Project Finance Officer at Heifer International

The Person

We are seeking for a bachelor’s degree holder in Finance, Accounting, Economics or other related disciplines with a minimum of four (4) years of experience in accounting practices within donor funded organizations or projects. Experience working on USAID grant and donor financial reporting is highly desirable

 RESPONSIBILIIES AND DELIVERABLES:

Project financial management and monitoring of project budgets

• Support in analysing expenses and present financial reports on monthly basis to the Finance Manager and Project Manager.
• Participate in the annual planning and development of budgets and their monthly review and tracking.
• In conjunction with Project team, to support in monthly analysis of budget variance and activities.
• Review projects and staff payment request to ensure sound financial management systems of Heifer finance policy is adhered to on daily basis.
• Ensure proper management and documentation of project assets in line with laid down Heifer policies.
• Support finance and project managers to monitor the TRANSFORM project budget on monthly basis.

Processing of accounting information

• Work closely with the finance manager to ensure project transactions are completed before 10th of the following month so that project monthly reports are properly generated.
• Maintain project petty cash float in line with Pettycash management controls and policy.
• Facilitate timely and accurate registration of transactions in Agresso on daily basis.
• Participate in organizing donor financial records, and ensure internal controls are maintained.
• Support the project financial documentation project as required by Heifer Accounting Policies Procedures (APPs) on daily basis and upload of scanned financial documents into Agresso ERP.
• File financial documents appropriately in the relevant month when posted in Agresso ERP.
• Submit weekly report to the supervisor on status of document archiving in Agresso ERP.

 Participate in risk management and process improvement  

• Support in maintaining sound financial management systems, and liaison with other functions to enhance compliance
• Ensure payments are fully supported and approved appropriately i.e., field trip reports, LPOs
• In cases of suppliers, ensure that the relevant procurement processes are always adhered to where necessary.
• Contibute to improvement of financial processes to ensure the accounting system adapts to emerging program needs e.g. new codes, automation of processes.
• Support project audits and ensure all requested information is supplied in a timely manner and that all relevant audit recommendations are followed through for implementation

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Effective communication skills ability to present ideas clearly, both orally and in writing and to prepare comprehensive reports
• Effective interpersonal skills to establish cooperative working relationships while performing assigned duties
•  Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gather and analyse information skillfully, develop alternative solutions, work well in group problem solving situations and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics
• Considerable knowledge of financial management systems, spreadsheet computerized accounting, budgeting, and systems
• Ability and willingness to make consultative decisions, exhibit sound and accurate judgment, support and explain reasoning for decisions, include appropriate people in decision-making process and makes timely decisions
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, analyse financial and operational data and information, think analytically and critically
• Ability to maintains high level of confidentiality, remain open to new ideas and experiment with improved systems and proven methods

 QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and finance plus CPA (K) or ACCA qualifications
• Four (4) years’ experience in accounting including skills in computerized accounting systems.
  Key Competencies
• Exposure to USAID grants and expected donor financial reporting
• Considerable knowledge of accounting, financial modelling, and cash flow forecasting
• Considerable knowledge and ability to perform professional accounting work in accordance with the international “Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles” (GAAP), procedures, standards, and controls, including financial forecasting and monitoring of budgets as well as donor accounting procedures