Director of Finance and Administration

Title: Director of Finance and Administration

TEAM/PROGRAMME: All programs

LOCATION: Kigali, with frequent travels to the field

POST TYPE & CONTRACT

LENGTH: Full time & Open contract

About AKA:

AKA is a registered National Non-Government Organization (NGO) operating under the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) certificate No 66/RGB/NGO/2016. AKA’s mission is providing Rwandan youth with employability skills, capital and support to take advantage of economic opportunities. Currently, AKA has successfully implemented multiple donor’s projects including Akazi Kanoze 2 (AK2), funded by The MasterCard Foundation (MCF) through Education Development Center (EDC), USAID-funded Huguka Dukore Activity, supporting youth employment, and an Educate! Exchange Project which supports capacity building and roll out of the new competence-based curriculum in Rwanda’s secondary school education system. Currently AKA is implementing numerous projects funded that include; Hanga Akazi activity, AGRA, ENABEL, promoting employement in Kirehe ( GIZ) Achieve project ( PTI) etc

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) is responsible for ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for the organization’s financial and business functions. As a part of the staff Leadership Team, the DFA is supervised by the Executive Director, and works closely with the Director of Programs to contribute to the creation and implementation of organizational strategies, policies and practices.

The DFA is a strategic, hands-on and participative manager who leads and develops an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting, administration, human resources, facilities/logistics, and IT. The DFA directs and coordinates activities of the financial and business area with other facets of the organization, including establishing and maintaining quality standards of accounting, (in accordance with “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”), overseeing the development of efficient work procedures and processes in order to increase organization’s effectiveness, providing strategic analysis and advice to the Executive Director and ensuring timely report to funders and ample security for materials, assets and information. This position oversees all administrative and accounting functions of the organization and its projects , including managing audits, directing the annual budget process, ensuring compliance with applicable contract, grants and regulatory reporting requirements, managing fiscal transactions, tracking cash flow, ensuring the timely completion of financial reporting, analyzing and interpreting statistical and accounting information and forecasting fiscal position to management.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Executive Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning and strategy

• Partners with the Executive Director on operational and strategic issues, providing recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Participates in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the staff Leadership Team (SMT).
• Oversees long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Oversees the continual improvement of accounting and administrative operational systems, processes and policies in support of the organization’s mission.
• Plays a significant role in long-term implementation planning, leading initiatives geared toward operational excellence.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director, Business Development and Fundraising team to align financial management with fundraising goals.

Financial and Operations Management

• Oversees overall financial management, planning, systems and controls for the organization.
• Oversees the general accounting function which includes inter-company transactions, cash management/reconciliation for multiple accounts, financial reporting and balance sheet management.
• Ensures that the organization’s financial records are maintained in compliance with organizational policies and GAAP.
• Creates and manages the organizational budget in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Ensures organization of fiscal documents and corporate records.
• Participates in regular meetings with Executive Director around fiscal planning.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develops annual budget, monitors revenue and expenses to insure compliance.
• Monitors financial performance of the organization.
• Reviews accounting activities to ensure that a standard level of internal controls and audit procedures and techniques are applied.
• Responsible for the oversight and review of organization payroll, monthly/quarterly account reconciliations and other filings to ensure compliance.
• Develops work procedures or processes to provide the necessary controls on the organization’s assets.
• Monitors grants and contract compliance, including timely reporting and billing.
• Ensures the organization’s financial reports are prepared in compliance with policies and directives of government granting agencies, funders and donors.
• Ensures adequate fiscal processing and systems to prepare required reports.
• Coordinates the annual financial audit, Worker’s Compensation audit, insurance audit and financial audits by grantors.
• Ensures the completion of government tax reporting requirements, insurance reports and other governmental regulation.
• Provides technical assistance to accounting and administrative staff.
• Ensures that regular updates to accounting software and systems are complete
• Accountable for ensuring departmental policies and procedures are in place and updated regularly to provide reasonable assurance that the organization’s assets are protected.
• Ensures maintenance of all financial, contract, grant, payroll and personnel files.
• Oversees long- and short-term debt retirement.
• Lead for organization’s relationships with insurance providers, bankers, external auditor, and payroll services.
• Lead on human resource benefits and compliance.

• Supervisory Responsibilities

• Hires, trains, develops and directs accounting and administrative staff.
• Ensures completion of all orientation and training requirements by direct reports.
• Motivates staff to achieve goals through individual and team supervision, coaching, goal setting, training and staff development, among other strategies.
• Reviews and evaluates staff performance.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Finance Or Accounting; a professional qualification (CPA) will be a plus;
• 5 – 7 years of Finance and Accounting experience with NGOs and/or international projects;
• Experience with QuickBooks and other Financial softwares;
• Knowledge of Rwanda tax rules and regulations;
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID, EU, MCF funded projects;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as be a team player;
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically and function well under pressure.

Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted

How to apply:Only soft copies are accepted. Those interested, please send your application (cover letter + CV/resume only) not later than June 11,2024 at 5.00pm at recruitment@akazikanoze.org and specify in subject line: Application to DAF Position@ AKA.

AKA is committed to diversity in the workplace. AKA offers a supportive work environment.

Anthony BUSINGE Executive Director Akazi Kanoze Access