Vacancy Number: PA/BI/06/2012
Department: Bio-Innovate
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 2-year with possibility of renewal
Bio-resource Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) seeks to recruit a highly competent and dynamic Project Accountant.
The Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Program is a newly established multidisciplinary competitive funding mechanism, for biosciences and product oriented innovation activities in Eastern Africa, through the bioresources innovation fund, supporting applications for regional, multi-disciplinary innovation projects in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The Bio-Innovate niche is characterized by a focus on the applications of bio-resource innovations, to support sustainable growth and transformation of the agricultural and environmental sub-sectors, from primary production to value addition, while enhancing adaptability to climatic change and strengthening innovation policy.
With an increased number of Bio-Innovate’s managed sub-contracts (57), there is need to enhance program fund management to minimize financial risks associated with managing multiple partners. This must be enhanced both at the secretariat and at the project sites levels through continued monitoring and evaluation activities.
The reporting is done on a bi-annual basis in which case the reports from sub grantees are consolidated into the head office reports for subsequent reporting to the donor. The financial reports with the original hard copies of the support documents are sent directly to the Program Management Office (PMO) at ILRI. These undergo rigorous verification processes to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, generally accepted accounting principles and applicable International Accounting Standards. The Assistant Finance Officer is expected assist in enhancing program’s fund management both at the secretariat and projects levels.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who desire to professionally grow while concretely contributing to the program’s goals and objectives.
Duties and responsibilities:
The project accountant officer will assist the finance and administration officer in:
- Ensuring timely disbursement of funds to partner institutions in line with contractual requirements for timely execution of project activities;
- Follow up with partner institutions for timely submission of periodic financial reports in line contractual requirements;
- Review of financial reports and accompanying documentation from partner institutions for accuracy and compliance with contractual terms;
- Provision of feedback on any follow up issues resulting from the review of periodic reports to ensure that outstanding issues are addressed;
- Ensuring that partner liquidated expenses are accurately captured into ILRI’s accounting system (SUN) to facilitate consolidation of secretariat and projects level reports for subsequent reporting to the donors;
- Review of internal transactions within ILRI charged to the program for accuracy and allow ability in line with contractual terms;
- Provision of technical support within Bio-Innovate Program Management Office (PMO)
- Provision technical support to partner institutions on projects’ fund management issues;
- Maintaining an effective filing system for financial and related documents for document retention, ease of reference and retrieval;
- Facilitation of program’s external audits through ILRI’s financial framework;
- Managing the administrative and contractual matters associated with the sub contracted partner institutions;
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in business and CPA (K) or equivalent;
- Prior experience with regards to liquidation of partner advances, suggesting corrective measures for improved quality of fund program fund management and donor financial reporting;.
- Good teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills to be effective in a diverse environment.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines;
- Working knowledge of SUN accounting system is an added advantage;
- Flexible and quick learner.
Terms of appointment: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 2-year renewable contract subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Job level and salary: This position is job Grade 2C, with a starting gross salary of KES 116,417 per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided by ILRI.
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV combined as one document explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be submitted online to the Human Resources Director at: http://www.myjobsinkenya.com/ilri_jobs. Closing date for Applications is 30 June 2012.
The position title and reference number: “PA/BI/06/2012” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email applications. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
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