Vacancies at MAZIDO

Summary:

This position plays a crucial role in the STAWI Mashinani program, a USAID-funded initiative focused on enhancing water resource management for domestic and productive use. The Agroecology Officer will be responsible for managing and implementing programs that promote sustainable water use for agriculture, livestock rearing, and domestic purposes, while fostering collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Technical Expertise:
  • Provide expert knowledge and guidance on water for productive use (WfPU) activities, integrating sustainable farming practices into the STAWI Mashinani program.
  • Collaborate with the STAWI Mashinani team to develop, pilot, and implement agroecology and sustainable food system solutions that enhance agricultural production.
• Capacity Building:
  • Conduct or facilitate training workshops for stakeholders, including Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs), farmers and community members, on topics like efficient water use, climate-smart water technologies, and agroecological practices.
• Business Development and Partnerships:
  • Work with the WASH Manager to develop and implement technical assistance plans for WfPU businesses, such as irrigation schemes, focusing on improving operation and maintenance (O&M) and efficiency
  • Engage with private sector water businesses to explore opportunities for delivering water services for productive purposes.
  • Collaborate with financial institutions like the Agricultural Finance Corporation to identify and expand funding opportunities for water supply investments, enabling enterprises and cooperatives to improve water recharge and storage.
• Community Engagement and Project Management:
  • Support community groups in designing and implementing well-managed water harvesting and multi-use water systems to increase water availability for productive uses.
  • Prepare regular progress reports and provide timely updates to key stakeholders, ensuring adherence to donor guidelines and deadlines.
  • Apply best practices in project management, ensuring project deliverables are met and leading the technical aspects of the project.
  • Filling in for other project staff as and when need arises.
  • Any other additional work as assigned by the project lead.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural/water science, agronomy, agribusiness, water resource management, environmental science, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in planning, programming, and implementing WfPU and agriculture-focused programs.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects, preferably with USAID.
• Deep understanding of Taita Taveta County, particularly in the context of WASH.
• Proven experience in delivering high-quality reports for development partners and donors.
• Strong oral and written communication, analytical, interpersonal, attention to detail, organizational, team management, and community mobilization skills.
• Proficiency in IT applications.

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Summary:

This position plays a vital role in supporting the financial management of various projects, including the STAWI Mashinani program funded by USAID. The Finance Officer will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including budget preparation and monitoring, financial reporting, compliance, and managing financial systems.

Responsibilities:

• Budget Management:
  • Actively participate in the preparation and monitoring of project budgets.
  • Gain comprehensive knowledge of the STAWI Mashinani Field Operations Manual (FOM) and identify areas requiring policy or procedure adjustments.
  • Understand and adhere to USAID rules and regulations for compliant project implementation.
• Financial Reporting:
  • Develop and maintain reports on financial management activities (monthly and quarterly).
  • Ensure the balance of project asset/inventory reports with the general ledger/field accounting system before submission to USAID.
  • Identify and comply with all contractual financial reporting requirements in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Ensure proper documentation of tax reporting procedures for timely submission.
  • Review and submit monthly reconciliation reports, including those related to foreign exchange.
  • Prepare annual budgets and quarterly forecasts against budget statements.
  • Conduct regular financial analyses to assess project performance and identify areas for improvement or potential risks.
• Audit and Compliance:
  • Coordinate with external auditors and ensure timely and accurate provision of required financial documents and information for annual and special audits.
  • Ensure adherence to Kenyan law standards and established internal controls for project financial management, aligning with MAZIDO policies and USAID regulations.
• General Accounting and Financial Management:
  • Conduct regular cash flow analyses to maintain accurate bank balances and ensure fund availability.
  • Process invoices, advances, reimbursements, checks, and wire transfers accurately and timely.
  • Ensure timely deposit of cash receipts.
  • Manage petty cash according to established procedures.
  • Safeguard bank checks, cash receipts, and maintain file management systems for financial documents.
  • Maintain files related to subawards, procurement, and subcontractors.
  • Manage the schedule of financial activities for timely preparation of budget reports.
  • Minimize non-billable expenses.
  • Track, record, and report taxes paid to USAID as per ADS guidelines.
• Travel Advances & Reimbursements:
  • Follow established procedures to ensure accurate and timely processing of travel advances and reimbursements for staff and partners.
  • Regularly review outstanding travel advances and aging reports for accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Payroll:
  • Manage the payroll for accurate and timely processing of all transactions, adhering to employment agreements.
  • Ensure staff compliance with the timekeeping policy and maintain accurate records of staff attendance and working hours.
• Financial & Procurement Systems:
  • Update financial information in the designated financial system.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent, or CPA (K). Master’s degree is a plus.
• Proficiency in financial management software and tools (ERP and accounting systems).
• Experience managing donor (preferably USAID) funds is a significant advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in finance and accounting, financial analysis, and reporting to management and stakeholders.
• Solid experience in audit coordination, reporting, budget development/analysis, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll taxes, and accounting.
• Strong oral and written communication, analytical, interpersonal, attention to detail, organizational, and team management skills.
• Familiarity with USAID programming models is a plus.
• IT proficiency is essential.

Working Relationships:

This role requires regular interaction with both internal and external stakeholders, including:

• Internal and external STAWI teams
• Consultants
• Development partners