Accountant
USAID Kenya Primary Education Evaluation and Assessment Program (KPEEAP)
SCOPE OF WORK
DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments. More information about DAI can be found on the DAI website (www.dai.com).
Project Background
The Kenya Primary Education Evaluation and Assessment Program (KPEEAP) is a four-year USAID education project supporting Kenya’s Ministry of Education (MOE) and other relevant semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs) through improved collection, integration, and use of education data and technology. The project objectives include:
- Assess student learning progress under the Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP), including developing a more cost-effective and sustainable assessment system,
- Strengthen the GOK’s education data management systems for improved accountability, and
- Support capacity building, technical assistance and training that advance the goals and objectives of KPLP, KPEEAP, and the MOE.
Mastering early grade reading is essential for a child’s future success both in education and life. Children who fail to develop literacy skills early in their lives face increasing challenges in their academic progress, which can limit their economic opportunities as adults. KPEEAP will build out a more effective and sustainable early grade reading assessment system, strengthen and integrate the MOE’s education data management systems, and strengthen capacity across Kenyan schools and education officials to monitor and support student progress. By improving assessment systems and enabling data-driven decision making, the project supports the MOE to boost literacy outcomes and close learning gaps. In partnership with the MOE and other key stakeholders, KPEEAP will help ensure that more Kenyan students meet national reading benchmarks, ultimately preparing them for greater success in school and beyond while contributing to Kenya’s broader development goals.
Objectives and Duties
The Accountant will establish and maintain adequate system controls, implement and enforce all financial policies and procedures, and coordinate financial reporting activities. Will provide accounting and financial analysis support to the program office and will ensure the submission of financial reports based on internal deadlines.
Essential Duties
Reporting
- Support reporting of financial management activities (i.e. monthly and quarterly reporting) and ensure any contractual financial reporting requirements are adhered to.
- Ensure project assets/inventory report is balanced against the general ledger/FAS prior to submission to USAID.
- Ensure tax reporting procedures are well documented to facilitate preparation and submission in a timely manner.
- Review and submit monthly reconciliation reports.
- Develop and submit other project reports necessary and based on registration requirements to local authorities.
- Track and report on partner/vendor payment schedules and obligations.
- Coordinate annual budgets of expenditure and quarterly forecasts against budget statements (accruals, pipelines, etc.), as applicable.
Audit
- Support preparation of internal and external audits, including responses and actions to comments.
- Perform regular spot audits on project’s files.
- Conduct regular reviews of backup documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with all regulations and the Field Operations Manual (FOM).
- Ensure adequate backup documentation is uploaded to relevant system according to set deadlines.
Policies and Procedures
- Ensure that accounting policies and practices are carried out in accordance with USAID/DAI standards; project internal controls are established and implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID rules/regulations and the terms of the contract.
General Accounting Management
- Process and account for project expenditures.
- Review wire requests for field project implementation.
- Conduct regular cash flow analyses to ensure availability of funds and the accurate maintaining of bank balances.
- Responsible for accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments.
- Ensures the timely deposit of cash receipts.
- Responsible for ensuring petty cash is maintained at a feasible level for operational activities and that petty cash procedures are followed in coordination with the Procurement and Administration Officer and Finance and Administration Manager.
- Ensures the safeguard of bank checks, and cash receipts.
- Maintains file management systems for soft and hard copy documentation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or an equivalent from a recognized university at a minimum.
- 6+ years of relevant experience and progressive responsibility in finance and accounting; experience working on USAID-funded activities preferred.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA- K).
- Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes (including procurement, local subcontract agreements, and so on).
- Demonstrated report writing skills in English is required.
- Computer literate with e-mail and word processing. Excellent knowledge of MS Excel.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks and work as part of a team.
Location and Reporting
The location for this position is KPEEAP Office (remote in Nairobi, Kenya). The Accountant will report to the Finance and Administration Manager.
How to apply
Only applications submitted here will be considered.
