Grants & Finance Specialist at TechnoServe Kenya

Job Summary:

• TechnoServe seeks an experienced Grants and Finance Specialist for the NutriSave Project. The Grants and finance specialist will manage the administration of grants and the related processes. S/he will lead the design of a Grants Manual and develop criteria for recipients of grants. S/he will also monitor the performance of sub-awardees and compliance, including conducting monitoring visits. The Grants and Finance specialist will provide technical assistance to sub-awardees to support their compliance and optimal performance.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Financial Management, Reporting and Analysis 

• Track program and grantee expenditure against the program budgets
• Support the annual and mid-year budgeting, forecasting and planning, and ensure that they are consistent with TechnoServe’s guidelines and procedures
• Lead preparation of budget realignment and budget modification requests when needed
• Ensure program financial audits are completed every year.
• Provide financial and accounting oversight to the NutriSave Project
• Establish and ensure compliance with budget codes.
• Ensure that all financial data recorded in the financial management system have the mandatory accounting dimensions.
• Review accounting transactions and work with in-country controllers to fix any errors as well as ensuring timely completion of month-end procedures.
• Lead on any project audit
• Ensure all accounting program data is updated in the system, reconciled and fully supported in accordance with the donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of quarterly and annual financial reporting to the donors.

Grants Management 

• Support the due diligence process with regard to all the project sub grantees.
• With input from country program managers, manage and monitor the matching grants program.
• Provide guidance and training as necessary to all potential subgrantees on the requirements of the proposal preparation and submission process, financial management requirements, and any other administrative requirements pertinent to the grant fund.
• Review disbursement to the program partners including review of partners’ financial reports and documentation.
• Monitor expenditure against partner grant budgets.
• Working closely with the team, oversee procurement processes including tendering process, supplier selection, to ensure procurement solutions that meet project needs are compliant with all applicable regulations and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality in relation to sensitive and confidential commercial and business financial decisions and issues.
• Ensure that all processes and procurements adhere to corporate policy, legal and contractual obligations, and corporate and donor standards
• Oversee the project’s fixed asset register as maintained by the operations specialist
• Review the consultant’s folder maintained by the team to ensure completeness of records.

Basic Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law or other relevant field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 5 years’ professional experience in grants or contracts management for a large-scale, complex international development assistance program. 3 years’ experience for Master’s degree. 
• Proven experience making recommendations on the scope, duration and amount of grants. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze grantee reports for compliance and make recommendations to strengthen performance.
• Strong project management skills including the ability to anticipate demand and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Prior work experience in countries in East Africa. Experience working in Kenya strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project, and PowerPoint).

Required Languages

• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong private sector market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
• Results-oriented, with demonstrated experience achieving project targets.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Detail orientation, including strong organizational, analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume workflow, with minimal supervision.
• Proven team player with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other administrative applications.