Finance Officer - Nile Basin Initiative

Organization: Nile Basin Initiative

Post Title: Finance Officer

Post Level: Regional

Organizational Unit: Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP)

Project: Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Basin Trans-boundary Integrated Water Resources Management and Development project

Duty Station: Kakamega, Kenya

Expected Starting date: August 2011

Duration: One year (6 months probation period), with possibility of extension

Reports to: Project Manager

Reference: NELSAP-IP-003-11

Deadline: 15th July 2011

Background

The Nile Basin Initiative [NBI] is a partnership of the riparian states of the Nile comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Eritrea is participating as an observer.

The NBI seeks to develop the river Nile in a cooperative manner, share substantial socioeconomic benefits, and promote regional peace and security to achieve its shared vision of “sustainable socio-economic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources”.

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has received a Grant from Sida, Norway and World Bank through the Nile Basin Trust Fund (NBTF) towards the cost of implementation of the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Basin Transboundary Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP). Kenya and Uganda countries participate and benefit under the project.

The NELSAP Regional Coordination Unit now seeks to recruit competent nationals from either Kenya or Uganda – the two NBI participating countries in this Project to the position of Finance Officer.

Main Duties

The Finance Officer shall directly report to the Project Manager for all functions and duties of the project. He/she, however, shall be responsible to the NELSAP Finance and Administration Manager for technical guidance.

The functions and responsibilities for the post-holder will include the following amongst others:

* Provide advice and support to the Project Manager on all finance matters, including procurement and logistics issues.
* Ensure compliance with NBI/Donor financial regulations and procedures.
* Undertake financial management functions at the Project Management Unit.
* Maintain a common, computerized financial management/accounting system at the Project Management Unit that is in compliance with and consistence with that at the Nile Basin Secretariat.
* Monitor, analyze and operationalize the financial transactions through a computerized financial environment.
* In consultation with the Project Manager, design and prepare project cost projections for the year’s expenditures in order to make accurate delivery projections and realistic budgets.
* Maintain financial records and accounts in a format and manner consistent with the International Accounting Standards (IASs).
* Prepare, produce and submit monthly, quarterly and annual accounts and reports to the NELSAP Finance and Administration Manager and the Project Manager in an acceptable format/ design.
* Manage routine correspondence on finance matters
* Initiate the process for procurement of an external auditor and ensure that the procured auditor is enabled to carry out proper examination of the project structures, accounts and systems.
* Respond to all observations that are raised by external auditors for better management of the project and for strengthening internal control systems.
* Operationalize disbursement procedures in accordance with program and project agreements
* Maintain proper assets/stores inventory, filing and recording systems, logistics and operations of the project.
* Any other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Project Manager

Qualifications and Experience

The appropriate candidate shall meet the following qualifications and experience requirements:

* University degree in finance, accounting or business administration.
* Possession of professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, CPA awarded by accountancy bodies accredited to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) will be an added advantage
* At least five years of working experience in accounting, financial management and logistics in an international/donor organization or public (government) sector.
* Experience and knowledge of Sida or World Bank procedures will be an added advantage.
* Efficient and up-to-date computer knowledge in all MS and window-based applications including excel, word and at least one relevant accounting software package.
* Excellent oral and written English.
* Experience working in Africa, particularly the Nile Basin countries

Nature and Duration of Appointment

The Finance Officer will be based at the Project Management Unit located in Kakamega, Kenya but shall be travelling in the Nile Equatorial Lakes Region in accordance with Program needs and funding availability.

Contract duration will be for 1 year with a possibility of annual extensions to the end of the project, based on the performance, need of the services and availability of funding. NBI offers a competitive salary package commensurate with the qualifications and experience.

Recruitment

This position will be recruited competitively based on advertisement in regional newspapers. The position is open to candidates from the two Nile Basin participating countries (Kenya and Uganda). Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants are invited to send a cover letter and full CV including date of birth and nationality by July 15th, 2011, to email: nelcu@nilebasin.org or to address below:

NBI/NELSAP
P.O. Box 6759 Kigali Rwanda
Inyota House
Plot 1957, Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Kacyiru
Fax : +250 0252 580100 Tel : + 250 0788307334
E-mail :nelcu@nilebasin.org.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.