Job Openings at Chancen International

Position Overview

• The Finance Senior Associate will be responsible for managing and overseeing all financial aspects of the LEAP Programme. This role focuses on financial planning, reporting, compliance, and portfolio management to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in financial operations. The role requires strong financial expertise, analytical ability, and experience in lending operations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead the preparation and maintenance of accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Supervise bookkeeping activities carried out by third-party service providers and ensure timely reconciliation of accounts.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Board and investors, including:
• Quarterly financial statements
• Budget vs actual performance reports
• Cash flow projections
• Loan portfolio performance and risk reports
• Develop and update quarterly forecasts for disbursements and repayments.
• Monitor financial performance and recommend corrective actions to meet targets.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process and provide periodic variance analysis.
• Manage cash flow and liquidity planning to ensure operational sustainability.
• Support long-term financial planning for programme growth.

Portfolio & Loan Management

• Oversee and report on loan portfolio performance, including repayment trends and arrears management.
• Collaborate with loan collection service providers to ensure accuracy in:
• Loan reconciliations
• Outstanding balances
• Repayment schedules

Provide data-driven insights to improve collection efficiency and portfolio quality

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure timely compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g., KRA filings, audits).
• Serve as the main point of contact for auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain proper documentation and internal controls to meet legal and governance standards.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Enhance financial systems and processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.
• Leverage tools like Xero Accounting Software and Excel for reporting automation and data analytics.

Board Engagement & Governance

• Prepare financial reports, briefing notes, and data packs for Board and Funders meetings.
• Coordinate with the management team to ensure all financial information required for Board decision-making is accurate and timely.
• Support the Board in reviewing financial performance, compliance matters, and portfolio health.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in finance, accounting, or lending operations (preferably in microfinance, consumer finance or SACCO).
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Proficient in Xero Accounting Software and advanced Excel skills.
• Proven experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and portfolio management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong financial and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret financial data and present it to stakeholders in a clear and actionable way.
• Process-driven mindset with a focus on internal controls and risk management.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Passion for impact-driven finance and education sector initiatives.

Benefits

• 21 days of annual leave, excluding national holidays.
• Training, learning and development opportunities and financial support for further education.
• Medical insurance/aid coverage and wellbeing initiatives. 
• A fulfilling work environment in a supportive and impact-driven organization with clear, frequent growth opportunities.

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Job Summary:

• The Partnerships Senior Associate will support the expansion and management of Chancen Kenya's portfolio of partner educational institutions (PEIs). You will be responsible for key aspects of the partner due diligence process, ensuring the integrity and sustainability of our ISA investments. This role requires a professional who can engage partners, analyze data to uncover opportunities, and contribute proactively to the strategic goals of the department, operating with a high degree of independence.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Due Diligence & Investment Analysis

• Lead the collection, collation, and rigorous analysis of institutional data (enrollment, graduation rates, employment outcomes, etc.) to assess investment risk for
• prospective and existing partners.
• Prepare comprehensive underwriting documents and presentations for internal
• investment committees, presenting problem analysis and recommended solutions.
• Act as a key liaison between partner institutions and internal teams (Finance, SAM, Repayments, Communications & Community, Data, etc.) to ensure a smooth and timely due diligence process.
• Conduct periodic partner audits as required by company policy, maintaining strict confidentiality of client and partner information.

Partnership Development & Management

• Proactively generate new partnership leads within the private and public education sectors through research, networking, and attending industry events.
• Support the Partnership Manager in building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with current partners, ensuring their needs are met and identifying new opportunities.
• Assist in the development, formalization, and management of partnership agreements and contracts.
• Contribute to the continuous evaluation of existing partnerships to ensure alignment with Chancen’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Develop structured engagement plans for each PEI, outlining quarterly touchpoints, performance reviews, and improvement actions.
• Track progress against partnership agreements and ensure PEIs meet SLAs, reporting deadlines, and system usage requirements.

Data, Reporting & Strategic Support

• Manage and update the partner dashboard and tracker to ensure 100% accuracy and compliance with monthly reporting standards.
• Utilize data insights to identify trends, opportunities for process improvement, and partnership growth within the department.
• Prepare clear, well-organized, and actionable reports on partnership pipeline, progress against targets, and key performance indicators for internal stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing support to PEI staff on system usage, escalations, and updates.
• Lead the annual audit process for all assigned PEIs, ensuring full compliance with partnership agreements, reporting, and payment plans.

Disbursement & Portfolio Support

• Work alongside internal teams such as Finance, SAM, Communications & Community, Repayments, and Data to manage the timely and accurate disbursement of funds to partners.
• Ensure that all cohorts in the PEI are compliant with commitment fees and are in session before any disbursements are made to the PEI.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, International Development, Marketing, or a related field.
• 3-6 years of proven experience in a partnerships, business development, data analysis, or project management role. Experience in the education sector, financial services, or impact investing is a strong advantage.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with proven ability to resolve operational problems of a routine to moderately complex nature.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport,
• manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, and present information clearly in both written and verbal forms.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and able to manage multiple priorities, measure progress against targets, and meet consistent deadlines.

Benefits

• 21 days of annual leave, excluding national holidays.
• Training, learning and development opportunities and financial support for further education.
• Medical insurance/aid coverage and wellbeing initiatives. 
• A fulfilling work environment in a supportive and impact-driven organization with clear, frequent growth opportunities