Senior Business Support Officer I (Senior Project Accountant)

Overall Purpose of the Job

The position holder will be responsible for the financial management and accounting for a portfolio of  projects.

Specific Duties

•  Ensuring financial compliance with icipe standards and donor requirements in the discharge of  assigned responsibilities. 
•  Approve staff surrenders and claims in line with icipe’s financial policies and donor regulations.
•  Preparation of financial management reports for internal discussions.
•  Preparation of financial management reports for programme committee discussions.
•  Preparation of financial reports in conformity with various donors’ requirements for timely  submissions. 
•  Facilitation of periodic project audits.
•  Conduct due diligence checks and carry out financial and administrative capacity assessments  for new partners.
•  Facilitate financial management aspects in the onboarding of project partners.
•  Creation of accounts for new partners and management of partner accounts in icipe’s financial  system.
•  Assess, plan, and conduct capacity-building activities for project partners.
•  Facilitate timely disbursement of funds to project partners.
•  Ensure successful closure of partner accounts upon conclusion of the partnerships.
•  Other related tasks as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, economics, or a related field.
•  Professional qualification in accountancy (CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent).
•  Membership with relevant qualification’s regulatory body.
•  Experience in providing financial management and accounting support to various stakeholders  through the whole project’s life cycle (at least 4 years of practical relevant work experience). 
• Relevant exposure to auditing will be desirable.

Other Desirable Attributes

•  Ability to study and familiarize with the Centre’s documents (Financial Rules & Regulations,  Procurement Manual, Whistleblower policy, Anti-fraud and ant-corruption policy…etc.) and donorspecific requirements.
•  Ability to study and familiarize with the Centre’s systems.
•  Ability to interpret, resolve, and adapt decisions within established guidelines and directions in the  execution of tasks.
•  Capacity to function effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
•  Ability to search for common ground in problem-solving.
•  Ability to develop solutions and recommend changes and/or to introduce new procedures and  practices in a consultative manner.
•  Expected to develop solutions and recommend changes and/or to introduce new procedures and  practices in a consultative manner.
•  Expected to coach and mentor direct reports.
•  Provide support to the research themes and units to ensure adequate financial implementation  and management of financial resources in line with the icipe financial policies and donor  regulations.
•  Support vote holders in proposal budget processes for complete and accurate budget development.
•  Carry out financial management supervision for partners including follow-up and review of partner  reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance from onboarding to close out.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Project Accounting Manager.