About Helen Keller Intl
Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition, and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Operating in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States, and together with a global community of supporters, we ensure every person has the opportunity — as Helen did — to reach their true potential.
Position Overview
Position Title
Senior Finance Officer
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Reports To
Finance Manager
Contract Type
Full-Time, Fixed Term
Department
Finances & Operations
Role Summary
The Senior Finance Officer plays a critical role in ensuring the financial integrity and operational effectiveness of Helen Keller Intl’s Kenya Country Office. This position is responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations, maintaining robust internal controls, and supporting the seamless integration of finance and programme functions. The incumbent serves as a key thought partner to the Finance Manager, contributing to strategic financial planning, donor compliance, and portfolio health monitoring across Helen Keller Intl’s Kenya-based programs.
Functional Relationships
- Directly reports to the Finance Manager, Kenya Country Office.
- Works closely with the Operations team, Programme Managers, and Helen Keller Global Finance teams.
- Liaises with external auditors, donors, statutory bodies (KRA, NSSF, NHIF), and banking institutions.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Operations & Accounting
Financial Operations & Accounting
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date general ledger records, ensuring timely completion of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes in alignment with Helen Keller’s global financial calendar.
- Process and review accounts payable, payroll, petty cash, and other financial transactions in compliance with internal policies and donor regulations.
- Prepare and review monthly bank reconciliations and actively manage cash flow and liquidity to support uninterrupted program operations.
- Ensure timely remittance of statutory deductions—including PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, and withholding taxes—while maintaining proper documentation in accordance with Kenyan regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with the Finance Manager to manage multi-currency transactions and ensure compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
- Maintain an accurate fixed asset register, ensuring proper accounting for asset acquisitions, disposals, and depreciation.
- Ensure timely vendor payments in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and organizational finance and procurement policies.
- Monthly reconciliation of general ledger balances and schedules
- Filling of withholding, monthly taxes and annual return
2. Reporting & Budget Management
- Prepare accurate and timely donor financial reports, reconciling them with the general ledger and ensuring compliance with donor-specific reporting formats and deadlines.
- Contribute to monthly Budget vs. Actuals (BvA) reports and provide detailed variance analyses with actionable commentary for programme and management teams.
- Support the development and review of project proposal budgets, budget realignments, and cost extensions in coordination with Programme Managers and the Finance Manager.
- Provide financial data and analysis to support strategic planning, resource allocation decisions, and portfolio reviews.
- Consolidate and submit routine financial reports in accordance with internal deadlines.
3. Compliance, Internal Controls & Audit
- Implement, monitor, and strengthen internal financial controls across the Kenya Country Office to safeguard organizational assets and maintain donor confidence.
- Maintain a well-organized electronic and physical filing system for all financial records, ensuring documents are easily retrievable for audits and reviews.
- Flag any weaknesses or irregularities in internal controls to the Finance Manager and recommend corrective actions.
- Support timely internal and external audit processes, including preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations, and management responses to audit findings.
- Stay current with Kenyan statutory and regulatory requirements, donor regulations (e.g., USAID, EU, GAVI), and Helen Keller policy updates affecting finance operations.
4. Capacity Building & Cross-Functional Support
- Provide financial orientation and on-the-job guidance to non-finance programme staff and interns to ensure understanding and adherence to financial policies and procedures.
- Support the Finance Manager in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for finance processes and adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Contribute to the adoption and effective use of Helen Keller Intl’s financial management systems.
- Perform any other finance-related duties as assigned by the Finance Manager
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field from a recognized university.
- Professional accounting qualification (CPA(K), ACCA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting, with at least 3 years in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded project finances (USAID, EU, GAVI, DFID, or equivalent bilateral/multilateral donors) is an added advantage.
- Proven experience preparing financial reports, BvA analyses, and supporting external audits.
- Conducting thorough review of all supporting documents to verify their authenticity and alignment with internal financial policies.
Technical Skills
- Strong technical accounting skills with proficiency in double-entry bookkeeping and financial reporting standards (IFRS / US GAAP awareness is an advantage).
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; working knowledge of accounting software (Serenic Navigator, QuickBooks, Sage, SAP, or similar ERP systems).
- Solid understanding of Kenyan tax laws, labour laws, and statutory reporting requirements (KRA, NSSF, NHIF).
- Experience with multi-donor budget management and foreign currency transactions.
Personal Competencies
- High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to meet strict internal and donor deadlines.
- Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across functions and cultures.
- Proactive problem-solver; flexible and solution-oriented in dynamic and resource-constrained environments.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills; Swahili proficiency is an asset.
- Unimpeachable integrity and demonstrated commitment to professional ethical standards.
- Personal alignment with Helen Keller’s mission and the values embodied by its co-founder: compassion, grit, rigor, and courage.
Working Conditions
- Based at the Helen Keller Kenya Country Office in Nairobi with occasional travel to field programme sites within Kenya.
- Willingness and ability to flex working hours to accommodate HKI’s global teams across multiple time zones.
Helen Keller is committed to the safeguarding and protection of the communities we serve. All staff are expected to adhere to Helen Keller’s Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policy
How to apply
Interested candidates to send their cover letter and a curriculum vitae as a single document and copies of relevant certificate to [email protected] Please indicate the position on the subject line of the email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; early submissions are encouraged. The deadline for application is 10th April 2026.
NB: HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL
• DOES NOT RECRUIT THROUGH A RECRUITMENT AGENCY.
• DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OF ANY KIND TO THE CANDIDATE.
• DOES NOT REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT CANDIDATES’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
ALL RECRUITMENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE
In the spirit of our namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity in all its forms is fully valued.
More Information
- Job City Kenya
