ICIPE Financial Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

ICIPE Financial Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

icipe—International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology—is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences.

Employing close to 500 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya.

icipe has a proud reputation and history of
delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities, and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity.

The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research
organisations, not only across Africa, but also the globe. In addition, 100–150 graduate students and a number of postdoctoral fellows contribute to icipe’s research portfolio annually.

The position is tenable at the icipe Duduville Campus, and is available to commence immediately. The position will be offered for an initial contract of 2 years, which may be renewable subject to continued project needs, funding for the position and
performance of the staff member.

A competitive and generous compensation package that includes housing and transport allowances, child
education allowance up to university first degree, comprehensive health and life insurance cover, and an offshore retirement package (all payable in US Dollars), will be offered to the right candidate. Furthermore, the incumbent will receive paid annual vacation, return airfare for themselves and their dependents to their nominated home base each year, and duty-free privileges.

If the successful candidate is appointed from outside Kenya, he or she will be offered support to relocate and settle in Nairobi.

Qualified candidates from Africa (and especially females) are invited to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged. Living in Nairobi and Mbita, Kenya Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, with a population of over three million, and hosts all the urban and social amenities and offers a comfortable, convenient and pleasurable life.

Job purpose

The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund is one of the flagship programmes of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), an initiative by African governments to address systemic gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long-term, sustained
economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

PASET was launched in 2013 by the governments of Senegal, Ethiopia and Rwanda. The governments of Kenya and Ivory Coast have since joined the initiative, while several others have expressed commitment to enter the partnership.

With funding from African governments, the World Bank and the Korean government, RSIF aims to support PhD training, and research and innovation in various African universities selected as centres of excellence in fields identified by PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development, including food security, ICT and materials science.

A competitive grants scheme, RSIF has two components: (i) the general fund, which supports
PhD training, research and innovation projects annually; and (ii) the permanent or endowment fund, whose return proceeds will become part of the general fund.

In July 2018, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org) was appointed the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) of RSIF. The mandate of the RCU includes managing the two funds and supporting the capacity of the universities and partnering institutions to administer the PhD scholarships.

The assignment also includes creating partnerships with governments, universities and national and international research organisations for research training, e.g. through sandwich training, to promote collaboration with and
among the centres of excellence. As well, the RCU will help introduce more African governments and other potential strategic partners to PASET to fund and to ensure continued continent-wide support.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, the position holder will take the lead in providing financial management to ensure fundamental principles of financial management, financial accountability, internal controls, record keeping, compliance, financial

integrity, planning, budgeting, cash-flow management and financial reporting of the RCU.

The Financial Management Specialist will support the RCU Manager in planning, monitoring and decision making processes, to achieve the best value in use of resources, and provide quality information, financial
analysis, training and professional advice to host institutions.

Specific duties

The successful candidate is expected to:

Ensure financial management processes adhere to financial policies and procedures of icipe and donors;

Facilitate meticulous financial record keeping;

Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports;

Provide general oversight in the management of financial data in the accounting system, budgeting, asset management, and cash flow management as per financial policies and procedures and application of
generally accepted accounting principles;

Oversee the disbursement of funds and financial reporting by collaborating institutions for effective
execution of project activities;

Continuously review RCU’s financial management strategies, policies and procedures for improvement;

Develop and manage sound partner relationships and capacity building for effective and responsible
project fund management;

Develop and maintain financial reporting and monitoring tools;

Facilitate other programme monitoring and evaluation activities, including periodic review and planning meetings, and budget revisions;

Facilitate external Programme audits and ensure the implementation of audit recommendations;

Support the RCU Manager in resource mobilisation activities, including proposal development and
budgeting;

Capacity building of partners;

Contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures for cash management, investments,as well as financial reporting within the programme;

Oversee the day-to-day management of the programme’s general and permanent funds within the
guidelines set by the Investment Committee;

Keep abreast of developments in the money market, reviews, the credit ratings and general health of
custodial financial institutions where the funds’ investments are held to safeguard the assets of the
programme;

Provide primary level oversight of the independent Fund Manager by reviewing their research and analysis and identifying necessary changes to the funds’ composition.

Prepare investment reports and coordinate investment meetings, including those of the investment committee.

Requirements/Qualifications

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Project Management or related
specialisation.

At least 10 years’ relevant experience, five of which should be in an international organisation working on grants accounting and reporting.

CPA (K) or equivalent professional qualification.

Core competencies

Demonstrable experience in financial management of donor-funded development programmes.

Leadership and management skills.

Knowledge of results-based management processes is an added advantage.

Proven experience working with multi-stakeholder projects.

Excellent record keeping and computer data management skills. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems will be an added advantage.

Other desirable attributes

Result oriented with ability to work under pressure and independently to meet set goals.

Professionalism and integrity: Application of ethics, principles, standards and expertise in all areas of work.

Interpersonal relations: Good networking and interpersonal relationships skills.

Good team worker: Ability to relate with others in mutual support and respect towards common goals and shared vision.

Ability to work effectively within a diverse and multicultural environment.

Innovation and creativity: Ability to generate new ideas and ways of working to continuously improve
existing work processes, practices, and concepts.

Willingness to travel.

Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of partners from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted up to 19th October 2018.
Interested applicants should submit:

a confidential cover letter;

detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers);

a statement illustrating suitability against the listed qualifications/competencies/abilities, and skills.

For more information and job application details, see; ICIPE Financial Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

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