The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. We aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition.
The International Finance Team forms part of the Finance & Legal Directorate and is responsible for fulfilling our management accounting and donor financial reporting requirements, and for tender and proposal budgeting. It is integral to GAIN’s processes for corporate budgeting and forecasting.
The Team consists of two units, based in London, UK and Nairobi, Kenya. The postholder leads the Nairobi-based team, which focuses on support to country programmes and the associated donor grants.
About the Role
The Manager, Finance and Compliance is a key position in the Kenya country office. This position is expected to support senior finance managers in the provision of effective, high quality financial management services to the organisation. They will oversee the financial management of a portfolio of non-US donor relationships, including compliance with contract terms, reporting to donors and managing donor audits.
They will support in the management of change, seeking continuous improvement in operational financial planning and financial monitoring and compliance within all jurisdictions in which GAIN operates and making recommendations.
- Lead in providing financial reports, analyses and recommendations for a portfolio of major programmes, which may be multi-project and/or multi-donor in scope.
- Lead the unit in developing and maintaining effective financial business partnering across a portfolio of projects. This includes ensuring that budget holders, project managers and local finance staff are supported in the financial management of the projects, receiving information, analysis and guidance as needed.
- Oversee the budget-setting and financial forecasting processes for a portfolio of programmes and projects, ensuring that processes are completed accurately and to timetable. Provide feedback to senior finance managers on the effectiveness of processes and the quality of financial forecasts.
- Developing and presenting financial reports, analysis and recommendations on major donors to senior managers, including the impact of exchange rate fluctuations for non-US dollar grants.
- Ensuring that donor reports and forecasts are submitted by the unit accurately, on time and in compliance with donor requirements, with sufficient variance analysis and context to enable transparency.
- Leading for International Finance on donor audits, ensuring that reports presented comply with the requirements of the donor and the auditor, liaising with auditors and mobilising the unit to produce reports, supporting documentation and explanations as required.
- Support the development of the finance function and ensure that the organisation's aims for equality, diversity and inclusion are taken forward.
- Ensure that GAIN's financial procedures are followed within the unit and monitor their operation within programmes and projects, reporting any significant breaches and making recommendations for improvements.
- Advise senior finance managers in determining and agreeing the most effective allocation of projects and donors between units, supporting and managing unit members through any agreed changes and ensuring that effective handover/induction takes place.
Competencies
• Excellent management, leadership and planning skills, able to lead a team to deliver results within tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong ability to be flexible and adaptable in times of unexpected challenges and provide creative solutions, whilst always maintaining GAIN’s values.
• Excellent capabilities in personal organisation and time management.
• Excellent communication skills, presenting clear written reports and verbal explanations with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Able to explain financial concepts and analyses to non-finance colleagues.
• An enthusiastic team player but able to work independently as required.
• Keen attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong IT literacy with good MS Excel, MS Word, Outlook, Internet and Power Point skills.
• Comfortable in dealing with a wide range of internal and external clients.
• Committed to a customer service culture within the team.
Experience
• Significant professional experience in grant/donor finance with good knowledge and skills in technical accounting, the financial management of restricted donor funding, and donor compliance.
• Proven experience of managing a diverse team of finance staff.
• Financial management of large, restricted funds (at least GBP 6 million grant size) with experience of multicurrency reporting and accounting.
• Experience of ERP/high-end accounting systems, experience of NAV and/or Jet Reporting an advantage.
Education
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent) (Qualified by experience considered for an exceptional candidate).
• Educated to bachelor’s degree level or equivalent an advantage.
• Line management training an advantage.
Other requirements
• Availability to travel to other GAIN offices regularly, including country programmes (up to 10%).
• Knowledge of and ability to converse in French an advantage.
The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from KES 4,301,136 – KES 4,917,408 per annum, depending on experience.
GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance. We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible and hybrid working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.
GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments, and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.
