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Project Accountant: Solutions for African Food Enterprises (SAFE), Kenya

4:21:00 PM

I. TechnoServe Background:

TechnoServe is an international, non-profit economic development organization founded in 1968 out of a conviction that a vibrant private sector is an essential foundation for economic growth and poverty reduction.  TechnoServe undertakes targeted, catalytic technical assistance and other programming to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs, businesses and industries that in-turn provide sustainable employment, inclusion of the poor and increased incomes.  TechnoServe operates in 25 developing countries with over 1000 employees.  A substantial portion of our work is in agriculture, enhancing farm productivity and commodity quality and addressing gaps in processing and other agribusiness capacities.  Our programs increase smallholder access to new technologies, aggregation and storage mechanisms, markets, critical information and finance.  TechnoServe also undertakes structured programs to identify and support high potential entrepreneurs in various sectors through leadership mentoring networks, formalization support, access to capital and development of sustainable business services such as accounting, finance, marketing and human resource management.

II. Program Description:

Solutions for African Food Enterprises (SAFE) is a TechnoServe program in partnership with USAID and Partners in Food Solutions, with the aims of increasing the competitiveness of the African food processing sector and expanding availability of affordable and nutritious foods. Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) is a non-profit organization formed by General Mills to link the technical and business expertise of volunteer employees from General Mills, Cargill, and Royal Dutch DSM. This program provides knowledge and technology transfer to build the capacity of African food processors, improving availability of nutritious foods and creating market opportunities for small holder farmers. This position starts November 1st 2012 and ends November 30th 2016.

III. Position Description:

Provide overall financial and administrative management of the regional SAFE project.  The Accountant will work closely with respective program and country management, as well as TechnoServe’s East Africa and Southern Africa regional teams and headquarters’ finance team.  S/he will be responsible for financial planning and oversight, accurate financial reporting and analysis, and ensuring compliance with organization and donor requirements.
Financial Management and Analysis:
  • Maintain general ledgers, cash books, debtor and creditor ledgers, fixed asset registers and job cost ledgers;
  • Ensure reliability and accuracy of data entered into financial management system;
  • Design project account tracking tools and communicate with country teams and regional team to ensure proper accounting protocol is incorporated;
  • Reconcile statements on a monthly basis to ensure all checks have been accounted for;
  • Ensure SAFE is implemented with sound financial and administrative practices;
  • Timely and accurate receiving and banking of cash and cheques;
  • Coding of invoices, maintenance of records and reconciliation of statements for suppliers and debtors;  
  • Maintenance and filing of accounting records;
  • Preparation of statutory returns including VAT and PAYEE returns;
  • Maintenance of cashbooks and preparation of  payment vouchers;
  • Ensure that all processes and procurements adhere to corporate policy, legal and contractual obligations, and corporate and donor standards;
  • Maintain high levels of confidentiality in relation to sensitive and confidential commercial and business financial decisions and issues;
  • Provide pro-active advice to ensure optimal financial systems and reporting and maintenance of TechnoServe’s accounting policies, financial procedures and guidelines;
  • Reconcile field office due to/from account with headquarters due to/from account;
  • Resolve any discrepancies and errors in a timely manner;
  • Review time sheets to ensure accuracy.
Personnel and Grants Management:
  • Provide overall coordination and quality monitoring of SAFE team’s finances;
  • Work closely with the regional management team and country teams to ensure that project workplans and financial planning are in sync;
  • Share spending analyses and trends with project team members to help synchronize program and financial decision-making processes;
  • Interface with other country, regional, and HQ staff;
  • Ensure financial information is shared and flows transparently within the project team and to other organizational levels, as appropriate;
  • Work with program team to identify financial/administrative needs at both regional and country levels.

IV. Required Skills & Experience:

• Degree qualifications in business, finance, or economic-related studies required;
• Strong financial management and analysis skills;
• Personnel management experience preferred;
• Good understanding of the local legal, labor, procurement, and general human resource laws and policies;
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must;
• Experience with international donors requiring high-levels of reporting data, USAID project experience preferred;
• Ability to contribute to the development of detailed financial reports;
• Proven ability and experience working with teams will be an added advantage;
• Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations; trying different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities;
• Ability to establish a course of action to ensure that work is completed effectively and efficiently to deliver high-quality and on-time results;
• Fluency in English;
• Willingness to be based in Nairobi, ability to travel internationally, and ability to travel to remote rural locations.

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TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women are encouraged to apply.

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