Founded in 1988, AERC was established to address the disconnect between economic research and policy implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization has grown into a leading capacity-building institution, renowned for its robust economic research, postgraduate training, and impactful policy outreach.
About the role
AERC seeks a visionary CFO to lead its General Shared Services Division, including Finance, Procurement, and HR Management. As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the CFO will partner with the Executive Director to oversee the consortium’s financial resources, develop and maintain financial and administrative policies, and create annual budgets. This role involves forecasting financial needs, advising on long-term financial strategies, leading fundraising efforts, and managing risk assessment functions to ensure compliance with legal standards, policies, and donor requirements while maintaining financial transparency. Additionally, the CFO will play a crucial role in navigating AERC through its organizational review as it prepares for the next three-year strategy cycle. This entails driving change management initiatives, particularly in policy formulation and the restructuring of operational and HR management frameworks to align with AERC’s evolving strategic goals.
Key dimensions of the role
Based in Kenya, the CFO’S responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
General Management and Administration
- Managing the Resources Division; overseeing Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources.
- Advising the Executive Director on finance and administration, enhancing decision-making and risk assessment.
- Participating in key meetings, contributing to the consortium’s strategic and business planning processes.
Treasury & Risk Management
- Developing and implementing investment strategies while acting as the primary contact for investment managers.
- Engaging with both internal and external auditors to ensure rigorous follow-through on audit and risk issues.
- Managing currency risks and overseeing the consortium’s insurance policies to protect its financial health.
Financial Management, Transparency, and Compliance
- Ensuring all financial operations adhere to consortium policies, aiming for transparency and compliance.
- Reviewing and updating financial management policies and manuals to adapt to changing needs.
- Coordinating audits and managing financial risks, including making critical end-of-year financial adjustments.
Fundraising & Grant Management
- Reviewing donor proposals to ensure all financial aspects are correctly addressed.
- Managing financial reporting for grants, including monitoring expenditures and variances.
- Overseeing grant-related risks and ensures compliance with donor conditions and audit recommendations.
Human Resource Function
- Leading the HR function, aligning strategies with organizational goals and managing staff performance.
- Managing HR processes including recruitment, job classification, and staff development.
- Ensuring compliance with labor laws and oversees the safeguarding policy to protect consortium members.
General Office Administration Function
- Establishing robust administrative systems to support effective program execution.
- Developing and enforcing performance standards for administrative and financial services.
- Managing office systems and oversees the administration of key policies and the Provident Fund.
Procurement Function
- Providing strategic leadership for the procurement function, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
- Setting up a procurement governance framework to monitor and manage procurement activities.
- Establishing performance indicators to evaluate and improve procurement processes.
Skills and experience
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, along with CPA (K) or equivalent.
- Over ten years of managerial experience with a focus on financial resources management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial management and compliance with AML and FATCA.
- Experienced in Grant and Fundraising Management and adept in Enterprise Risk Management.
- Strategic thinker with strong leadership qualities and high ethical standards.
- Excellent financial management skills and proficient in using financial management software and MS Office.
To apply for this position please provide an up-to-date CV.
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