AgriFI Food Safety Programme (AGRIFI) Finance Officer

ABOUT MESPT

Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) was established in 2002 by the Government of Kenya and European Union. EU later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) through a Trust Deed of 2013.

The Trust is a development organization with a purpose to grow small holder farmers and Agri SMEs to increase productivity, incomes and enhance competitiveness for job creation especially for youth and women. This is achieved through capacity building which includes skills development, technical support, business advisory, financial and market linkages.

Our focus is to facilitate support and provision of integrated financial and business development services for small holder farmers and Agri SMEs in Kenya. This is aimed at enabling beneficiaries to access finance, increase agricultural productivity, agro-processing, and access markets/ trade opportunities. For over a decade, MESPT has partnered with development agencies, donors, and investors to build the capacity of the business services sector and the agricultural sector in Kenya through a unique tripartite business model that links Farmers, Agri- SMEs, and Financial Institutions - creating linkages along value chains.

AGRIFI FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The AgriFI Programme is an Agriculture Financing initiative expected to increase agricultural yields, open sustainable supply chains for farmers, and improve food security. The AgriFI Food Safety Programme is an EU 7 year (2018 – 2024) funded Programme whose focus is on Food Safety (Sanitary & Phyto-sanitary Standards), Plant and Animal Health in 13 counties of Kenya. The programme’s interventions aim at addressing the food safety concerns for both domestic and international market.

For more information kindly visit our website www.mespt.org

VACANT POSITION

MESPT is seeking a highly skilled, result-oriented and analytical Finance Officer with excellent financial management and accounting skills to support the programme achieve its objectives and targets.

Position Reports to: Head of Finance and Administration

Duty Station: Nairobi, Westlands

Salary: Grade 4

Benefits: 25 working days annual leave, Medical Insurance, 20% Gratuity, 7.5% Leave travelling allowance.

Expected Travel: Minimum

Terms: Contract up to 31st December 2024, three-month probation and notice period of one month.

Job Purpose

Working in the finance department under the supervision of the Head of Finance and Administration, the Finance Officer will be responsible for all financial functions of the programme including accounting, payments and banking, documentation, budgeting, financial reporting and compliance. Specific tasks include;

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Control

• Review and verify all invoices /payment vouchers for approval of payment. Review and verify all transactions posted into sub ledgers for all the programs.
• Prepare the general ledger and run the trial balance to confirm accuracy of the general ledger. Remit statutory deductions and taxes including but not limited to corporate tax, VAT, PAYE, withholding tax for all the programme activities.
• Review and verify bank reconciliations and supplier accounts
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, organizational policies, donor, and statutory regulations for all the program activities.
• Maintain Asset register and conduct asset verification exercise
• Carry out monthly inter-project reconciliation for all the program activities.

Financial Systems

• Ensure effective management of Navision ERP line with approved plans.
• Ensure effective filing, manual or electronic for all documentation
• Ensure configuration of the report set up in Navision
• Updating of MESPT program budgets in Navision

Risk Management

• Co-ordinate, the risk management function including compilation of the risk register for the activities.

Budgeting

• Work with respective managers to develop operations annual and interim budgets.
• Confirm that proposed budgets adhere to organizational, donor, statutory and professional guidelines.
• Review the individual budgets and consolidate budgets to create the overall institutional budget for Board of Trustees approval.

Implementing Partner Reviews, Internal and External Audits

• Plan for partner reviews, Internal and External audits for all the programs activities
• Address issues raised in draft reports and management letters and give responses in terms of program activities.
• Undertake corrective and preventive actions identified by partner reviews and audits, investigations, or other assessment mechanisms within the agreed time frame in all the program activities.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare monthly Financial Accounts and Management reports for review
• Discuss the reports with the respective managers and to understand the reasons for any variance and document the same.

Policy, Procedure and Controls

• Develop procedures aligned to approved policies, ensure compliance, and effect controls and sensitize program staff on the policies and procedures.
• Ensure all financial controls are put in place and monitor the same.
• Conduct staff sensitization sessions periodically to keep staff abreast of policies and procedures.

Any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor from time to time

Key Relationships

Internal: HR Officer, Programme Managers, Credit and Business Development Manager, ICT Manager, Programme Officers, Finance Assistants and Programme Assistants

External: Banks, Donors, Suppliers and Partner Organizations

Qualifications & Other Requirements

a) A minimum of bachelor’s degree in commerce, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Related Field from an Accredited Institution of Higher Learning

b) CPA (K) holder or equivalent professional qualification

c) At least 5 years of experience in Finance/Audit

d) Experience in using financial software.

e) Solid Knowledge of Financial and accounting procedures

f) Excellent understanding of Financial ERP system

g) Excellent knowledge of IFRS and its application and International Accounting Standards (IAS)

h) Experience of handling financial projects in Agribusiness will be an added advantage.

i) Excellent working knowledge of MS Office Suite

j) Knowledge on Risk Management will be an added advantage.

Role Competence

a) Strong commercial acumen - appreciation of budgeting and financial management, and strategic thinking.

b) Good analytical and critical thinking skills, problem-solving, judgment and decision-making skills. A proven capability to provide gainful insight and practical and pragmatic solutions to business challenges with a bias towards action and resolving issues quickly.

c) Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, verbal & written communication, and presentation skills. Strong influencing and conflict resolution skills

d) Excellent organizational, planning and execution skills

Behaviour

a) Able to work both independently, efficiently, and effectively as well as in collaboration with people at various levels and from different backgrounds.

b) Able to work under pressure and manage time effectively.

c) Ability to accept accountability, results oriented approach to achievement of objectives

d) Have a sense of urgency and attention to detail

e) Unquestionable integrity, confidentiality, and respect.

f) Persuasiveness and the ability to influence people positively.

g) Positive, energetic self-starter with a high level of personal drive and resilience

*****This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available and MESPT reserves the right to make necessary changes.*

How to apply

Qualified and interested applicants should send their application letters indicating their current/last remuneration, detailed CV with email address, daytime telephone contacts, names, and email contacts of 3 professional referees, 2 must have supervised you at some point, with one being your most recent supervisor (combined in one PDF document) to jobs@mespt.org quoting the Job Reference and Job Title in the subject line.

The applicant must legally be eligible to live and work full time in Kenya.

Please do not send certificates at this stage.

Deadline for applications 28th July 2023 at 5.00 pm EAT.

MESPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to Gender Equity and Diversity.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.