Finance Manager at Refugee-Led Organization Network of Kenya (RELON-Kenya)

Job Purpose

• Finance Manager is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership in the finance department to drive the organization’s financial performance and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards.

Job Description

• Oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, and risk management
• Develop and implement financial strategies, policies, and plans aligned with the organization's goals, objectives, and vision.
• Provide leadership and direction to the finance team, including finance officer, Assistant finance officer to achieve departmental and organizational objectives.
• Manage the annual budgeting process, working closely with program officers and management to develop and review budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
• Monitor financial performance against budget, forecast, and key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing variances and trends and providing insights and recommendations to improve financial results.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, reports, and disclosures in accordance with accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Coordinate and liaise with external auditors, tax authorities, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with financial reporting and tax obligations.
• Develop and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard assets, mitigate risks, and ensure integrity and accuracy in financial reporting and operations.
• Assess and manage financial risks, including currency exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk, and implement strategies to mitigate and manage these risks effectively.
• Lead financial analysis and modeling initiatives to support strategic decision-making, investment evaluation, and business planning processes.
• Provide financial insights and guidance to senior management and the board of directors, presenting financial performance, forecasts, and recommendations at meetings and presentations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the finance department, promoting teamwork, professional development, and excellence in performance
• Ensure compliance with donor financial requirements, grant agreements and approved budgets.
• Work closely with management and program officers to ensure expenditure complies with approved budgets and procurement procedures.
• Perform any other finance related duties assigned by the Executive Director.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance; master's degree in finance or Accounting is preferred.
• Professional certification, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Chartered Accountant (CA), is highly desirable.
• At least Seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in finance and accounting with at least 3 years in a senior finance or managerial position
• Proven experience in finance leadership roles, with a record of accomplishment of success in financial management, strategic planning, and Grant management.
• Proven experience Managing Donor-Funded grants, including preparation of donor budgets, financial report, expenditure monitoring and grant compliance
•  Deep knowledge of financial principles, accounting standards, taxation, and regulatory requirements applicable to the organization's geographic locations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends and insights, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate financial concepts and insights to non-financial stakeholders effectively.
• Leadership qualities, including vision, integrity, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve excellence.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including senior executives and board members.
• Proficiency in financial analysis tools, modeling techniques, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, Online or desktop QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Results-oriented mindset, with a focus on driving financial performance, maximizing profitability, and creating long-term shareholder value.