as well as forecasts to management and donors;
• Proactively identify and resolve financial, regulatory or reporting issues and ensures that all relevant stakeholders are made aware to avoid surprises.
• Provide financial statements, reports and analysis to the Board and other Committees to assist with decision-making.

Financial Operations and Controls

• Ensure that WWF has the right financial systems. All system implementations have to meet the needs of the organization and users.
• Ensure financial controls to safeguard the organization’s assets are in place and adhered to.
• Effective and efficient management of treasury and accounting operations.
• Provide guidance in all areas related to finance and accounting.

Institutional and Project Audits

• Own the internal and external audit processes to ensure that all recommendations are effected
• Organize for Annual Institutional Audit and Project Audit as agreed with donors. 
• Prepare audit account schedules, engage with the audit team, organize entry and exit meetings, organize field work and presentation to the Board for sign-off. Implement audit recommendations and follow up on audit issues to close before the next annual audit. 
• Leadership and People Management
• Lead, supervise, motivate and develop the Finance team.
• In collaboration with the Human Resource function, understand and address the training gaps of the team.
• Maintain staff discipline and effectively handle staff grievances in consultation with the HR function.

Does this sound like you?

• 7+ years in a similar role.
• A degree in Finance, Accounting, Banking, Entrepreneurship, Commerce, Business Administration or a related field.
• A CPA (K) or ACCA professional qualification; a member of a professional body in good standing. 
• Familiarity with SAP and other ERPs will be an added advantage.
• Determined, decisive, proactive, credible and delivery oriented.
• Continually challenges the status quo yet inspiring and collaborative.
• Sound knowledge of donor compliance regulations (preferred).
• Experience of delivering effective change processes (preferred).

Applications will close on Friday, 25th August 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.