Jobs – Programme Accountant needed at AMREF

AMREF is the largest indigenous health development non-governmental organization based in Africa. Working with and through African communities, health systems and governments, AMREF aims to close the gap that prevents people from accessing their basic right to health.

AMREF is headquartered in Nairobi, and has programmes in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, South Africa and West Africa. Employing over 800 staff and with an annual operating budget of approximately $70 million, AMREF is a knowledge resource for donors and partners.

• Prepare annual budgets for projects by determining funds available for the budget, determining activities scheduled for the year and their cost and translating these to operational budgets and in the AMREF format.
• Prepare budgets for new proposals and monitor them against performance.
• Monitor Cash balances per project.
• Continuously mentor Assistant Programme Accountants and interns to prepare quality donor reports, guidance in finance policies and procedures and interpretation of the SOP’s.
• On a month by month basis, review the performance of all Cost Centers with a view to improvement and clean ups.
• Attend and address customer care needs by handling any emerging complaints from programme staff and suppliers.
• Document Tracker Monitoring on a daily basis to ensure they are processed within the stipulated time as per the SLA.
• Make sure that all Purchase Requisitions are approved and processed without undue delay and that they fall within budget limits and work plan.
• Offer operational technical support to the projects especially the Project Managers on expenditure management including: Short-term action plans and expenditure scheduling, Processing, approval and coding of expenditure (claims, imprests, surrenders, field office returns and purchase requisitions) and internal recoveries in accordance with approved work plans and budgets.
• Organize regular review meetings with Programme Manager and Project Managers to resolve and discuss various financial and accounting issues and queries.
• Prepare periodic budgetary control statements to determine financial performance of the relevant Programme and individual projects within the Programme.
  Prepare and compile donor financial statements and reports and call down requests as specified in the respective grant agreements and other internal financial reports.
• Source for funds by identification of project funding needs and gaps and recommendation of action plans regarding the same.
• Prepare monthly progress report to the management on project funding status and cash management.
• Assist with systematic and ad-hoc analysis of project costs as a basis for evaluation, budgeting and operational research studies.
• Seek ways to improve timeliness and quality of service provided by finance and assist in systems improvement.
• Actively participate in internal audits as scheduled and in external audits by providing auditors with accounting documents as requested and providing explanations for audit queries.
• Review of monthly income and expenditure statements with project Managers.
• Attend Tender committee meeting and Evaluations.
• Attend Interviews during recruitments.
• Perform any other duties delegated from time to time by management.

• The ideal candidate must hold an MBA in finance or closely related area an added advantage.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance or a closely related area.
• Possession of a Professional qualification CPA (U), ACCA, finance or closely related area.
• Practical experience in project, financial and management accounting.
• Computer literacy skills
• At least three years’ experience preferably in an NGO setting.
• Past exposure and experience in SUN Systems Accounting software.
• Possess the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Highly flexible in handling work assignments and ability to perform under pressure.
• Exhibit commitment to quality and thoroughness.
• High degree of integrity and confidentiality.
• Empathy.
• Commitment to quality and thoroughness.
• Non-judgmental approach in human relations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and management of Conflict in the workplace, communication skills both written and verbal, influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills and be computer literate.
• Possess the ability to work in automated Human Resource Management Information System will be a definite advantage.

Deadline: Friday 18th April 2014