Vacancy: Programme Accountant (1 Post)- Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)

May 2, 2022

REF. HR/04/2022

ABOUT MESPT
Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) was established in 2002 by the Government of Kenya and European Union. EU later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) through a Trust Deed of 2013.

The Trust is a development organization with a purpose to grow small holder farmers and Agri SMEs to increase productivity, incomes and enhance competitiveness for job creation especially for youth and women. This is achieved through capacity building which includes skills development, technical support, business advisory, financial and market linkages.

Our focus is to facilitate support and provision of integrated financial and business development services for small holder farmers and Agri SMEs in Kenya. This is aimed at enabling beneficiaries to access finance, increase agricultural productivity, agro-processing, and access markets/ trade opportunities. For over a decade, MESPT has partnered with development agencies, donors, and investors to build the capacity of the business services sector and the agricultural sector in Kenya through a unique tripartite business model that links Farmers, Agri- SMEs, and Financial Institutions – creating linkages along value chains.

We pride ourselves for successfully implementing 12 agriculture-based Programmes that have seen us facilitate creation of 70,000 decent jobs at various levels of the agriculture market systems. We have also cumulatively disbursed KES 6.4 billion to financial institutions and over 250,000 end users have accessed finance.
For further information kindly visit our website www.mespt.org

Vacant Position
As part of its development programme, MESPT is seeking to engage a highly committed, results-oriented, self-driven professional with excellent financial management skills to ensure the successful delivery of the organizations financial objectives and targets.

Job Purpose

This position is responsible and accountable for the programme budget and expenditure, preparation of the accurate financial statements of the programme activities to provide an accurate picture of the organizations financial position and operating performance, monthly, quarterly, annually and/or at any given specific point in time, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), statutory, organizational, or other external reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Control

Review and verify all invoices /payment programme vouchers for approval of payment. Review and verify all transactions posted into sub ledgers for all the programs.
Prepare the general ledger and run the trial balance to confirm accuracy of the general ledger. Remit statutory deductions and taxes including but not limited to corporate tax, VAT, PAYE, withholding tax for all the programme activities.
Review and verify bank reconciliations and supplier accounts for programme activities.
Ensure adherence to internal controls, organizational policies, donor, and statutory regulations for all the program activities.
Maintain Asset register and conduct asset verification exercise
Carry out monthly inter-project reconciliation for all the program activities.

Financial Systems

Ensure effective management of Navision ERP line with approved project plans.
Ensure effective filing, manual or electronic for all documentation
Ensure configuration of the report set up in Navision
Updating of MESPT programme budgets in Navision

Risk Management

Co-ordinate, the risk management function including compilation of the risk register for the activities.

Budgeting

Work with respective managers to develop operations annual and interim budgets.
Confirm that proposed budgets adhere to organizational, donor, statutory and professional guidelines.
Review the individual budgets and consolidate budgets to create the overall institutional budget for Board of Trustees approval.

Implementing Partner Reviews, Internal and External Audits

Plan for partner reviews, Internal and External audits for all the programs activities
Address issues raised in draft reports and management letters and give responses in terms of program activities.
Undertake corrective and preventive actions identified by partner reviews and audits, investigations, or other assessment mechanisms within the agreed time frame in all the program activities.

Monitoring and Reporting

Prepare monthly Financial Accounts and Management reports for review
Discuss the reports with the respective managers to understand the reasons for any variance and document the same.

Policy, Procedure and Controls

Develop procedures aligned to approved policies, ensure compliance, and effect controls and sensitize program staff on the financial & budgeting policies and procedures.
Ensure all financial controls are put in place and monitor the same.
Conduct staff sensitization sessions periodically to keep staff abreast of policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Finance/Audit
Experience in using financial software
Solid Knowledge of Financial and accounting procedures
Excellent understanding of Financial ERP system
Excellent knowledge of IFRS and its application and International Accounting Standards (IAS)
Experience of handling financial projects in Agribusiness will be an added advantage
Knowledge of financial Regulations
Self‐motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
Expertise in analyzing data using statistical software’s
Good analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven capability to provide gainful insight, practical and pragmatic solutions to programme challenges with a bias towards action and resolving issues quickly
Excellent communication and report writing skills.
Highly organized individual in planning activities and tracking activity implementation.

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

A minimum of bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Related Field from an Accredited Institution of Higher Learning
CPA (K) holder or equivalent professional qualification
Professional Certification in Risk Management will be an added advantage
Knowledge on Monitoring and Evaluation will be an added advantage.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access,) and statistical related packages

Behaviour

Unquestionable integrity, confidentiality, and respect
Have a sense of urgency and attention to detail
Ability to accept accountability, results oriented approach to achievement of objectives
Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively
Positive, energetic self-starter with a high level of personal drive and resilience.
Ability to work both independently, efficiently, and effectively as well as in collaboration with people at various levels and from different backgrounds
Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication, and presentation skills
Strong influencing and conflict resolution skills
Excellent organizational, planning and execution skills
Strong Commercial Acumen – appreciation of budgeting and financial management, and strategic thinking

How to Apply:

Qualified and interested applicants should send their application letters indicating their current/last remuneration, detailed CV with email address, daytime telephone contacts, names, and email contacts of 3 professional referees, 2 must have supervised you at some point, with one being your most recent supervisor to recruitment@mespt.org quoting Job Reference and Job Title in the subject line.

The applicant must legally be eligible to live and work full time in Kenya.

Please do not send certificates at this stage.

Deadline for applications 5th May 2022 at 5.00 pm EAT.
MESPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and committed to Gender Equity and Diversity.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For full details on the job description see; https://mespt.org/career/