Controller and Grant officer At Light for the World

Light for the World is a global development organisation. We empower people with disabilities and enable eye health services in low-income countries. Over the last three decades we improved health systems, enabled education for all, and amplified the voices of people with disabilities
Our programmes include:

Our programmes include:

• Eye Health – preventing blindness and promoting eye health for all
• Inclusive Education – ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education
• Inclusive Economic Empowerment – ensuring that barriers are removed for men and women with disabilities to access decent work and business opportunities

In line with its economic empowerment strategy, Light for the World with funding from Mastercard Foundation will implement an 8 year project dubbed We Can Work, a regional signature disability program that uses a system and mindset change approach to impact the lives of at least 1,000,000 young women and men with disabilities and enables them to access dignified and fulfilling work. The program works with umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and Entrepreneurship Hubs in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

We focus on the poorest and hardest to reach because that’s where we will have the biggest impact. In Kenya, our country strategy for the year 2021-2025 focuses on Inclusive Economic Empowerment, and disability inclusion. We do this using the twin track approach of capacity building of persons with disabilities, and building system strengthening so that barriers for employment and entrepreneurship are removed.

Currently, Light for the World Kenya implements projects across nine counties, in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Meru, Laikipia, Kisumu, Kakamega, Migori and Homa Bay, with the country office being located in Nairobi.

Throughout the eight-year partnership intervention, the key ingredients of our work with young women and men with disabilities in the lead wil be:

• engaging caregivers and communities through positive and empowering messaging around disability and inclusion;
• driving co-creation processes to inform inclusive economic development;
• developing agency of young women and men with disabilities through the We Can Work Academy; and amplifying voices of young persons with disabilities.

Light for the world therefore seeks the services of a Controller and Grants Officer to support the above project

Role profile:

Reporting to the Head of Finance and Operations but with a functional link with the Programme Manager We Can Work (WCW) Programme, the role ensures in-country implementation of agreed financial processes and in particular related to the We Can Work Programme.

The role holder will prepare the annual financial plan for the programme based on a good understanding of the work-plan and activities, in alignment with the accounting and programme team. The role holder will ensure in-country monitoring and financial analysis, as well as collaboratively steering of the We Can Work project together with the programme team and contributes to a good quality of data in compliance with international, accounting and donor standards.

The role will also ensure strong collaboration and alignment with the in-country programme department; with focus on financial data, including internal reports (e.g. programme team, management team) and external reporting (e.g. donors).

Lastly, the role contributes to Risk Management, and will update programmes and the organization on any kind of risks that we might encounter.

Key responsibilities:

Implementation of agreed financial processes and systems

• Ensure in-country implementation of agreed internal financial processes, as well as financial processes in relation to the programmes particularly WCW.
• Ensure in-country controlling processes are aligned with accounting standards.
• Application of and compliance with agreed organisation systems.

Ensures collaboration with accounting & programmes

• In alignment with the programme department, feed activity planning into financial planning.
• Provide feedback to programme team on the performance on project, contribute to steering grants and projects; and ensure good information flow between the programme team and the finance team.
• Support the accounting team with the organizational financial audits and other cross-cutting topics between accounting and controlling.

Conducts financial planning, monitoring and analysis

• Maintain overview of the financial situation of the country (e.g. current and planned activities).
• Ensure that financial planning is conducted according to agreed processes.
• Ensure monitoring of programme budget v actuals.
• Monitor the liquidity situation of specific grants under their area of responsibility.
• Ensure data of the financial transactions is of high quality.
• Review partner reports and provide feedback.

Financial reporting

• Prepare donor reporting, in compliance with donor requirements.
• Prepare donor audits.

Ensuring internal & external compliance on financial aspects

• Ensure financial compliance of the donor contracts, incl. sub-grants for partners.
• Responsible for the financial aspect of the partner assessment.
• Responsible for capacity strengthening of partners on financial aspects.
• Ensure financial compliance with donor regulations and international standards for reporting – for both country office programmes and implementing partners.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s degree in accounting, finance or related field with additional qualifications such as CPA or CFA certification.
• 4-7 years of professional work experience, with some knowledge or background in non-profits or grant making and/or project management systems.
• Experience in budget management
• Financial or business management and analysis skills
• Experience managing large scale projects.
• Computer literacy with a high level of knowledge and practice using Microsoft Office, notably Word, Excel and PowerPoint and financial software packages.
• Knowledge of post-award compliance best practices.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures/rules and regulations clearly and their implications.

What we can offer as an employer: We are offering an outstanding opportunity to bring about change through an international development organisation with strong expertise, a growing profile, and a dedicated team. You find a culture of people that are open to ideas, working with you, learning from you, and celebrating your milestones. A supportive management that invests in your personal development and growth, and a competent, market-based pay.

Ideal Entry date: 1st May 2023