The role of the Finance Officer at the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED), an independent, African-owned and led think tank focused on evaluation of development initiatives in the Global South, is critical for overseeing the financial accounting and management of grant-funded projects and contracts. The officer ensures accuracy, completeness, and strict compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and legal requirements. This position requires active involvement in budgeting, financial forecasting, statutory compliance, and internal controls.
Key Responsibilities
Grant & Contract Financial Management
- Oversee financial accounting for all grant-funded projects and contracts, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Monitor expenditures against approved budgets and forecasts; analyze variances and provide timely financial advice to management and program teams.
- Prepare and submit grant and contract financial reports in line with donor guidelines and deadlines.
- Ensure timely invoicing, fund drawdowns, receipts, and cash-flow management for grants and contracts.
- Participate in cross-departmental grant and contract management meetings and ensure follow-up on agreed actions.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Support development of proposal budgets in collaboration with program and development teams.
- Monitor budget execution and prepare forecasts to identify potential risks, overruns, or funding gaps.
- Support preparation of quarterly and annual budgets and forecasts for grant-funded programs and contracts.
- Ensure alignment between narrative and financial reports submitted to donors.
Donor Compliance, Risk & Audit Management
- Ensure compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and legal requirements.
- Conduct regular expenditure reviews to ensure proper cost allocation and compliance.
- Coordinate and support internal and external audits related to grants and contracts.
- Identify financial risks and recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls.
Accounting, Payments & Statutory Compliance
- Process payments, staff advances, petty cash, and supplier invoices.
- Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure timely posting in accounting systems.
- Perform bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Support payroll processing and ensure compliance with Kenyan statutory requirements (KRA, NSSF, SHA, Housing Levy etc).
Donor, Partner & Internal Relations
- Support donor and partner financial reporting in line with agreements and internal timelines.
- Respond to donor and partner financial queries professionally and promptly.
- Ensure complete, accurate, and accessible filing of grant and sub-grant financial documentation.
Capacity Building & Support
- Provide technical guidance to program teams, partners, and consultants on grant financial management.
- Develop and share financial tools, templates, SOPs, and guidance notes to strengthen grant management capacity.
Education, Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Professional qualification such as CPA (K), or ACCA strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 3–4 years’ experience in grant and contract financial management, preferably within an international NGO or development organization.
- Proven experience in proposal budget development and donor financial reporting.
- Proficiency in QuickBooks accounting System.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and MS Office.
