Director of Finance & Operations (Kenya Nationals)

Position Category: Local hire, paid in-country

Company/Division/Subdivision: JSI – Local Hire

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Description:

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. Founded in 1978, JSI collaborates with government agencies, the private sector, and local nonprofit and civil society organizations to identify and implement solutions to the most pressing public health and education challenges. We are dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater health, education, and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause.

JSI is currently recruiting for Finance & Operations Director positions for upcoming USAID-funded supply chain and pharmaceutical strengthening projects in Kenya and other Anglophone countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.

The purpose of this activity is to strengthen systems and provide operational support to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, affordable health commodities. This position is contingent upon an award from USAID.

The Director of Finance & Operations (DFO) will be responsible for the financial, contractual, and operations management of the project. Management functions include oversight of project finances (accounting, budget management, reporting), subaward and subcontract management, procurement, HR, safety and security, and logistics management including travel, equipment, and fleet. The Director of Finance & Operations (DFO) will be supervised by Chief of Party and will supervisee the project finance and operations staff.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overarching financial, operational, administrative, HR, and logistical support for the the project and serve as a direct link to the COP for all F&O related issues;
• Work closely with members of the senior management team (SMT) to coordinate F&O and HR aspects of program planning and implementation;
• Establish, integrate, and institutionalize financial, administrative, operational, HR, and contractual systems to ensure proper oversight over the contract and the implementation of activities;
• Ensure accurate and timely financial and operational information is presented to donor, management, and project staff for decision-making;
• Ensure overall compliance with donor and JSI policies, procedures, and regulations across the implementation of all activities;
• Supervise the F&O management team and provide staff capacity building, mentorship, and coaching;
• Ensure the development and updating of operational policies and manuals, including the Local Hire Employee Manual (LHEM), Operations Manual, and Safety and Security Manual;
• Work closely with the finance staff to monitor the program budget and coordinate regularly with the rest of the project’s management team to ensure the budget is up to date and technical activities align to the budget, including substantial involvement in annual work plan budgeting, high-level financial analysis, and guidance to project leadership on financial status of program activities;
• Oversee granting and financial/operational support to local partners, including the provision of capacity building/training that may be needed by local partners in financial and operational areas;
• Oversee procurement of equipment and commodities, including the overall procurement process and implementation/management of contracts;
• Work with F&O management staff to oversee general office operations and management;
• Work with F&O management staff to oversee general project logistics, including fleet management and logistics coordination
• Ensure compliance with local statutes, including, taxation, annual audits, and labor law, etc.;
• Manage annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison with audit missions, in coordination with F&O Manager-level staff;
• Provide overarching management of the HR function;
• Provide training and/or guidance to all staff on financial controls and operational systems, as needed;
• Coordinate regularly with the home office backstopping team to ensure transparency and communication regarding financial and operational activities;
• Lead the enforcement of JSI’s policies around accountability, fraud/ethics management, child safeguarding, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse;
• Travel to field sites, as necessary;
• Any additional responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in business administration, finance, accounting, or other relevant field. Professional accounting certification preferred.

• A minimum of 10 years’ work experience in a finance and operations-related role, with at least 4 years experience in a senior-level responsibility for administration and finance;

• Proven expertise in finance, compliance, accounting, and auditing, including financial planning, monitoring of subcontract compliance and management and the establishment of internal controls

• Proven experience managing administrative and financial management of large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility;

• Experience managing large multi-million dollar budgets with multiple funding streams preferred;

• Experience working with USAID required;

• Experience with a wide variety of donors preferred;

• Proven ability to manage subcontractors/partners and sub-grants;

• Experience developing work plan and proposal budgets and costing activities, in coordination with technical and program teams;

• Experience developing and managing a donor-funded grants program;

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and strong interpersonal skills are essential;

• Ability to take initiative and work under minimal supervision;

• Experience designing financial tools and training and building capacity of local finance and administrative staff;

• Ability to handle confidential information with care;

• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in the local language and English required;

• Expert computer skills in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;

• Advanced knowledge and experience with accounting software (preferably QuickBooks);

• Familiarity working with the Google Suite of projects (Gmail, Drive, Sheets, etc.) preferred;

• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the country of operation, as necessary.

• Position is contingent upon USAID award to JSI. Citizens of the country were the project is taking place are strongly encouraged to apply.

  Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 7/06/2024.