Kenya: Finance and Administration Officer

SUMMARY

The Rift Valley Institute seeks an exceptional, multi-talented professional to fill the post of Finance and Administration Officer based in our Nairobi Office.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The RVI Finance and Administration Officer will assist in processing financial records, enforcement of policies and procedures and the general financial administration of the Nairobi office and other RVI programmes.

GENERAL

Title of post

Finance and Administration Officer

Employment type

Full-time

Duration

One-year contract with likelihood of permanent contract thereafter

Start date

December 2015

Location

Nairobi

Salary

KES 960,000 per annum

Other provisions

28 days annual paid leave, public holidays, training allowance, and staff canteen

Application deadline

15 November 2015

Background

The Rift Valley Institute (www.riftvalley.net) is a small, expanding, independent, non-profit organization working in eastern and central Africa. The Institute operates at the interface between research, policy and education, aiming to advance understanding of the region and its diverse communities. RVI programmes are designed for long-term impact: shaping aid interventions, expanding space for public participation in policy, supporting local research capacity, preserving communal histories and promoting social justice. The activities of the Institute include action-oriented research, field-based training, online digital archives, distance learning, open-access publishing and support for educational institutions in eastern and central Africa. There are RVI offices in the UK (London), in Kenya (Nairobi), in South Sudan (Juba) and in the United States (Annandale-on-Hudson). The Institute is a registered charity. RVI staff and Fellows are drawn from Eastern and Central Africa, and from Europe, Asia and America. The RVI is an equal-opportunity employer.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications, skills and experience

· Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/Finance) degree

· Master of a professional accounting/administration course will be an added advantage

· At least 3 years working experience in the accounting/finance and administration field

· Advanced written and oral communication skills in English

· Track record of rapid skills acquisition and adaptability

· Knowledge of QuickBooks Accounting Software and Excel would be an added advantage.

DUTIES

Financial accounting and control

· Petty cash administration

· Ensure timely and accurate submission of monthly expenditure reports from RVI global offices, staff and consultants

· Ensure monthly cash counts are undertaken for all RVI petty cash accounts in all RVI offices

· Assist in inputting transactions into the accounting system (QuickBooks Online)

· Maintain and prepare the monthly accounts of expenditure for Nairobi office for submission to the Finance Administrator.

Office administration and finance

· Maintaining inventories of office and field course equipment

· Maintaining inventories of RVI printed publications

· File accounting and corporate documentation in physical and digital form, ensuring all physical documentation is deposited in RVI’s London office

· Assist with ensuring that RVI has correct and appropriate insurance in place

· Ensure all finance and administration deadlines are properly set in the “Daylite” system and reminders are sent to all involved

· Assist in ensuring that RVI meets its financial statutory obligations in Kenya and Somaliland

· Provide logistical support for travel and accommodation arrangements for the Regional Director, Nairobi office and visiting RVI staff and consultants

· Coordinate procurement, including sourcing and purchasing items as requested using the RVI procurement guidelines

· Ensure all office equipment runs properly and is well maintained

· General office support.

Reporting and management lines

The Finance and Administration Officer will report to the RVI Finance Administrator in Nairobi. S/he will undertake the responsibilities described above with additional oversight support from other RVI staff.

Modification to duties

These are the normal duties which the RVI requires at the date of appointment. However, it may be necessary for changes to be made to this job description in accordance with the needs of the job and the organization. Existing duties may be changed and new duties may be added. Any changes will be made only after consultation with you.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Application forms can be found on the RVI website. All submissions require a CV and a cover letter including two references. The deadline for applications is 30 October 2015. Interviews will be held in November 2015. For further information see www.riftvalley.net. Candidates who are nationals of countries in eastern Africa and central Africa (the region where RVI operates), and who have legal residency in Kenya or right to work in Kenya, are strongly encouraged to apply.