Job Vacancies at African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Finance Officer will handle general accounting and finance operations as required of a very busy multi-donor funded NGO. Assignments will include budgeting for financial resources required by FEMNET, report on the utilisation of financial resources through variance analysis, and ensure financial resources are utilised within the stipulated policies, and contractual agreements. In addition, the position will ensure compliance with donor financial reporting and forecasting requirements, Kenyan laws and regulations, and FEMNET procurement policies and procedures.

Terms of Reference

Main Duties include:

• Financial, Management Accounting and Control
  • Being one of the main data entry persons into the accounting system to produce periodic and end of year Income and expenditure, financial position, cash flows, fully reconciled bank reconciliations etc.
  • Produces monthly, quarterly year-end actual v budget (variance) analysis and other management information that may be required from time to time.
  • Drafts multi-year organisational and specific programme activity budgets.
  • Monitors technical implementation of grants to ensure timely progress and according to submitted technical reports, proposed strategy, and work plans.
  • Supports the Finance HR and Admin. department in ensuring full compliance with policies & procedures, particularly around cash, advances, banking, and assets.
  • Supports in safeguarding of the assets of the organisation, including the maintenance of the Fixed Asset register.
  • As may be assigned, supports finance and admin. department in its function as procurement focal centre, to drive the implementation of procurement policies and plans, aimed at cost effective acquisition of high-quality materials, goods, consultancies, and non-consultancy services.
  • Preparing cash forecasts to identify monthly funding requirements to optimise resources and deliver value for money.
  • Contributing on operational and strategic issues as a member of the Finance and Admin. Team.
• Donor Compliance
  • Ensures compliance with all financial reporting and forecasting requirements of specific donors projects and the institution, and ensuring the smooth flow of funds from funding sources;
  • Ensures expenditure are incurred and reported in line with contractual agreements.
  • Ensures project financial reports are compiled, aligned with narrative reports and submitted in a timely manner to keep all stake holders informed.
  • Administration, Logistics, Legal and Statutory Compliance
  • Ensures transactions processed fully comply with host country- Kenyan laws and regulations.
  • Supporting department and/or unit head in identifying and implementing financial, legislative and /or statutory changes that may affect the organisation’s operations;
• Other Duties
  • Making capital investment decisions using the most popular methods (ARR, PP, NPV, IRR);
  • Carrying out Cost -Volume-Profit analysis through deep understanding of Fixed and stepped fixed costs, variable and semi variable costs and the relationships between the costs, volume and profit.
  • Carrying out Break-even analysis and associated risk analysis (doing marginal analysis for short term decisions, operating gearing etc.) for pricing decisions, efficiency in use of resources –limiting factor, closing, or continuing operations etc.
  • Undertaking any other duties that might be assigned, from time to time.

Key Performance Indicators

• Monthly, Quarterly and Annual actual v budget (variance) analysis and other management information.
• A number of specific project financial reports that are aligned with narrative reports and submit in a timely manner to keep all stake holders informed depending on the donor requirements
• Compliance with policies & procedures, particularly around cash advances
• Several budget proposals aligned with narrative proposals for donor review, verification, and acceptance for funding.
• Support to Sub-grant compliance issues
• Preparation of complete audit schedule for annual audited financial statements in compliance with relevant international standards.

Academic Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following: accounting, finance, business-related field, economics or related discipline.
• Qualified Accountant CPA (K), ACCA, CMA or equivalent qualifications
• At least 3 years’ experience in accounting and finance preferably in an international or a regional not for profit organization/ NGO.

Knowledge and Skills

• Must have knowledge and hands on experience in use of networked SAP ERP on-premises or cloud-based system and most recent version of QuickBooks.
• Knowledge and experience in generating a variety of programme/ activity and annual organisational budgets.
• Working knowledge of NGO Accounting, financial reporting and audit standards as well as generally accepted practices.
• Advance knowledge and use of information management skills
• Working experience with donor conditions like EU, DFID, Sida among others.
• Basic working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.

Desired Behavioural attributes

• Integrity and ethics: High integrity and ethical behaviour in all dealings and ensure that own behaviour is consistent with FEMNET’s values and standards
• Professionalism: Demonstrates high standards and expertise in all areas of work
• Result oriented: Consistently meet set goals, focused and goal oriented.
• Emotional intelligence, use information to guide thinking and behaviour
• Resilience to work well with others despite any challenges.
• Team player/ Interpersonal relations: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally to achieve the goals; information flow, and relationship management
• Excellent reporting and analysis of work done factoring work environment
• Flexibility to wade through the dynamic NGO world
• Attention to detail, and good judgment.
• Demonstrates commitment to gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights

Remuneration will be in line with the set procedures of the organizations which consider the experience and qualifications of the candidate.

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1. About the role

We are currently seeking an exceptional, passionate, dynamic, and gender equality expert to take on the position of Programme Officer- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (PO – SRHR) on a one year fixed term contract. Reporting to the SRHR Lead, the PO- SRHR will handle SRHR advocacy and campaign projects at FEMNET, ensuring that the organisation takes advantage of the synergies that enhance the effectiveness of the Network’s Programmes. The PO- SRHR will contribute to the conceptualisation of the initiatives and SRHR advocacy projects, run the thematic work both administratively and content wise.

Job Purpose

The position holder will work closely with diverse teams to formulate and implement specific activities in the annual work plan for the Network in accordance to FEMNET’s contractual obligations and internal policies and procedures and provide technical design and management of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights aspect to ensure FEMNET SRH&R address the needs and aspirations of African Women and Girls.

Terms of Reference

Main Duties:

• Ensure FEMNET SRHR is grounded on “Rights” and echoed by African Feminist Principles
• Support SRHR work across the region with major focus on Bodily Autonomy and Integrity (BAI) implementing partners in 6 countries
• Support the documentation of periodic reports and activities developed as part of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Programs.
• With support from the SRHR Lead, work closely with Monitoring and Evaluation Lead to ensure all SRHR projects within FEMNET are aligned to Monitoring and evaluation framework
• With support from the SRHR Lead, work closely with capacity Building Coordinator to ensure that all Women Rights Organization grantees are provided with technical assistance in the formulation of policies and research.
• Provide support to SRHR advocacy work at FEMNET
• Contribute and participate to FEMNET’S meaningful and strategic participation in various national. Sub-regional, regional and global spaces.
• Support the implementation of all SRHR projects within FEMNET and ensuring quality assurance and standard practices and guidelines are adhered to.
• Represent FEMNET in different advocacy and influencing space
• Maintain good and strong relationship with FEMNET’s SRHR partners while ensuring accountability and delivery of high impact programs.
• Provide support to the implementation to FEMNET’s new strategic plan and SRHR Portfolio.

Person Specification

This role offers a unique opportunity for an individual with a genuine passion and commitment to work for the advancement of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of African Women and Girls by leading specific actions of one of the largest and influential pan-African feminist networks.

Experience, Skills competencies, and qualifications:

Academic Qualifications

• Have a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender, International relations, or any other relevant discipline from a recognised university.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• At least 2 – 3 years’ related experience and/or equivalent combination and achievement against the majority of the TORs
• Demonstrate commitment and experience in SRHR and/or women’s human rights organising in Africa in all of its diversity.
• Proven research, analytical skills, and ability to apply them in inter-disciplinary contexts
• Comfortable with virtual communication – through email, Skype, and social media
• Strong oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-interest, multi­ethnic environment
• Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to multi-task under limited supervision
• Experience working at the African regional level and international levels including working with African Union Institutions/Organs and UN Bodies.
• Strong Information Technology (IT) & Information System (IS) skills, including Microsoft Office packages, ERPs etc.

Other attributes

• A critical understanding of and deep commitment to feminism, social justice, and human rights issues facing women and trans* people worldwide.
• Demonstrate commitment to Charter of African Feminist Principles
• Shares the values of the organization: integrity, feminisms, wellbeing, justice, courage, and mindful engagement
• Ability to break down complex information into actionable points
• Ability to communicate and work effectively in English. Competency in French will be added an advantage
• Thrives in a small team atmosphere with highly collaborative and consensus-driven activists
• Works methodically with attention to detail and sensitivity to confidential information
• A high level of self-awareness, sound judgement, self-care, passion and flexibility
• Ability to multi-task under limited supervision
• Willing to travel frequently within Africa and beyond.

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Job Purpose

FEMNET is seeking to recruit a dynamic, passionate, economist to serve as Economic Justice (EJ) Lead on a 2-year contract renewable upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds, to co-create, shape, lead, strengthen and deliver FEMNET’s Economic Justice work. The lead will also be instrumental in building and strengthening solidarity within FEMNET membership, with close allies and partners and with broader Economic Justice Movements and Social Movements.

Functionally Reports to: Programme Manager

Terms of Reference

Main duties include

1. Building Feminist Power: At the core of the FEMNET Economic Justice work, is commitment to change and shape spaces and macroeconomic policies. Building collective feminist power is invaluable means to that end. African Feminist Economic Justice lead will, in collaboration with other thematic leaders, partners and allies
   1. Assess trends and systematic change relevant to economic justice and social justice, focusing on the macroeconomic policies, practices, systems and structures.
   2. Create, generate and collate body of knowledge on African Feminist Economics through research, feminist analysis and documentation.
   3. Lead in creating robust, cutting edge influencing strategy to ensure concrete changes are attained in different policy process that FEMNET engages that include, AU, AGA, AfCTA, CSW, World Bank Annuals, Financing for development, BRICs Feminist Watch, Gender and Trade Network,
   4. Convene, support and make discernible engagement of African women and girls and FEMNET members across the 5 African regions and diaspora in different policy spaces.
   5. Lead in advocating for the network to have space in speaking engagements that are authentic with facts and robust feminist analysis.
   6. Draft analytical papers/blogs on feminist analysis of key macroeconomic issues that include but not limited to IFFs, debt, tax justice, Gender transformative budgeting, private and public policies.
   7. Support the integration of feminist economic analysis in the key thematic focus of FEMNET-:

1. Strengthening Solidarity: To alter relations of power and disrupt world economic order, there is a need to strengthen solidarity across horizontal and vertical socioeconomic and geographical stratifications. To that end, EJ Lead will
   1. Build the capacity of women’s rights organizations and activists to enhance their knowledge to inform their engagement and action in economic justice and rights.
   2. Coordinate and curate with relevant partners the annual African Feminist Macroeconomic Academy (AFMA), public lectures and follow up on action points.
   3. Coordinate and nurture a community of African Feminists working on the macroeconomic policies (AFMA alumni)
   4. Design and lead solidarity actions within FEMNET membership and across the broader movements.
   5. Build and strengthen allies with gender equality and social justice advocates with other traditional economic justice allies and partners.
2. Amplifying voices: FEMNET draw her strength from more than 800 members across 50 African countries and the diaspora. EJ lead will
   1. Ensure FEMNET members are equitably represented in both internal and external engagements.
   2. Document in various format African women lived realities and their quest to Economic Justice making an intricate link between macro and micro economics.
   3. Work closely with the VOICE team to amplify and sustain voices of African women and girls in all their diversities and their demand to Economic Justice
   4. In collaboration with VOICE team, popularize knowledge products produced by FEMNET and her members to ensure easy accessibility, debunk and simplify complex concepts for driving advocacy.
3. Nurturing FEMNET Soul: EJ lead will as a member of the FEMNET family embrace the African feminist principles, nurture teamwork embracing diversity, inclusion and creativity in a multi- cultural environment and to that end will:
   1. Embrace African leadership principles and ensure FEMNET lives and breath the African Feminist organization principles and values.
   2. Directly manage and lead Economic Justice team and ensure their safety and wellbeing as the first point of contact in collaboration with other departments and units
   3. Work closely with other thematic leads to ensure cross learning and holistic implementation of FEMNET programs
   4. Ensure timely and impactful implementation of all EJ actions
   5. Manage development partners relations and ensure all contractual obligations under Economic Justice portfolio are served and fulfilled
   6. Manage budget for the Economic Justice portfolio while working closely with finance team to maintain highest level of financial integrity and compliance.
   7. In collaboration with Monitoring and Learning lead, ensure timely and adequate documentation, periodic monitoring, adaptive learning and systematic evaluation of the Economic Justice programs
   8. Produce timely outcome-based reports for both internal and external use
   9. Lead and/or support resource mobilizations through structured bidding process or fundraising activities
   10. Support the other thematic leads ensuring an intersectional approach in line with FEMNET’s strategic priorities.

1. Person Specification

This role offers a unique opportunity for a Economist to lead and shape continental and global debate, policies and spaces.  A feminist, gender equality and women’s rights activist with a genuine commitment to work and passion to drive transformative change will have a platform to serve and join a dynamic team working with one of the largest and influential Pan-African feminist networks.

Experience, Skills competencies and qualifications:

Academic Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Gender, Law or any other relevant discipline from a recognised university
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field from a recognised university.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 4 – 7 years in a senior program management position, working on macroeconomic policies, public policy issues and using a gendered analysis of macroeconomics.
• Experience working at the African regional level and/or international levels including experience working with African Union Institutions/Organs and UN Bodies.
• Knowledge and experience with international grant making processes and compliance
• Strong Information Technology (IT) & Information System (IS) skills, including Microsoft Office packages, ERPs etc
• Proven research, conceptual, analytical skills and ability to apply them in inter-disciplinary contexts
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-interest, multi-ethnic environment
• Strong professional linkages with gender justice and human rights organizations and activists •
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills
• A collaborative nature and proven track record of teamwork and generous leadership
• Strong critical thinking skills, resourcefulness, and ability to problem-solve
• Passion for social justice and human rights, including women’s rights and LGBTQI equality

Other attributes

• A critical understanding of and deep commitment to feminism, social justice, and human rights issues facing women and trans* people worldwide.
• Demonstrate commitment to Charter of African Feminist Principles
• Ability to break down complex information into actionable points
• Ability to communicate and work effectively in English. Competency in French will be added an advantage
• Thrives in a small team atmosphere with highly collaborative and consensus-driven activists
• Works methodically with attention to detail and sensitivity to confidential information
• A high level of self-awareness, sound judgement, self-care, passion and flexibility
• Ability to multi-task under limited supervision
• Willing to travel frequently within Africa and beyond.