Deputy Director, Finance & Accounts

Role Summary

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is seeking a Deputy Director, Finance & Accounts. Reporting to the Director – Corporate Services, this position is responsible for coordinating all finance and accounting activities at the Commission, formulating financial and budgetary control policies, ensuring prudent management and utilization of financial and physical resources, and maintaining compliance with all legislative and regulatory standards.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Director – Corporate Services
• Direct Reports: Assistant Director Finance & Accounts, Senior Finance & Accounts Officer
• Indirect Reports: Accountant, Finance Officer, Accounts Assistant

Compensation & Benefits

• Gross Salary: Kshs. 281,950
• Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group Life Insurance, and WIBA.

Key Responsibilities

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Formulating, implementing, and reviewing the Commission’s financial and accounting policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Advising the Commission on financial and accounting matters.
• Ensuring compliance with Public Finance Management Act, Public Finance Management Regulations, and other government financial regulations, guidelines, and policies.
• Coordinating preparation of the Commission’s budgets and plans.
• Ensuring prudent management and utilization of the Commission’s financial resources as per set financial policies, regulations, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ensuring adherence to the Commission’s budgetary allocation.
• Ensuring adherence to financial management guidelines, systems, standards, and procedures.
• Ensuring financial records are maintained in compliance with accepted policies and procedures.
• Analysing and advising on revenue and expenditure trends, financial commitments, and future revenues.
• Monitoring financial performance of the Commission and making appropriate recommendations.
• Performing periodic review and analysis of financial reports obtained from regional offices.
• Coordinating preparation and dissemination of financial management reports/statements/accounts and statutory reports.
• Coordinating the development and utilization of the division’s budget.
• Undertaking the implementation of the Division’s human resource functions.

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Reviewing the performance budget and explaining variances sighted for the Commission’s accountability measures.
• Overseeing the preparation of quarterly, annual, statutory, and special financial reports for presentation to statutory bodies, the board, management, special committees, and parliament.
• Advising Commissioners on financial matters to gain approval on planned budgetary requests from the National Treasury.
• Promoting best practices such as IFMIS in financial operations and procedures in compliance with stipulated finance guidelines set by The National Treasury.
• Authorizing payments and imprest warrants for all departments in line with national budget allocations.
• Providing technical support in negotiations on resource mobilization / fundraising.
• Preparing and presenting the Commission budget and reports through the various stages of the budget-making process, including the National Treasury and National Assembly.
• Representing the Commission in external meetings at The National Treasury and with Development Partners.
• Preparing the Commission’s annual and supplementary budget and estimates to be presented to Commissioners for approval before presentation to parliament.
• Providing finance forecasting and budget support to senior managers to manage financials and anticipate revenue projections.
• Conducting budget reviews for funds utilization across departments to check variances and control misuse of money and cost inflation.
• Coordinating external audits, responding to audit queries, liaising with the National Treasury and financial partners, and implementing audit recommendations.

Job Dimensions

Financial Responsibility

• Approval of all payments in line with the Public Finance Management Act and Regulations.
• Overall oversight of the Institution's budget implementation and annual budget management.
• Timely processing of all payments and leadership on cash flow and financial risk management.

Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Computer, Laptop, Printer, Safe, Workstations.

Working Conditions

• Normal office facilities including an individual office desk and communication tools.

Requirements & Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Commerce, Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance option), Business Administration (Accounting or Finance option), Business Management (Accounting or Finance option), Economics, Actuarial Science, or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.

Professional Qualifications / Memberships

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) K and registered member in good standing with ICPAK.
• Certificate in Strategic Leadership Development Program lasting not less than six weeks from Kenya School of Government or equivalent.

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of service in a comparable position from a reputable organization.

Skills & Attributes

• Functional skills: Team leadership, analytical skills, strategic thinking, in-depth knowledge of Public Financial Management laws, and computer skills with working knowledge of IFMIS and accounting software like SagePastel Evolution.
• Behavioral attributes: Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills; team player; ability to work under pressure; compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.