Finance Manager -Contracts and Grants at African Management Initiative (AMI)

AMI is now looking for a Finance Manager – Contracts and Grants to be based in Nairobi to manage customer contracts and grants. This requires a commercial accountant to work as part of multi-disciplined team in a fast-paced environment.

The Finance Manager will report to the Chief Financial Officer with a dotted line to the Senior Partnerships Manager and will work in a team of Partnerships Managers/Leads and Associates, and with the learning and business development teams, to support clients across Africa. You will be a key player in a dynamic, international team focused obsessively on results.

Accounting Function and Internal Controls

Supporting the Proposals Teams.

• Assist the Proposals Team in preparing budgets and costings for client proposals
• Ensure that target margins are achievable from proposals submitted
• Ensure that tax implications are considered when pricing proposals

Managing Contracts and Grants

• Ensure that proposal and projects are properly set up in NetSuite
• Ensure that costs are properly coded to projects and that time writing, purchase orders, staff expenses etc properly approved by project budget holders.
• Monitor costs against project budget and highlight any adverse trends and variances so that action can be taken.
• Manage and monitor income recognition
• Ensure that project billings are raised accurately and on time and with adequate supporting documentation
•  Prepare grant/contract financial reports within timescales required and work with the programme manager to ensure that variances are understood and can be explained to the client.
• Review projects and grant reports with CFO

Contract Compliance

• Attend and/or initiate contract reviews with Proposals/Implementation Team to ensure that contract financial conditions are understood and acceptable
• Ensure that contract conditions are complied with (e.g. re-collecting, collating and providing supporting documentation to the client, maintaining required insurance levels , ensuring contract documents are signed, tax laws are complied with etc)
• Understand and ensure that group accounting procedures, internal controls and pricing/costing guidelines are followed and implemented.
• Ensure that AMI staff and budget holders spend in line with Project budgets
• Assist the Senior Partnerships Manager and CFO , as required

Skills & attributes

•  Project Management | Develops/follows project plans, coordinates projects, completes projects on time.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills. Problem solving and deliver to tight deadlines. 
• Communication | Excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent oral, written and visual communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Initiative and execution of tasks | MUST be able to work independently, take initiative to solve problems and proactively address issues and follow tasks through to completion
• Personal | Motivated, self-starter, independent worker.

Education and Experience

• Qualified accountant with recognized professional body
• At least 3 years’ experience of grant and/or contract financial management
• Well-organized and able to work to tight deadlines
• Good communicator at all levels and to non-financial staff too
• Experienced in use of ERP system or recognized accounting software. NetSuite preferred
• Good Excel skills
• Good report writing skills
• Able to thrive in a fast and commercial environment
• Flexible, helpful and versatile team player