Job Description
Job Summary: As the Senior Finance Officer – Projects at CRS Kenya Country Program, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective implementation of the Country Program’s accounting systems, policies, and procedures in alignment with CRS standards, GAAP, donors' regulations, and legal requirements. Your scope encompasses the entire program or specific areas, depending on the portfolio's complexity. You will spearhead Grants Financial Management and Reporting, SR Assessments, conduct SR Monitoring visits, and track ICIP progress, bolstering partner financial management capabilities. Your responsibilities further include timely project closure, reclass entry preparation, managing audits, and facilitating continuous improvement in financial processes. You will also contribute to partner capacity building and maintain open lines of communication with subrecipients, ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures. Roles and Key Responsibilities: Conduct comprehensive assessments of assigned SRs to evaluate their financial capacities in compliance with CRS and donor regulations. Conduct monitoring visits to assigned SRs, ensuring adherence to financial guidelines, and providing support as needed. Track the progress of ICIPs, ensuring alignment with project objectives and financial milestones. Oversee the liquidation process for partners, ensuring accurate and timely completion. Manage the processing of wire/advance transfers to partners. Evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen the capacity of partners in financial accounting and transactions. Provide information to subrecipients and staff on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and contribute to capacity strengthening. Develop and provide status letters to SRs, communicating financial status, compliance issues, and any required actions. Actively engage in Monthly BCR discussions with BMs, providing insights, addressing queries, and ensuring financial alignment with project goals. Lead the development and oversight of cost allocation strategies and calculators for new projects and proposals. Contribute to the business development process by actively participating in budgeting exercises, ensuring financial feasibility and alignment with CRS objectives. Take a leadership role in compiling and preparing donor reports, ensuring strict adherence to compliance standards and accuracy in financial reporting. Lead the process of timely closure for awards and projects, ensuring all financial aspects are appropriately concluded. Lead the preparation and posting of GJs related to liquidations, ensuring financial accuracy and transparency. Manage reclass entries, making necessary adjustments to financial records to reflect accurate and up-to-date information. Actively participate in both project and SR audits, collaborating with auditors and internal teams to ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations. Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives for partners, strengthening their financial management capabilities. Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules for assigned partners, alert relevant budget managers of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate the timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines. Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports for assigned projects and perform variance analysis to assist budget managers with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources. Facilitate effective communication on financial policies and procedural compliance, ensuring understanding and adherence among project stakeholders. Deputise and fill in for the Deputy Finance Manager in his/her absence. Required Languages - Proficiency in oral and written English required Travel - Must be willing and able to travel to partner offices. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred. Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred. Preferred Qualifications: Excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies. Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail. Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics. Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented. Ability to work collaboratively. Supervisory Responsibilities: None Key Working Relationships: Internal : Finance Manager, Deputy Finance Manager – Operations, Projects Finance Officers, Operations Finance Officers, Regional Finance Managers, Regional Finance Officer, Ethics Manager, Budget Managers, relevant Operations staff and program/operations staff. External: Partners, Finance Staff, Public & Private Donors, External Auditors. Qualifications Basic Qualifications : B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent). Minimum of two years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution. Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including gender equality. Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): Agency competencies clarify expected behaviours and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest. Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams. Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things. Agency Leadership Competencies: Lead Change - Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation. Develops and Recognizes Others - Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhances team and agency performance. Strategic Mindset - Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. What we offer: CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting men, women, boys and girls safe from abuse, exploitation, and harm. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, especially those from marginalized and people with disabilities backgrounds Data Protection/Disclaimer: Catholic Relief Services is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection. Recruitment Disclaimer: We wish to notify that CRS does not demand or charge any fee/charges from the aspiring candidates for considering their candidature, or at any time during the recruitment process, nor have we authorized any individual, agency or firm to recruit candidates for us. Any person seeking employment with CRS needs to be cautious and not trust any agency or individual claiming to be our representative and charging fees for providing/securing employment with us. By applying this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect, and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics. About Company General Requirements CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements . All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices. Company Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct. CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.