Back Finance and Grants Officer - AQCESS Project

Job title: Finance & Grants Officer

Reporting to: The Project Manager – AQCESS

Duration: 6 Months

I. Background:

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, development agency promoting creative solutions to problems that impede social development. AKF (East Africa) seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, literacy and health, with a special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in coastal and other resource-poor areas. AKF(EA) works in five sectors including Health, Education, Early Childhood Development, Rural Development and Civil Society enhancement. Over the last several years, AKF (EA)’s programmes have evolved and expanded in response to government policies, beneficiary demand and assessment of needs. In order to optimise AKF (EA)’s efficiency and effectiveness as a development actor in the region, it seeks to support and improve innovations that create viable solutions to community problems that impede development.

Through its MERL Unit, the CoEWCH also supports the monitoring, evaluation, research and learning of the Access to quality care through extending and strengthening health systems (AQCESS) project, which is implemented in Kilifi and Kisii Counties in Kenya. The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada, and executed by Aga Khan Foundation, Canada in partnership with members of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The project in Kenya is implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation, East Africa in partnership with sister organizations in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) including Aga Khan Health Services and Aga Khan University.

II. Job Purpose

Finance & Grants Officer will take overall responsibility for annual AQCESS budget planning, financial management, grants compliance and reporting at the field level, as well as reporting to AKFC and coordinating with AKF (EA) on AQCESS financial matters.

III. Key responsibilities:

Based in Nairobi, the Finance & Grants Officer will maintain the overall financial accounting and reporting system for AQCESS in the field, including internal controls and financial risk management. The Finance Officer will also assist AKDN implementing partners to manage and report on their project funding according to donor and AKF requirements and coordinate with staff at AKF (EA).

In collaboration with AKF (EA) and project teams from the implementing partners, including additional grantees when they are identified, the Finance & Grants Officer will work with the rest of AQCESS Team to carry out the following:

1. Reporting

• Review and ensure that all the AQCESS grant financial reports are prepared and submitted on timely basis, accurate and in line with the Donor requirements.
• Ensure that all the supporting documentation required is in order before the consolidated report is sent out.
• Consolidate all the financial information and forward the report to AKFC on a mothly/quarterly basis or as may be required.
• Generate financial analyses on periodical basis on the grant financial information that will provide management with information for decision making

2. Internal Audits and reviews:

Coordinate with the implementing units at least once every month for internal reviews and checks.

3. Cash flow management:

Review funding Requests/projections from the implementing agencies and manage the disbursement of the funds to the various agencies in consultation with the AKF EA Regional office.

4. Capacity building (Training and Support):

Where applicable, the finance and grant officer will be expected to conduct on a continuous basis trainings and offer support to the finance officers in the various agencies in regard to the AQCESS grant.

5. Liaison with AKFC:

The Finance & Grants Officer will be the liaison person with AKFC finance team regarding the AQCESS finance issues.

IV. Required Qualifications and Experience:

The Finance & Grants Officer should meet the following criteria in terms of qualifications, technical competencies, and experience:

• Education in a relevant field, such as accounting or business administration
• Final level of a professional accounting designation program (CPA, CMA, CGA, ACCA)
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant practical experience
• Experience working with NGOs and donor-funded projects
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks, knowledge in accounting ERP software such as SCALA software or similar accounting system
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and understand financial statements
• Demonstrated excellent time management and organizational skills
• Proven ability to gather, analyze and translate data, compile information, and meet strict reporting deadlines
• Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring a financial risk management framework including effective internal controls
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English
• Ability to work with office software applications, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

V. Other Competencies

• Capacity to multi-task, work independently, take initiative and manage a variety of activities simultaneously, working with multiple stakeholders across cultural and geographical boundaries
• Dynamic, flexible, and entrepreneurial
• Willingness to travel to project locations within East Africa.
• Experience with CIDA and other bilateral donors is an asset
• Experience with project close out procedures will be an added advantage
• Experience with multi-year projects
• Strong proficiency in analysis , knowledge of accounting principles and practices, attention to detail and accuracy.
• Very good with Microsoft office applications especially Excel including advanced Excel