CBM Project Accountant

Job Designation: Project Accountant

Contract Duration: 2 years renewable

Location: Nairobi, CBM Regional Office

Contract start: Immediate opening (Position open to Kenyans only)

Background:

CBM is an international Christian development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. With the support from Seeing is Believing (SiB), a collaboration between Standard Chartered Bank and International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and in partnership with Sightsavers and Fred Hollows Foundation, CBM is seeking to recruit a Project Accountant.

I. Structure of Authority:

The incumbent will report to the SiB Regional Program Manager for East Africa in Nairobi.

II. Mandated Aims:

Reporting to the SiB Program Manager in Nairobi, Kenya, the SiB Project Accountant is the primary financial and operational officer of the SiB Child Eye Health (ChEH) program. The CBM SiB Project Accountant is responsible for ensuring that the SiB ChEH program operational and financial functions support the timely and effective implementation of the project’s technical scope of work. With the SiB Regional Program Manager (SiB RPM), s/he ensures that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and CBM’s standards and procedures. The SiB Project Accountant, as part of the CBM SiB management team under the direction of the SiB RPM, plays a representational role with partners and stakeholders as well as with clients and suppliers in relation to areas under his/her responsibility. As needed, s/he contributes to the training provided to implementing entities and partners in the development and management of sound financial management systems. In coordination with the SiB RPM s/he liaises with CBM regional office regarding any aspects of project implementation related to finance and operations. The SiB program aims at contributing to improved child eye health and the reduction of avoidable blindness amongst children in East Africa It incorporates health system strengthening, clinical service delivery, equipping eye units, training, awareness creation and advocacy.

III. Core Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for: 1. Ensuring that the SiB operational and financial functions support the timely and effective implementation of the project’s technical scope of work; 2. S/he ensures that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and CBM’s standards and procedures; 3. Plays a representational role with partners and stakeholders as well as with clients and suppliers in relation to areas under his/her responsibility; 4. As needed, s/he contributes to the training provided to implementing entities and partners in the development and management of sound financial management systems; 5. S/he liaises with CBM Regional Office regarding any aspects of project implementation related to finance and operations;

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

1. Financial management In consultation with CBM regional staff, SiB RPM, consortium and implementing partners, support annual planning process and monitoring of expenditure against these, analysing and advising the SiB RPM on financial trends, compliance, etc. Specifically:- • Support the SiB ChEH budgeting system at all stages from program design and planning through implementation and monitoring; • Ensure respective country/partner budgets and quarterly financial forecasts adhere to approved activities; • Assist the SiB ChEH RPM in consolidating budgets and in containing expenditures within parameters; • Maintaining financial systems to enable the smooth and effective functioning of the SiB ChEH program; • Ensuring accounts procedures are adhered to and that accounting standards are met by partners; • Provide reports, analysis and recommendations on the project’s current and projected financial and operational status; • Maintaining the petty cash book and cashbook; and preparing cash and bank reconciliation statements and adjusting journals; • Training finance staff of implementing partners in protocols, procedures, rules and regulations and ensuring that partners have accurate and timely transaction entry and reporting as well as maintenance and filing of supporting documentation;
2. Grant management: Develop grant management checklist and monitor SiB ChEH program partners’ compliance to the terms and conditions of grant as per donor requirements and CBM internal policies and regulations. Specifically:- • Develop and administer strict guidelines for control of the program financial and material resources. • Conduct periodic monitoring visits to country/partner offices to verify compliance with donor requirements and internal controls and procedures; • Establish a continuous and appropriate cash flow to ensure the existence of available funds and that all payments are made in a timely manner; • Ensure that all local laws and tax regulations are strictly adhered to and that taxes are paid to the tax authorities as prescribed by law; • Responsible for complying with internal audits by CBM and external audits by the donor or government as required;
3. Operational Management: Provide overall logistics and operations support required for the success of the program. Specifically:- • Working in close coordination with the RPM, handle all requests for payments/disbursements to partners, ensuring these are adequately approved as per established guidelines and that adequate documentation is on hand; • Ensure the proper use, maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment; • Responsible for all purchases for goods and services in accordance with CBM regional policies and the needs of the project; • Ensures the compliance with all enforceable statutory laws; • Within guidelines and areas of work agreed upon with the Regional Director, Chief Operations Officer and Senior Accountant, to draft correspondence relating to accounting work; • Other tasks assigned by the Regional Project Manager;
4. Additional / Stretch Duties: In addition to the responsibilities outlined in section IV above, the incumbent will upon instruction by his / her superior (s), perform ad hoc activities which are either by their nature related to his / her normal duties or evolve from operational requirements. These may include but not be limited to: • To be available as a potential member of regional Teams of Competence regarding finance /accounting matters;

IV. Professional Profile and Requirement

Qualifications: • Work experience in similar field, particularly with international NGO or international development organization; • Experience managing sub-agreements or sub-contracts in the health or humanitarian sectors is preferred; • Professional qualifications in accounting an advantage (CPA-K, ACCA, CIMA); • Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration and Management.;

Competencies and Skills • Computer literate and familiar with use of spreadsheets and computerized accounting packages; • Good in written and spoken English; • Ability to develop and maintain accounting systems which handle large amounts of information; • An effective team player who is also able to work with independently; • Effective co-ordination and communication skills; • Competency in working with partners and managing multiple disbursements; • Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines; • Ability to integrate into a multi-cultural environment; • Reflects CBM values in daily work; • Ability and willingness to learn, and to pass on information / train as required; • Ability to spend 30%- 50% of his/her time in the field to support partners;

CBM is a Christian organisation. The future job holder adheres to CBM beliefs as well as values and commits to CBM’s Child Protection Policy.

CBM encourages persons with disabilities to apply for this position.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience are invited to submit, via e-mail (max 2MB), CV (max 4 pages) and a cover letter clearly stating three professional references, availability, current and expected salary to recruit@cbmi-nbo.org

Deadline: 26th April 2013

How to apply:

CBM is a Christian organisation. The future job holder adheres to CBM beliefs as well as values and commits to CBM’s Child Protection Policy.

CBM encourages persons with disabilities to apply for this position.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience are invited to submit, via e-mail (max 2MB), CV (max 4 pages) and a cover letter clearly stating three professional references, availability, current and expected salary to recruit@cbmi-nbo.org

Immediate opening (Position open to Kenyans only)

Deadline: 26th April 2013