Director of Finance and IT Job in Nairobi

Director of Finance and IT Job in Nairobi

Vacancy Announcement: Director of Finance and IT

Our client is a leading social enterprise operating in the livestock sector in Kenya with the aim of revolutionizing the provision of livestock and veterinary services to pastoralists and farmers in Kenya by creating a more sustainable service delivery model.

With over 4 year’s business presence in Kenya and with over 85 franchises and 95 outlets all over the country, they are looking to hire a proactive and dynamic professional to join their team as a Director of Finance and IT.

This role will report to the Managing Director and will be based in Nairobi with regular travel in rural Kenya and some international travel.

Job Purpose: To effectively manage & direct the company’s financial & IT resources to allow the company to achieve the social and commercial objectives set by the Board, and to support franchisees to deliver high quality services to livestock keepers and to develop profitable businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify key financial risks throughout the operations and design & implement high quality, efficient & effective control systems to monitor and mitigate those risks
• Support the Director of Operations to design & implement high quality, efficient & cost-effective systems to produce relevant, accurate and timely data on franchise performance & quality
• Design & implement high quality, efficient & cost-effective IT systems which support the company’s social & commercial objectives and overall commitment to quality
• Ensure that systems remain appropriate and effective.
• Ensure the attainment of high ratings on audited accounts and systems on an annual basis
• Support the MD in preparing and monitoring annual and quarterly operational plans and budgets including key performance indicators, ensuring that early action is taken to address issues and opportunities arising there from.
• Support the MD in agreeing, monitoring and tracking key financial indicators and in taking action necessary to achieve financial targets
• Monitor compliance with the financial control environment through regular management review and internal audit (if appropriate) and take action to strengthen & improve controls when necessary
• Ensure all financial and IT activity is compliant with relevant statutory legislation and donor / contractual requirements.
• Plan & manage tax liabilities under existing and proposed legislation
• Provide excellent quality historical and forecast financial information throughout to enable managers to understand financial performance and take appropriate action.
• Manage regular performance and cash flow forecasting throughout the organisation to ensure that up to date information on financial position is available to support key management decisions.
• Support the Operations Director to assess, monitor and improve the financial performance of franchises as appropriate
• Ensure IT systems are operational, fit for purpose and support day to day business activity and that any issues arising are resolved on a timely basis
• Work with the Operations Director to design an appropriate financial training programme for franchisees
• Oversee the delivery of the financial training programme as part of a wider suite of training designed & managed by the Operations Director. Deliver training sessions where appropriate.
• Monitor quality and outputs from the training and take action to address any issues arising.
• Provide field support to franchisees as appropriate – for example on the job training, business.
• Support the MD to ensure that the company meets its obligations to FARM-Africa Enterprises and FARM-Africa UK in the contractual obligations of the grant to fund the start-up of the company.
• Ensure that all necessary financial reports on grants received are prepared on time and to a high standard according to an agreed timetable.
• Support the MD to ensure that the company understands and supports the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the grant and delivers information in a timely manner.
• Effectively manage the performance of all direct reports and ensure that the importance of financial best practice and proactive service are emphasised through the performance management system.
• Ensure that appropriate training, mentoring and support are provided for all key support services staff throughout the organisation.
• Lead on recruiting staff to ensure that candidates with appropriate knowledge and skills and with a commitment to the company’s vision & values are appointed.
• Ensure that team performance of is monitored regularly, that success and excellence are recognised and performance issues dealt with appropriately.
• Provide strategic input to the organisations development and future growth plans.
• Play a leading role, together with fellow SMT members, in the development of the overall direction of the organisation, focusing on a holistic organisational view rather than a departmental one.
• Participate in senior management team meetings and in making appropriate organisational decisions.
• Perform such additional tasks as may reasonably be requested from time to time by the MD

Required Qualifications

• Be a certified accountant and a degree holder in Business Administration with full and valid membership to a professional accounting body such as ICPAK or ACCA.
• Advanced certificate in IT or its equivalent will be an added advantage.
• Have at least 10 years financial and IT management experience which includes a commercial environment; experience in agro or animal healthcare organizations will be of particular interest;
• Have proven track record of leading effective finance & IT teams as part of a successful business in East Africa, with field based team members;
• Have experience of designing and implementing strong and effective financial and IT systems and controls for efficient financial management and performance monitoring;
• Have experience of developing and delivering effective training in financial management;
• Have strong relationship management, project management, report writing (grant and donor reporting), presentation and inter personal skills; and
• Be proficient in Ms Office – Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Power Point

Skills and Competencies

• A strong commitment to the company’s vision and values;
• Personal integrity and credibility as an inspiring & enthusiastic leader and manager;
• An innovative approach to business with strong problem-solving abilities;
• The ability to communicate clearly to a variety of people in a way that achieves the active engagement by different stakeholders;
• First-class persuasion, negotiation and relationship management skills, suited to the effective management of strategic relationships; and
• A strong empathy with rural people

How to Apply

If you are interested in the position and have the skills and talents our client is looking for, we would like to hear from you.

Please CLICK HERE to make your application online before close of business on 28th May 2015.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.