FINANCE OFFICER
WHO WE ARE
Nyanam is a restorative justice organization that prepares widows and their children to lead positive community transformation through integrated leadership, health, livelihoods, human rights justice and youth education programs. Our work alleviates widowhood poverty, mitigates the impact of HIV/AIDS, and gives widows the tools to tackle oppressive cultural, economic, and social practices that undermine widows’ dignity and limit their agency.
Position Title: Finance Officer
Reports to: Operations and Administrative Manager
Location: Kisumu, with frequent fieldwork in Kisumu and Siaya
Position Type: Full Time
MAIN RESPONSIBILITY
The Finance Officer will oversee organizational financial health, ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the mission. S/he should also provide timely, accurate, and efficient accounting, budgeting, and financial management support for all programs. This position is critical to the organization's finance department.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Review and strengthen Nyanam's financial systems (policies, procedures and structures)
Manage and oversee implementation of the Nyanam’s financial system
Assist with timely financial planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising areas of control.
Review and strengthen Nyanam's financial templates for proper record-keeping
Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders (donors, board, regulatory bodies), ensuring compliance with accounting standards and legal requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard assets, mitigate financial risks, prevent fraud, and identify and mitigate financial risks. Continuously review the finance risk and mitigating controls to ensure that emerging risks are being addressed.
Monitor and manage the organization's cash flow to ensure sufficient funds are available for operations. Provide operational support to program managers on expenditure management to include:
(a) Short-term action plans and expenditure scheduling
(b) Processing, approvals and coding expenditure (claims, imprest, surrenders, field activity returns and purchase requisitions) and internal recoveries following approved work plans and budgets
(c) Regular review meetings with program managers to resolve and discuss various financial and accounting issues and queries
(d) Preparation of periodic budgetary control statements to determine the financial performance of the relevant Program and individual projects within the programs
(e) Provide financial and technical support to program field teams as requested
Per the organisation's policies and procedures, verify supportive financial documents for all expenditures, including vouchers, receipts, invoices, requisitions, delivery notes, LPOs, and committal documents.
Develop and manage budgets, forecast financial needs, and ensure alignment with strategic goals. Prepare an annual operational budget for the organization, determining activities scheduled for the year and their costs and translating these to an operational budget in Nyanam International format. Ensure budget control by adequately checking all costs.
Prepare management and partner financial and expenditure reports per management and donor guidelines. Prepare monthly progress reports on program funding status and cash management for management.
Keenly, tactically, and correctly capture monthly payroll adjustments, process salaries on a monthly basis, and provide staff with pay slips on time. Provide a leading role in ensuring relevant staff prepares timesheets every month. Filing of payroll statutory deductions and payments.
Review and strengthen Nyanam budget codes, including those for donors, projects, and accounting, and ensure all expenditures align with the budget. To control program overspending, ensure spending is within the budget limit. Review field financial documents regularly to ascertain the level of internal controls in the financial process. Continuously monitor budget commitments for programs and advise Program Managers on any significant occurrences.
Review the fixed asset register, including depreciation, annually. Ensure compliance with the government regarding taxation.
Ensure service agreements are correctly executed and filed to justify payments.
Reinforce financial data confidentiality and conduct database back-ups as necessary.
Manage balance sheets and profit and loss statements and reconcile accounts payable and receivable. Conducted end-year accounts and reconciliations to ensure that balances were reported accurately and year-end entries were accurate.
Prepare and submit annual financial returns to the NGO board, including developing annual financial reports and other related materials for the annual NGO board returns. Develop annual financial reports, including bank reconciliations.
Conduct internal audit financial transactions on external audits, ensure the audit process runs smoothly by providing accurate information on time, and ensure that no costs are questioned. Ensure grants finance issues picked during the audit and recommendations are implemented per policy.
Contribute to creating awareness to implementing staff/partners on grant regulations through training, meetings and monitoring.
Training junior finance staff. Supervise, allocate and delegate work to assistant accountants. Mentor and coach staff to build their capacity.
Ensure VAT is withheld for all vatable procurements and paid to KRA.
Work closely with operations and program teams to align resources to goals.
PEOPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage the organization's payroll system, ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with labour laws.
Administer employee benefits programs (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans), manage vendor relationships and handle enrollment and changes.
Review, strengthen and implement Nyanam HR policy and procedures.
Manage employee records and ensure data privacy and confidentiality.
Coordinate new staff recruitment and onboarding process (often in collaboration with the management team).
Oversee employee expense management and reimbursements.
Ensure compliance with labour laws and regulations related to employment practices.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education: A master's degree in finance/management and a qualified accountant, CPA-K. Additional technical skills in human resource management are an added advantage.
Leadership Experience: At least 5-7 years of senior management experience in finance, with 2 years of proven experience, preferably in a nonprofit, NGO, or community development context. Experience in overseeing financing and funding implementation and team development is essential.
COMPETENCIES
Strong understanding of accounting principles, preparing financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement), and generating accurate financial reports.
Ability to develop, manage, and analyze budgets, create financial forecasts, and perform variance analysis
Skill in analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and providing insightful interpretations to support decision-making.
Understanding of internal control frameworks and the ability to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls. Experience with internal and external audits.
Proficiency in using accounting software (QuickBooks) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, and potentially Power BI) is a must.
Able to understand how finance supports the overall organizational strategy and contributes to strategic financial planning and decision-making
Excellent communication skills to articulate Nyanam’s vision to donors, partners, and community
Maintaining high ethical standards and confidentiality in handling financial information.
Ability to lead, motivate, and develop finance team members.
A proactive and independent work ethic: You are a self-starter, able to prioritize, manage multiple assignments, and take initiative.
How to apply:
If you meet the requirements above and are confident that this is you, send your CV, cover letter, and any other document you feel is relevant to this application to hr@nyanam.org by 1st April 2025.