finance officer job opportunity up for grabs!

Fauna & Flora

At Fauna & Flora, our shared purpose is to protect the diversity of life on Earth, for the survival of the planet and its people. We work closely with local conservation partners around the world to save nature, together. We harness this collective expertise to inspire positive change globally.

Africa Programme

Working closely with local partners, Fauna and Flora’s Africa Programme currently supports operations in 13 countries in West, Central, East and Southern Africa, and is implementing a range of projects focused on both terrestrial and marine species and habitat conservation, biodiversity planning, protected area management, institutional development and capacity building, sustainable use and community-focused wildlife management initiatives.

To achieve its mission in Africa, Fauna and Flora uses different approaches to work with and alongside local partners to focus on the sustainable use and management of natural resources as a means to effective conservation in the long-term. In all its projects in Africa, Fauna and Flora seeks to:

• Build and support local partnerships with African conservation and community development organisations;
• Strengthen institutions to bring sustainability and added value to projects;
• Maintain long term presence and relationships;
• Reconcile conservation goals with the needs of local people; and
• Incorporate sound science in decision-making.

Kenya Programme

Fauna and Flora has been championing wildlife conservation in Kenya in some shape or form since our foundation in 1903. Exactly a century later, we opened an office in Nairobi and established a formal country programme, and have been supporting local partners to protect key habitats and species. In particular, we have played a crucial role in establishing a number of wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya that protect wildlife, and increasingly support our partners generate sustainable income from enterprise development that directly fund conservation efforts and support sustainable local livelihoods. Beyond our terrestrial conservation programme, we are also supporting the efforts of communities in the North coast of Kenya to secure greater involvement in the management and husbandry of their marine resources.

The Opportunity

The role will involve working closely with key project partners to maintain financial systems and support financial reporting to ensure timely and accurate financial project reporting, in conformity with specific funder requirements and in accordance with Fauna and Flora policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in facilitating financial processes, maintaining financial systems, and assisting in financial reporting. They will have strong organisational skills and financial management experience, and preferably experience working in the environment and/or development field. They will be a team player, with excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with partner organisations, and to support partner capacity building. They will be self-motivated and committed to producing the highest quality of work.

Terms and Conditions

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: Until March 2028

Probation Period: 6 months

Gross Salary Range: USD 16,625 to USD 17,500

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Benefits: 25 working days’ annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya

Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working 40 hours Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job

Job Description

Job Title: Finance Officer, Partnerships

Reports to: Finance Manager, Kenya

Key working relationships: Grant and Operations Manager, Kenya (Kenya)

Finance Business Partner, East & Southern Africa (UK)

Partnerships Finance Manager (UK)

Grant and Development Manager, East Africa (UK)

Country Manager Kenya Programme (Kenya)

Purpose:

This role will support facilitating financial processes and supporting timely and accurate financial reporting for the project. This will involve working closely with key project partners to support compliance with Fauna and Flora and donor financial guidelines and Fauna and Flora policies and procedures. The role will also support the strengthening of internal systems and procedures for the lead project partner to maintain an effective implementation team that delivers impactful conservation action, on time and within budget.

Specific Duties:

Under the line management of the Finance Manager, Kenya the Finance Officer, Partnerships will have the following responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Assist in financial reporting and fund audits as required for allocated projects
• Checking all expenses are scanned, correct and compliant, with a particular focus on staff time and procurement as the highest risk areas
• Support the maintenance of existing financial systems including but not limited to general expenses processing, travel expense claims processing and income & expenditure records
• Ensure all financial processes for Fauna and Flora and partners are in line with donor requirements and Fauna and Flora policy and procedures
• As delegated, support financial management in month-end procedures and help ensure a strong internal control environment
• Assist in maintenance and update of the fixed assets register for allocated projects within the Fauna and Flora Kenya office
• Support financial processes on Fauna and Flora internal systems such as raising Purchase Orders, uploading fund budgets and transfers
• Produce monthly fund financial reports for the project funds and flag any discrepancies to the fund managers
• Keep a track of Fauna and Flora timesheet charges on all allocated project funds and ensure that staff time is fully charged in time for donor financial reporting, liaising with Programme Manager (Operations and Compliance), Africa to ensure all timesheet trackers for funds are up to date and being followed
• Oversee the maintenance of an accurate and updated cash flow report for the projects and provide monthly updates on this to the Finance Manager, Kenya
• Support cash flow management and banking by carrying out bank errands including withdrawals, deposits and bank instructions
• Support the procurement and purchasing of office supplies and equipment and materials needed for project activities
• Review fund records retention system and develop a financial database for the project.
• Maintain an organised, well-documented and sequential filing system for invoices, payments and all other relevant financial documents for the project.
• Facilitate travel for staff visiting the project or undertaking fieldwork or meetings, in terms of cashflow availability and supplier payments.
• Assist in Fauna and Flora Kenya institutional budget development.

Partner Support

• Support partner capacity assessment and capacity building with regard to financial management, systems and donor guidelines by supporting the developing standard financial tools, templates, checklists and guidance for partners
• Support fund audits as required by ensuring partner supporting documents are in alignment with the partner financial reports
• Support partners to maintain an appropriate fixed asset register for the project

Other

• Undertake international travel to project sites, if required.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with skills and experience as requested by the Finance Manager, Kenya.

Person Specification

Essential

Skills

• Excellent financial management and numeracy skills, including budgeting, re-forecasting and financial reporting
• Strong organisational skills, with structured and methodical approach to work
• Excellent interpersonal skills, specifically ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with partner organisations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook and Excel
• Fluency in English and Swahili (spoken and written)

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Minimum three years’ experience supporting grant management, compliance and the responsible management of donor funds
• Proven experience providing support in financial management of high-value grants (budgets totaling in excess of 500,000 €/USD pa)
• Undergraduate degree in a finance-related discipline

Desirable

• CPA professional qualification
• Experience of working with statutory funding
• Experience working with government agencies, communities and community-based organisations, partner NGOs and for-profit entities
• Experience working within a geographically dispersed team
• Experience working in the environment/conservation or development field

Behavioural qualities

Essential

• Excellent team player
• Self-motivated and output driven, committed to producing the highest quality of work
• Flexible and adaptable in uncertain and changeable work situations
• Rigorous and diligent approach to work
• Commitment to FFI’s Values

Other

• Entitlement to live and work in Kenya (without employee sponsorship)

Fauna & Flora Values

Values underpin who we are and how we act. Just as values shape who we are as individuals, they define us as an organisation, creating the culture of success for which Fauna & Flora is renowned. Our people exemplify our shared values, which are interconnected and interdependent:

• We act with integrity
• We are collaborative
• We are committed
• We are inclusive, supportive & respectful
• We get things done

How to apply

Applications should consist of the following:

• Covering letter explaining why you are applying, relating your experience and skills to the role
• Full CV
• Contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission)

Applications should be submitted electronically to kenyajobs@fauna-flora.org

Please mark your application ‘Finance Office, Partnerships’ and indicate in your covering letter where you saw the position advertised.

The closing date for applications is 7th January 2024 Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 29th January 2024.

No agencies please.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Applicants with Disabilities

Fauna & Flora encourages applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application, please contact Patrick Lelei, on Tel: 0715 795359 or Email: Patrick.Lelei@fauna-flora.org

Fauna & Flora values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity