Job Openings at Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)

Role Summary:

The overall purpose of this position is to oversee all aspects of the Fundraising, Resource Mobilization, Communication, Networking and Partnerships. The officer is responsible for leading, managing, and increasing the fundraising portfolio through various donors and partners, in public and private sectors.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising:

• Work closely with BvAT colleagues to create a fundraising strategy.
• Oversee, update, and implement the fundraising strategy.
• Identify and map suitable and potential donors.
• Identify key funding priorities and funding sources.
• Prioritize time and needs for the appropriate potential donors.
• Identify fundraising gaps within BvAT framework.
• Create a database that defines and identifies upcoming or potential fundraising scenarios
  for each program.

Having identified both the funding needs and potential funding sources, work closely with the Executive Director to match funding sources against BvAT priorities.

• Advise and implement new fundraising approach.
• Review BvAT submitted proposals and assess the deficiency and strengths in each proposal.
• Review and assist the Project Managers during proposal writing phase in order to ensure that new proposals are in line with each donor’s strategy.
• Develop a new mechanism to track funding needs and proposal development.
• Sustain and/or initiate discussion with BvAT donors or potential donors.
• Attend fundraising meetings with International, regional, and local donors.
• Assist in developing logical frameworks and output, outcome and results-based on projects need based on the approach needed by each donor.

Communication:

• Raise awareness of BvAT via its services, successes and plans in Kenya and Africa through digital and social media platforms, the press, etc.
• Coordinate and manage BvAT’s communication channels and materials including print, video, publications, website maintenance and social media activities to raise the profile of BvAT among various target audience including donors, development partners, farmer associations etc.
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of BvAT’s programme/project activities to measure their receptivity and impact among various target audience.
• Oversee development and implementation of a communication strategy in line with BvAT’s strategic plan and the policies and procedures.
• Be responsible for all BvAT’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) activities.

Working Relationships:

• Internal Relationships: All departments, programmes and projects
• External Relationships: Donors, Partners, Government bodies, external and internal auditors

Required Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree in international relations, Development Studies, social sciences, and communications or in a related area.
• A minimum of 5 years progressively responsible experience in fundraising and resource mobilization with proof of having raised substantial long-term funding from a broad range of sources including corporate, local, and international donors.
• Experiencing in writing project concept notes and proposals
• Experience in monitoring, implementation, and reporting of project activities
• Experience in advocacy and/or strategic communication
• Proficiency in using windows operating system as well as Microsoft office applications (Microsoft word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Skills and special aptitudes:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Being diplomatic, professional, and enthusiastic.
• Has excellent attendance and positive attitude to the job.
• Excellent analytical reporting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, cooperation, and networking skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Multicultural understanding.
• Positively accept diversity and differences.

go to method of application »

Role Summary:

The overall purpose of the position is to provide strategic and operational leadership to BvAT’s finance functions in an effective and efficient manner. This includes providing oversight and management support to all aspects of financial management including advisory and technical, project planning and coordination, innovation, and compliance management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Ensure financial integrity and accountability and maintain internal controls. Supervise Operations and Accounts in charge, Accountants, and ensure that transactions and financial decisions adhere to BvAT’s accounting principles, policies, and procedures/guidelines.
• Lead the planning and execution of the financial function including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, and financial reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures/guidelines.
• Conduct analyses and reviews on budget variances in financial reports and provide clarification where necessary to the Senior Management Team and Auditors.
• Manage monthly accounting closing process as per set cut-off date and ensure timely submission of monthly reconciliation including analytical review of the monthly operating results.
• Develop organizational and projects budgets and mechanisms for tracking capital burn rate to actual reporting by line item.
• Prepare high-level financial reports to aid in decision making by senior management, the board, and donors.
• Develop and review accounting and financial policies to ensure they are consistent with statutory and commonly approved financial reporting standards and regulations.
• Support development of new plans and proposals by ensuring budgets are prepared in compliance with requirements of the organization’s policies and strategic plan.
• Monitor, analyse, and interpret BvAT’s financial performance evaluation reports i.e., audits, internal/external evaluations, strategic plan reviews and make recommendations to management on policy and operational changes.
• Engage the Board of Trustees or its finance committee to develop short-, medium-, and longterm financial plans, forecasts, and projections.
• Undertake asset management through prudent management of finance, and physical assets of the organization.
• Generate in timely manner monthly, quarterly, yearly and project specific financial reports in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and donor requirements.
• Provide guidance to Executive Director and Senior Management on strategic business directions by conducting financial planning and analysis, developing scenarios to inform decision making, and advising on key directions and options for development.
• Liaise with external auditors and prepare audit schedules during project and institutional audits and ensure timely delivery as per requirements by BvAT and its donors.
• Oversee the capacity building for the Finance team while providing capacity support to program and project teams on compliance, budgets preparation and management, and financial reporting.
• Manage the general ledger and the financial system for safety and accuracy of the data posted.
• Manage and liaise with the HR the monthly payroll processing to ensure compliance with the labour laws and tax requirements.
• Check and verify payments before approval of the same as per the organization’s policies including procurement and donor policy requirements.
• Analyze and mitigate key elements of the organization’s risk profile and investment policy and advice on investment of the organization’s funds in securities that provide high returns.
• Work closely with the Executive Director in developing new business budgets and cost recovery mechanisms to further the organization’s financial goals.
• Conduct monitoring of BvAT and partner projects to ensure they are implemented as per the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Participate in corporate policy development as a member of the senior management team.
• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by Executive Director.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/ Accounting or a related field.
• CPA (K)
• Minimum of 12 years working experience, with at least 4 years in a similar senior finance role.
• Must be a member of ICPAK.
• Working experience with accounting software e.g., on use of ERP-Microsoft Dynamics

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Technical Skills
• IFRS Knowledge
• Exchange rate Knowledge
• Analytical skills
• Numerical strength
• Leadership Skills

Behavioural Skills

• Good leadership and supervisory skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Sound interpersonal and team building skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Good problem-solving skills and knowledge on conflict management.
• Good negotiation skills

Responsibility for finances and physical assets:

• The job holder participated in budgeting, insurance, and branding of items as per the organization’s and donor guidelines.
• Decision making: The job holder is fully involved in decision making of all finance aspects.
• Information:The job holder has access to financial board minutes, financial statements, and donor information.
• Working Environment:The job is office based with minimum disagreeable conditions. Travel is annually or biannually to partner countries.