FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a partnership that works with governments, donors, NGOs, the private sector, and African farmers to significantly and sustainably improve the productivity and income of resource-poor farmers in Africa. Founded and initially funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA supports interventions aimed at improving seed systems, soil fertility,
input and output markets, policies, and other priority sectors, with the overall objective of reducing food insecurity. AGRA aims to achieve these goals by: supporting and building capability of farmers and enterprises across the agricultural value chain; being a thought-leader on African agriculture by collecting, packaging, and disseminating knowledge; and creating strong partnerships with public, private, and donor actors to drive change within the sector. AGRA is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has an office in Accra, Ghana.

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a US$205m private sector fund, backed by some of the biggest names in development finance and hosted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Our aim is to encourage private sector companies to compete for investment support for their new and innovative business ideas.

The AECF is a special partnership initiative of AGRA that supports AGRA's mission. The Board of AGRA provides the governance structure for the AECF and is responsible to the AECF's donors. However, in practice, the AECF operates as an independent fund reporting to its own Investment Committee which in turn reports to a Governing Council made up of its donor funders and ultimately AGRA's Board. The AECF is open to proposals from any country in the world as long as the project implementation will be in the specified country. Multi-country and regional projects are also eligible. We operate from three regional hubs (Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg and Harare).

AGRA is seeking an experienced Financial Officer with a background of accounting and budgeting as well as a certain degree of broader financial management. S/he will assist the Executive Manager (EM) in pro-actively managing and overseeing the Fund from a financial point of view and assist the EM in preparing reporting and budgeting obligations vis-à-vis the AECF Board. The position will report to the EM through AGRA’s Finance Manager (FM).

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Compiling and analyzing financial information to prepare financial statements including monthly and annual accounts for management
• Ensuring all financial reporting deadlines in agreements with the AECF donors are met
• Preparing quarterly financial management reports for submission to the AECF committee (Board)
• Monitoring the implementation and maintenance of accounting control procedures by both the FM and AGRA
• Resolving accounting discrepancies and irregularities between AGRA and the FM
• Ensuring the follow-up of project audits by AGRA’s Internal Audit Unit, the FM, or other third parties as reported in AGRA’s database is successfully completed.
• Continuously managing and supporting budget and forecast activities
• Assisting AGRA management in the preparation of the AECF administrative budget estimates for submission to the AECF Committee for discussion and final approval.
• Regularly monitoring expenditure against budget, advising the EM on variances, cost escalations, and budget re-allocations
• Monitoring and managing financial/administrative contract issues between AGRA and the AECF donors, and AGRA and the grantees
• Developing and maintaining financial data bases, particularly in AGRA’s MIS
• Ensuring accurate and appropriate recording and analysis of revenues and expenses of the AECF
• Analyzing and advising on business operations including revenue and expenditure trends, financial commitments and future revenues including returning loans
• Analyzing financial information to recommend or develop efficient use of resources and procedures, provide strategic recommendations and solutions to business and financial problems;
• Reviewing all grantee reimbursement claims and advising the EM as to their adequacy and accuracy with a view to release of grant payments
• Drafting separate AECF internal controls and procedures manual in consultation with AGRA
• Assisting in obtaining legal advice from legal consultants on arbitration and litigation against grantees on the basis of the risk management protocol, and providing an assessment by the local law firm on chances of success and cost/benefit ratios;
• Liaising with and supporting AGRA’s audit unit in the preparation, organization and conduct of AECF project audits;
• Analyzing the progress reports of each AECF project and developing a risk analysis.

Key Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• A postgraduate degree in the field of accounting; CPA certification is a requirement.
• A minimum of five years of general accounting and financial management experience, preferably in a private sector, fund management setting;
• Good working knowledge of not-for-profit and private foundation law and accounting regulations.
• Computer proficiency and familiarity with a range of software applications including MS Excel, MS Word, and accounting packages
• Must be able to work independently with little supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties and work under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and maintaining a timely and efficient work flow.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a motivation to improve policies and practices systemically.
• Strong analytical skills, commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and to maintaining a timely and efficient work flow. 

For more information on these positions, applicants can visit www.agra.org and www.aecfafrica.org

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities will be negotiated with the successful candidate. If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for this role, please submit your application with a detailed CV, stating your current position, nationality, remuneration, e-mail and telephone contacts and quoting the reference number (Ref.: AECF/NRS-FO/001) on the application letter and email subject line.

To be considered, your application must be received by 19 July, 2013 addressed to:

The Human Resources Office

AGRA

P.O Box 66773 - 00800

Westlands, Nairobi Kenya

Email: recruit@agra.org

Categories: FINANCE, NGO