Finance Assistant

Location: Nairobi, Kenya | Contract: 1 year, fixed-term | Full-time: 40 hours per week

About BirdLife International

BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 125 BirdLife Partners worldwide – one per country or territory – and growing. We exist to give one voice to nature, and to unite and strengthen conservation across borders. We are driven by our belief that local people, working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through our global Partnership, are the key to sustaining all life on this planet.

Responsibilities

• Partner Financial Report Review
  • Review financial reports submitted by the partner for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with donor requirements.
  • Verify supporting documentation and ensure expenditures are adequately supported.
  • Conduct budget-to-actual analysis and identify variances requiring clarification.
  • Follow up with partners on financial queries and outstanding documentation.
  • Assist in preparing financial review reports and recommendations for management.
• Partner Capacity Building and Training
  • Support the planning and delivery of financial management training for the partner.
  • Develop and update training materials, guidance notes, and reporting templates.
  • Provide ongoing mentorship and technical support to partner finance staff.
  • Assist partners in understanding donor regulations, financial policies, and reporting requirements.
  • Support assessments of partner financial systems and internal controls.
• Compliance and Financial Monitoring
  • Monitor partner compliance with grant agreements, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
  • Support partner financial monitoring visits and capacity assessments.
  • Assist in tracking partner reporting deadlines and ensuring timely submission of reports.
  • Maintain organized records of partner financial reports and supporting documentation.
• General Finance Support
  • Assist in preparing financial analyses and management reports.
  • Support audits and donor reviews involving partner expenditures.
  • Perform other finance and administrative duties as assigned by the line manager.

This role will require occasional travel, particularly to support our partner in Madagascar.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Experience: Experience in accountancy, financial management, and administration, preferably in an international and multicultural work environment. Experience in an NGO is an added advantage.
• Job-Specific Knowledge:
  • Good knowledge of financial and programme management principles and practices.
  • Experience reviewing partner financial reports and supporting donor-funded projects.
  • Experience delivering training or capacity-building initiatives is desirable.
  • Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is an added advantage.
• Skills:
  • High motivation, proactive attitude, and attention to detail.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to work to high standards with tight deadlines.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural team.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
  • Working proficiency in French (written and spoken) is required, including the ability to review and communicate financial information in both languages.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, particularly Excel, Word, and collaboration tools. Working knowledge of ERP systems is an added advantage.

Pay

KES 90,000 – 105,000 per year

Benefits

• 12% Employer pension contribution
• Medical insurance
• 22 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day per annum up to 25 days, plus bank holidays
• Christmas office closure
• Group Life Assurance
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Programme, including access to Health Assured online health portal (webinars, nutritional advice, 4-week programmes, financial wellbeing, and more)