Job Title: Finance Assistant, Action Against Hunger-USA

September 23, 2022

About us

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in more than 50 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages programs in 7 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA implements more than $60 million in programs annually, and approximately 1,500 permanent employees based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

In Kenya, Action Against Hunger has been present in Kenya since 2001 and is a transformative leader in nutrition security for improved quality of life among vulnerable communities. Action Against Hunger wants to contribute to the optimal functional performance of National, County, and Community systems through strategic partnerships for innovative nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions to achieve its impact. The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards the realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, WASH and surveillance interventions. Action Against Hunger is currently implementing activities in West Pokot, Mandera, and, Isiolo counties.

Job Description

Action Against Hunger, Kenya Country Office is looking to fill the position of Finance Assistant based in the Nairobi Office. The position holder is a key member of the finance team. He /She will play a pivotal role in supporting the mission in assuring adherence to financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. He/ She will provide accounting and financial analysis. capacity support to the Base admins and will ensure the submission of Base financial reports based on internal deadlines. This position entails working with program officers, and logistic officers to ensure compliance with all accounting and financial reporting functions. The individual is also responsible for supporting Internal reporting including internal budget monitoring. This position will work collaboratively with the finance team at the Nairobi office as well as the program team.

The Finance Officer’s role has the following purpose, engagement and delivery:

Purpose

The role will support in preparation and documentation of the financial transactions of the mission. H/She will support in tracking monthly expenditure, advance, forecasting tools as well as the review and analysis of monthly accountancy before submission.

Engagement

The position holder will work collaboratively to ensure the issuing of accountancy bundles is timely, accurate, and complete. S/he will work with all staff in order to improve knowledge and awareness with respect to budget utilization, policies, internal control policies and procedures.

S/he will build and maintain a collaborative network with various external stakeholders such as local government and non-governmental partners.

Delivery

the role will support in ensuring the financial data accuracy, effective and efficient utilization of resources in line with the Organizational and financial management policies and procedures as well as the donor policies and guidelines. S/he will support in ensuring the organization is compliant by making sure various accounting and tax regulations are adhered to.

S/he will promote high standards of integrity and accountability in the utilization of organizational resources.

Essential job functions

Objective 1: MANAGEMENT OF THE FINANCES OF THE MISSION

Activity 1: General Finance:

To ensure proper implementation of Action Against Hunger’s financial rules and procedures.
Record all working advances in the advance book and follow up on their clearance by staff on a timely basis.
To ensure that each cash & bank transaction is justified by an appropriate invoice/receipt, and to ensure the quality of receipts (name, patent no., stamp, description, date, amount, etc.)
Responsible for proper & regular filing of all finance documents at the Mission.
Support the VAT refund documentation preparation process.

Activity 2: Budget Management

Support the monthly Budget Follow-Up (BFU) meetings at the Nairobi level and aggregate feedback from all bases to Nairobi Finance office for follow-up and action.
Ensure that correct budget lines are used for each activity & expense- link to Procurement Follow Up(PFU) and BFU

Activity 3: Cash & Bank Management:

To ensure respect for Action Against Hunger’s finance procedures and Cash Management Policy at the Mission level.
Ensure Mission expenditures are in line with the approved cash forecast, analyse discrepancy between actual expenditures and cash forecast

Activity 4: SAGA:

Record all transactions in the SAGA cashbook in full respect of internal saga rules. This cashbook & bank book must be updated on a daily basis to be able to verify the physical bank & cash balance at any time.
Ensure that correct budget lines are used for each activity & expense- link to PFU and BFU

Supervisory Responsibilities

III. Fiscal Responsibility

Monthly accountancy and supporting documentation

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable a accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the country offices if appropriate. Based on the country office needs, the time spent on field trips will be determined on a need basis. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

Foster an environment that reinforces the values of women and men, and equal access to information.
Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
Value and respect all cultures.

Requirements

VII. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

Degree in business related Field: Finance/Accounting/Professional qualification of CPA will be added advantage

VIII. Required Skills & Competencies

Excellent analytical and writing skills.
Problem Solver.
Compatibility for both independence and teamwork.
Persuasive and confident communicator, able to deal with senior colleagues throughout the organization.
Persistence and assertiveness combined with tact and diplomacy
1-3 years’ experience in a busy organization or Non-profit organization
Demonstrated flexibility and or adaptability.
Excellent organizational and planning skills
Good writing skills. Good management and representation skills.
Good interpersonal skills
Strong leadership skills
Ability to work in a high pressured environment