Finance & Administration Officer Vacancy in Kenya


Green Zone Agencies (GZA) Ltd. is an agribusiness company founded in 2004 as a private- sector company to provide agribusiness development services to small, medium and large scale farmers in Kenya and incorporated under the Companies Act (Cap. 486) in June 2011.

The firm is an inputs and services provider whose core businesses are in agricultural engineering, agronomy, crop protection and agribusiness management/business skills.

GZA’s mission is geared at improving farming by offering top-notch agribusiness solutions for increased income, food security and sustainability.

GZA implements its programs and business through various partners in various regions in Kenya and has its headquarters in Kisumu, Kenya.

GZA recently partnered with USAID under a 2-year USAID-KHCP (US Agency for International Development — Kenya Horticultural Competitiveness Partnership) Program for Soil and Water Management Technologies for Improved Productivity and Food Security in Nyanza Province.

The overall goal of the USAID-KHCP Program is to increase rural household incomes and generate employment from growth and sustenance of a highly competitive horticulture sector.

To effectively contribute to this, the program will increase the utilization and/or adoption of improved productivity measures for Kenyan horticulture producers through diversification, improved management practices and processing.

Finance & Administration Officer

Reporting to: Managing Director and Projects Coordinator

Primary Working relations: Managing Director, Projects Coordinator and Agronomists.

Duty Station: Kisumu.

Job Summary: As the Finance & Administration Officer, you will be responsible for preparing financial statements, maintaining cash controls, preparing the payroll and personnel administration, purchasing, maintaining accounts payable and managing office operations.

You must work within the Kenya Revenue Authority Regulations and other relevant legislation such as the Employment Act (2007). You must also maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties of the Finance & Administration Officer.

Your core responsibilities will include, but not limited to:
  • In consultation with GZA management, set up, administer and monitor GZA’s financial system (in QuickBooks) in order to ensure that the GZA’s finances are maintained in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Maintain the accounts payable and accounts receivable systems in order to ensure complete and accurate records of all moneys and transactions.
  • In liaison with GZA Project Coordinator, administer employee files and records in order to ensure accurate payment of benefits and allowances.
  • Maintain an electronic payroll system in QuickBooks software in order to ensure that employees are paid in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Entering data and maintaining manual and computerised prime accounting records.
  • Prepare Profit & loss accounts and Balance sheet.
  • Prepare Monthly Cash Flow
  • Provide efficient and effective office management services and administrative support.
  • Input Invoices for services rendered and goods sold, processing payment of supplier invoices ensuring that they are processed in accordance with GZA’s Rules for Financial Control; Invoice payment monitoring and collection from clients and regular updates on outstanding balances;
  • Maintaining up-to-date information on exchange rates and circulating to GZA management.
  • Compiling monthly Debtors & Creditors report.
  • Administration, reconciliation and weekly/monthly reporting to Project Coordinator and/or Director of petty cash and all bank accounts;
  • Manage the GZA’s finance and oversee all local procurement ensuring that donor and Organization’s policies are adhered to.
  • Submit monthly returns to the relevant statutory bodies (i.e. Kenya Revenue Authority, NHIF, HELB and NSSF).
  • Prepare and manage cash flow projections.
  • Support Projects Coordinator and field agronomists in drafting budgets, preparing field documentation, and submission of field returns.
  • Implementing GZA internal controls and at its related offices.
  • Ensure financial performance monitoring of GZA and its related offices and businesses.
  • Preparing regular monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.
  • Any other relevant duties assigned by the Project Coordinator and/or Managing Director.
Contract period: 2 years (renewable)

Qualifications & Experience:
  • Must have at least a CPA Section 4.
  • Candidates with a Degree in Accounting will have an added advantage.
  • Must have a minimum of 3 years working experience related to the above job description.
  • Must be aware of USAID funding regulations and have complied with them in their course of duty.
  • Competence in computer accounting packages is a pre-requisite.
  • Ability to work in a complex environment, with short deadlines.
  • Must have good financial report writing skills.
  • Candidates with a background working in horticulture or agriculture-related environment will have an added advantage
Skills required:
  • Ability to work well with others.
  • Ability to keep detailed and accurate financial records.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Ability to use excellent time management skills.
  • Ability to design and implement financial systems.
  • Ability to work extended hours.
  • Ability to pay attention to detail.
  • Ability to oversee multiple financial records and systems.
Female candidates are strongly advised to apply.

If you meet the above qualifications and experiences, kindly send a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae with your daytime contacts (cell phone number) to The Projects Coordinator, Green Zone Agencies (GZA) by e-mail to oekesa@gza.co.ke and copied to botieno@gza.co.ke to reach us latest 12pm on Friday March 23, 2012. Late applications will not be considered.

Note:
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates must be prepared to attend an interview in Kisumu on Saturday March 24. 2012.