Finance Officer

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Center for Evaluation and Development is a non-profit organization and registered charity that provides evidence on what works, for whom, when, why and under which circumstances in the development sector. It conducts excellent, rigorous and independent research that meets the highest standards of quantitative and qualitative analysis, and collaborates with renowned partners like UNICEF, ILO, the World Bank, KfW and GIZ. It is an Associate Member of the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and regularly partners with J-PAL Europe in training and research.

JOB SUMMARY

Education, Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred.Professional qualification such as CPA (K), or ACCA strongly preferred.Minimum of 3–4 years’ experience in grant and contract financial management, preferably within an international NGO or development organization.Proven experience in proposal budget development and donor financial reporting.Proficiency in QuickBooks accounting System.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and MS Office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant & Contract Financial ManagementOversee financial accounting for all grant-funded projects and contracts, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance.Monitor expenditures against approved budgets and forecasts; analyze variances and provide timely financial advice to management and program teams.Prepare and submit grant and contract financial reports in line with donor guidelines and deadlines.Ensure timely invoicing, fund drawdowns, receipts, and cash-flow management for grants and contracts.Participate in cross-departmental grant and contract management meetings and ensure follow-up on agreed actions.Budgeting & ForecastingSupport development of proposal budgets in collaboration with program and development teamsMonitor budget execution and prepare forecasts to identify potential risks, overruns, or funding gaps.Support preparation of quarterly and annual budgets and forecasts for grant-funded programs and contracts.Ensure alignment between narrative and financial reports submitted to donors.Donor Compliance, Risk & Audit ManagementEnsure compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and legal requirements.Conduct regular expenditure reviews to ensure proper cost allocation and compliance.Coordinate and support internal and external audits related to grants and contracts.Identify financial risks and recommend process improvements to strengthen internal controls.Accounting, Payments & Statutory ComplianceProcess payments, staff advances, petty cash, and supplier invoices.Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure timely posting in accounting systems.Perform bank and balance sheet reconciliations.Support payroll processing and ensure compliance with Kenyan statutory requirements (KRA, NSSF, SHA, Housing Levy etc).Donor, Partner & Internal RelationsSupport donor and partner financial reporting in line with agreements and internal timelines.Respond to donor and partner financial queries professionally and promptly.Ensure complete, accurate, and accessible filing of grant and sub-grant financial documentation.Capacity Building & SupportProvide technical guidance to program teams, partners, and consultants on grant financial management.Develop and share financial tools, templates, SOPs, and guidance notes to strengthen grant management capacity.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Accounting, Grant and fund management, Budgeting, financial planning, Reporting, Accounts payable

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree