SAVE THE CHILDREN FINANCE ASSISTANT(SIGNATURE PROGRAMME)

Save the Children Finance Assistant (Signature Programme)
April 7, 2015 Job Description
Vacancy: Finance AssistantPosition Code:
FIN/BUS/2015Team / Programme: Signature Programme
Location: BusiaContract Duration: 1 year
Grade: 5
Post Type: National
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people
Scope of Role: The Finance Assistant is responsible for managing the day-to-day finance activities in the Busia field office, Kenya programme. S/he will ensure that all financial activities are carried out
in line with Save the Children’s financial procedures.
Role Purpose: SCI Kenya is currently implementing a signature for maternal and newborn health (MNH) that is expected to significantly contribute to achievement of Kenya’s MDG 4 and 5 targets.
The programmatic model will actualize continuum of care approach mixed with an integrated package of quick wins, a minimum community health care package and a strengthened health system approach to maternal and newborn health programming across Save the Children’s Theory of Change.
Save the Children will work with the government of Kenya both national and county communities to address the maternal and neonatal health challenges in the country in a way that would deliver significant impacts for Children and Women by the end of the 5 year period.
Reports to: Finance officerDimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.
Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.
In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya.
In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own.
Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country.
We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2015 of approximately US$20-25 million.Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Key Areas of Accountability:

• Prepare all cash payments/receipts by recording details on SC vouchers, ensuring prior approval by the budget holder.
• Maintain cash balances according to the field office finance guidelines and advise the Finance Officer of any cash requirements.
• Maintain the field office financial spread sheets and ensure all coding is in line with in country coding structure and programme budgets.
• Carry out weekly and monthly cash counts with senior managers
• Responsible for preparation and dispatch of all cash salaries for office
• Issues floats to staff as required ensuring that the proper authorization by the relevant line manager is approved and that floats are reconciled according to the finance guidelines.
• Ensure proper documentation and filing of all finance documents ensuring good audit trail
• Must be aware of and follow the programme budget and the donors allocation before committing any expenditure.
• Perform single account reconciliation using the AGRESSO system.
• Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the Finance Officer or Area Programme Manager.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, code of conduct, fraud, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
• Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
• Ambition:
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically
• Collaboration:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
• Creativity:
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Qualifications and Experience

• Part 11 (section 4) qualified in a recognized professional qualification in Accounting (CPA, ACCA
• Minimum two years’ experience in cash management within a busy working environment such as financial institutions, NGOs or INGO’s.
• Excellent computer skills especially in MS Excel and MS Word.
• High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team
• Excellent communication skills and confidence to work with limited direct support.
• Ability to work under high pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Strong organisational and time management skills to be able to manage priorities within own workload, identify deadlines and cope with conflicting demands under pressure
• Good analytical and problem solving skills, with ability to devise appropriate systems and solutions
• A flexible approach to working and ability to take the initiative where appropriate.
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Competencies:

• Has high-level communication skills’, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
• Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partners
• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Proven ability to work as a team.

 How to Apply
Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Code on the subject line by 17th April 2015.
Due to the urgency of these positions, applications will be reviewed as when we receive them.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.