JOB PURPOSE:
- The Finance & Operations Specialist will provide comprehensive financial and coordination support to the Country Director and HTI Kenya-based team. They will ensure accurate accounting, compliance, and efficient operations, as well as managing a range of program-based tasks to support HTI’s mission in Kenya.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Finance Support:
- Assist the Country Director and Headquarters Finance Team with financial operations while maintaining compliance with financial, administrative, and procurement procedures.
- Handle general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, and bank reconciliations.
- Ensure compliance with Kenya regulatory and statutory requirements, including but not limited to PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, NITA, HELB, withholding tax, and vendor tax obligations.
- Make and record bank deposits.
- Safeguard and record petty cash.
- Coordinate and process payments for in-country travel and operational expenses.
- Process payroll and ensure deductions are accurately processed and remitted.
- Prepare and process month end and year end close.
- Generate budget vs. actual reports, as well as additional financial reports.
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements, including reporting.
- Participate in annual audits and tax filings with external auditors, accountants, and HTI headquarters team.
- Ensure accurate capital asset accounting.
Program Coordination:
- Ensure effective coordination across program activities through direct ownership and in collaboration with Kenya-based team.
- Coordinate logistical aspects of meetings, trainings, and events, including booking venues, managing catering, setting up rooms, and ensuring all materials and equipment are in place.
- Prepare, print, and organize training materials, participant packs, and evaluation forms, working closely with the Assistant Legal Advisor to ensure accuracy and completeness of content.
- Collaborate with Legal Advisor on participant communication, invitations, confirmations, and attendance tracking to ensure smooth event execution.
- Support travel needs of Country Director, Kenya based team, as well as external partners, including booking accommodation & transportation.
- Maintain audit‑ready documentation for operational activities, including contracts, attendance sheets, mentoring logs, procurement files, and meeting minutes.
- Support drafting, lead the processing and approvals of vendor contracts, and proactively identify and engage appropriate vendors as needed.
- Ensure partner contact lists are up to date.
- Provide hands‑on logistical support prior to and during events, including registration, room setup, materials distribution, and troubleshooting any operational issues.
Operational Support:
- Provide operational support to the Country Director and Kenya‑based team, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations.
- Schedule internal and external meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes, and track action items to ensure timely follow‑up and clear documentation, in partnership with the Assistant Legal Advisor.
- Perform assigned administrative tasks
- Maintain workspace readiness, which will include office supplies, procurement, equipment functionality, and inventory management.
- Manage office vendors and service providers to ensure uninterrupted operations.
- Assist with IT coordination and troubleshooting.
- Attend meetings, retreats, and other HTI events to provide administrative support and facilitate logistical arrangements.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND & CAREER EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field.
- 3-5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in financial support roles.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated understanding of Kenyan local tax laws.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across diverse teams and cultures.
- Takes ownership of responsibilities, decisions, and outcomes.
- Prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines and manage workload.
- Ability to deliver high-quality work quickly and with minimal supervision.
- Thrives in dynamic, often unpredictable environments, with the ability to quickly adjust to shifting priorities.
- Works effectively across departments and with external partners to contribute to team success.
- Meticulously reviews work product to ensure clear attention to detail.
- Convey messages clearly, accurately, and concisely both in written and verbal communication.
- Acts with honesty, transparency, and maintains confidentiality.
- Proactively identifies opportunities or areas for improvement and acts without being prompted.
- Proficient in using Microsoft Office suite.