CEFA – the European Committee for Training and Agriculture (Comitato Europeo per la Formazione e l’Agricoltura) is an Italian NGO, which was established in 1972 and is currently active in 10 countries across Africa and Latin America. CEFA lays its foundation on the principles of solidarity and cooperation between the different regions of the world in the name of Justice, Human rights and peace. CEFA believes in the development of communities and local institutions, aiming to improve families’ living conditions and communities’ economies through capacity building, awareness raising and advocacy for the protection of vulnerable person’s and their fundamental human rights.
Starting date: March 2023
Deadline for applications: 17/02/2023
Contract duration: 1 year renewable
Monthly gross salary: 2.900-3.300 € according to experience and qualification
Duty station: Nairobi
Report to: Regional Coordinator (RC) and Italy HQ
Objectives and general characteristics
The HEAD OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (HFA) is in charge of the overall administrative and financial management of the Kenya/Somalia Regional Office.
(S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers to ensure a proper financial management of the Country missions and the projects.
As a key member of the Regional Coordination Team, the post holder will be required to ensure the regional finance management, HR management, administration and logistic are in line with internal HR policies and guidelines and local legislations.
(S)he ensures program quality and compliance to the internal and donor’s standards.
S(He) supports and coordinate the procurement/logistic department, marketing and funding processes of the program, through management of funding proposals (BFU, forecast) and of timely and accurate financial reports.
(S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and the Project Managers in the preparation of agreements setting the relationships between CEFA and its partners or other organizations for the implementation of the projects. Moreover (S)he ensures the correct administrative application of the agreements, including the handover procedures.
(S)he reports to the Regional Coordinator and Administrative Desk in HQ.
Areas of Responsibility
Administrative Organization
- In accordance with the Regional Coordinator and following the internal procedures, (s)he recruits, supervises and evaluates the administrative and support staff, ensuring that the local staff assigned to him/her meet the requirements of professionalism and reliability necessary for the performance of their work.
- (S)he ensures the application of the general organizational guidelines, policies and procedures adopted by CEFA at the Regional office and at the field offices. To this aim, (s)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers providing adequate technical assistance and appropriate monitoring to the field administration and finance, also through regular field visits as required.
- (S)he ensures in every area of management the respect of the local law.
Book-keeping, Finance and Budgeting
- (S)he ensures the preparation of the Annual Financial Statements and its certification. (S)he is the contact person for the external auditors and ensures the flow of information to the HQ.
- (S)he ensures the proper management of the bank accounts and contracts with local banks.
- Based on information provided by the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers, (s)he ensures the preparation and management of cash flows and budget follow up for the Regional Office costs and supports the project Managers in doing the same for each project.
- (S)he Checks and approve all fund requests coming from the PMs against the available budget and send them to HQ.
- (S)he prepares and follow up Project Audits and General CEFA Audit.
- (S)he supports the RC and PMs in the development and revision of detailed proposal budgets.
Project management
- (S)he ensures the preparation of financial reports according to the contracts signed with the Donors and CEFA’s internal procedures.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator in preparing the budget for new projects, and the project managers for budget revision for on-going contracts.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers in monitoring the expenses by providing them with periodic follow up and forecasts.
- (S)he prepares and update on a monthly basis the Country cash flows (Kenya and Somalia) identifying the resources to cover structure and support staff costs from the different project budgets and share it with the Regional Coordinator and HQ.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers in planning the annual financial reporting and in identifying the project financial needs (this information will be consolidated in the country Cash-Flow).
Human resources management, legal compliance
- (S)he revises staff contract in cooperation with the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers and ensure compliance with the local legislations and CEFA Policies and Procedures.
- (S)he manages directly all the Regional Office support staff (procurement/logistic) and conduct performance appraisals and periodic reviews as per CEFA policies and procedures.
- (S)he ensures compliance of the legal obligations related to CEFA presence in the country like the NGO registration with relevant ministries, taxation, predispositions of agreements with Authorities and Local Partner, obtaining work permits or other matters for expatriate staff or volunteers.
- (S)he reviews the contracts for signature highlighting to the Regional Coordinator any points of concern or discrepancies from the Countries’ law.
- (S)he ensures the proper administration management of local and expatriate staff (including Visas, work permits, annual returns etc) in accordance with local legislation and CEFA procedures.
- (S)he ensures the management of the health scheme for all staff according to CEFA HR Policy.
Purchasing and Logistics
- (S)he oversees the administration, supervision and management of assets acquired by CEFA.
- (S)he Analyzes all the projects’ procurement rule and general conditions and ensure that CEFA’s procedures are in line with them.
- (S)he oversees contracts stipulation and purchase transactions of goods and services complying strictly with donor and CEFA requirements, both at project and Regional office level.
Management Control
- (S)he makes sure that all administration and financial procedures are followed by all admin, logistic and program staff.
- (S)he ensures the elaboration of the country budget on the basis of information provided by the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers and the preliminary financial statement in due time according to the format provided by HQ.
- (S)he ensures the preparation of periodic internal expenses follow up for internal use in line with CEFA requirements.
- (S)he ensures the systematic monitoring of the accountancy to enable a proper process of management control.
- (S)he undertakes quality assurance: periodic monitoring of all CEFA accountants in Kenya and Somalia through internal audit to all the projects using the European Administrative Toolkit and other tools.
- (S)he trains admin/logistic staff on anticorruption, and risk management and reduction procedures.
The HFA is available to perform any additional duties required by the Regional Coordinator and HQ Administrative Desk in line with the profile.
Mandatory Requirements
- University level degree in public administration, business, economics, financial management, or another relevant field
- A minimum of five years of financial management, grants management, or similar experience.
- At least three years’ experience in a Head of Finance position or role with similar management level and responsibilities.
- At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in African countries in a similar position is required.
- Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills.
- Proven ability to manage and monitor a diverse staff in multiple locations.
- Familiarity with major institutional donor’s financial management requirements and proved ability to prepare donor’s financial reports.
- Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure.
- Fluency in English language.
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
Desired Requirements
- Possession of MBA or Master in a related field is a strong plus.
- Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters is a strong advantage.
- Previous work experience in Kenya and/or Somalia is a plus
- Experience in working in conflict-prone environments a plus.
- Knowledge of Italian language is a plus. CEFA – the European Committee for Training and Agriculture (Comitato Europeo per la Formazione e l’Agricoltura) is an Italian NGO, which was established in 1972 and is currently active in 10 countries across Africa and Latin America. CEFA lays its foundation on the principles of solidarity and cooperation between the different regions of the world in the name of Justice, Human rights and peace. CEFA believes in the development of communities and local institutions, aiming to improve families’ living conditions and communities’ economies through capacity building, awareness raising and advocacy for the protection of vulnerable person’s and their fundamental human rights.
Starting date: March 2023
Deadline for applications: 07/02/2023
Contract duration: 1 year renewable
Monthly gross salary: 2.900-3.300 € according to experience and qualification
Duty station: Nairobi
Report to: Regional Coordinator (RC) and Italy HQ
Objectives and general characteristics
The HEAD OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (HFA) is in charge of the overall administrative and financial management of the Kenya/Somalia Regional Office.
(S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers to ensure a proper financial management of the Country missions and the projects.
As a key member of the Regional Coordination Team, the post holder will be required to ensure the regional finance management, HR management, administration and logistic are in line with internal HR policies and guidelines and local legislations.
(S)he ensures program quality and compliance to the internal and donor’s standards.
S(He) supports and coordinate the procurement/logistic department, marketing and funding processes of the program, through management of funding proposals (BFU, forecast) and of timely and accurate financial reports.
(S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and the Project Managers in the preparation of agreements setting the relationships between CEFA and its partners or other organizations for the implementation of the projects. Moreover (S)he ensures the correct administrative application of the agreements, including the handover procedures.
(S)he reports to the Regional Coordinator and Administrative Desk in HQ.
Areas of Responsibility
Administrative Organization
- In accordance with the Regional Coordinator and following the internal procedures, (s)he recruits, supervises and evaluates the administrative and support staff, ensuring that the local staff assigned to him/her meet the requirements of professionalism and reliability necessary for the performance of their work.
- (S)he ensures the application of the general organizational guidelines, policies and procedures adopted by CEFA at the Regional office and at the field offices. To this aim, (s)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers providing adequate technical assistance and appropriate monitoring to the field administration and finance, also through regular field visits as required.
- (S)he ensures in every area of management the respect of the local law.
- Book-keeping, Finance and Budgeting
- (S)he ensures the preparation of the Annual Financial Statements and its certification. (S)he is the contact person for the external auditors and ensures the flow of information to the HQ.
- (S)he ensures the proper management of the bank accounts and contracts with local banks.
- Based on information provided by the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers, (s)he ensures the preparation and management of cash flows and budget follow up for the Regional Office costs and supports the project Managers in doing the same for each project.
- (S)he Checks and approve all fund requests coming from the PMs against the available budget and send them to HQ.
- (S)he prepares and follow up Project Audits and General CEFA Audit.
- (S)he supports the RC and PMs in the development and revision of detailed proposal budgets.
- Project management
- (S)he ensures the preparation of financial reports according to the contracts signed with the Donors and CEFA’s internal procedures.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator in preparing the budget for new projects, and the project managers for budget revision for on-going contracts.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers in monitoring the expenses by providing them with periodic follow up and forecasts.
- (S)he prepares and update on a monthly basis the Country cash flows (Kenya and Somalia) identifying the resources to cover structure and support staff costs from the different project budgets and share it with the Regional Coordinator and HQ.
- (S)he supports the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers in planning the annual financial reporting and in identifying the project financial needs (this information will be consolidated in the country Cash-Flow).
- Human resources management, legal compliance
- (S)he revises staff contract in cooperation with the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers and ensure compliance with the local legislations and CEFA Policies and Procedures.
- (S)he manages directly all the Regional Office support staff (procurement/logistic) and conduct performance appraisals and periodic reviews as per CEFA policies and procedures.
- (S)he ensures compliance of the legal obligations related to CEFA presence in the country like the NGO registration with relevant ministries, taxation, predispositions of agreements with Authorities and Local Partner, obtaining work permits or other matters for expatriate staff or volunteers.
- (S)he reviews the contracts for signature highlighting to the Regional Coordinator any points of concern or discrepancies from the Countries’ law.
- (S)he ensures the proper administration management of local and expatriate staff (including Visas, work permits, annual returns etc) in accordance with local legislation and CEFA procedures.
- (S)he ensures the management of the health scheme for all staff according to CEFA HR Policy.
- Purchasing and Logistics
- (S)he oversees the administration, supervision and management of assets acquired by CEFA.
- (S)he Analyzes all the projects’ procurement rule and general conditions and ensure that CEFA’s procedures are in line with them.
- (S)he oversees contracts stipulation and purchase transactions of goods and services complying strictly with donor and CEFA requirements, both at project and Regional office level.
- Management Control
- (S)he makes sure that all administration and financial procedures are followed by all admin, logistic and program staff.
- (S)he ensures the elaboration of the country budget on the basis of information provided by the Regional Coordinator and Project Managers and the preliminary financial statement in due time according to the format provided by HQ.
- (S)he ensures the preparation of periodic internal expenses follow up for internal use in line with CEFA requirements.
- (S)he ensures the systematic monitoring of the accountancy to enable a proper process of management control.
- (S)he undertakes quality assurance: periodic monitoring of all CEFA accountants in Kenya and Somalia through internal audit to all the projects using the European Administrative Toolkit and other tools.
- (S)he trains admin/logistic staff on anticorruption, and risk management and reduction procedures.
- The HFA is available to perform any additional duties required by the Regional Coordinator and HQ Administrative Desk in line with the profile.
Mandatory Requirements
- University level degree in public administration, business, economics, financial management, or another relevant field
- A minimum of five years of financial management, grants management, or similar experience.
- At least three years’ experience in a Head of Finance position or role with similar management level and responsibilities.
- At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in African countries in a similar position is required.
- Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills.
- Proven ability to manage and monitor a diverse staff in multiple locations.
- Familiarity with major institutional donor’s financial management requirements and proved ability to prepare donor’s financial reports.
- Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure.
- Fluency in English language.
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
- Desired Requirements
- Possession of MBA or Master in a related field is a strong plus.
- Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters is a strong advantage.
- Previous work experience in Kenya and/or Somalia is a plus
- Experience in working in conflict-prone environments a plus.
- Knowledge of Italian language is a plus.
This position is open to national and expatriates’ applicants. Interested and qualified persons, with the required experience are invited to submit their application to [email protected] ; cc: [email protected]
Email subject: HFA KENYA-SOMALIA
Application to include ALL of the following:
- Updated CV, with signed authorisation to process personal data, including 3 reference contacts from previous employer (Country Director) specifying email and telephone number (only official/organization emails will be accepted);
- Cover letter (1-page maximum).
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The selection respects the principle of equal opportunities (L. 903/77).
Due to the urgency of filling this position, the applications received will be revised on a rolling basis and the Management can close the vacancy before the indicated deadline as soon as the suitable candidate is identified.
