Senior Finance Officer

The Senior Finance Officer at Helen Keller International is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing donor-funded project finances, and ensuring compliance with both internal policies and Kenyan regulatory requirements. This role involves overseeing the general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, and statutory deductions while providing crucial support for reporting, budget management, and audit processes.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Accounting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date general ledger records, ensuring timely completion of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes in alignment with the global financial calendar.
• Process and review accounts payable, payroll, petty cash, and other financial transactions in compliance with internal policies and donor regulations.
• Prepare and review monthly bank reconciliations and manage cash flow and liquidity to support program operations.
• Ensure timely remittance of statutory deductions (PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, and withholding taxes) and maintain proper documentation according to Kenyan regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the Finance Manager to manage multi-currency transactions and ensure compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
• Maintain an accurate fixed asset register, ensuring proper accounting for acquisitions, disposals, and depreciation.
• Ensure timely vendor payments in accordance with SLAs and organizational policies.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of general ledger balances and schedules.
• File withholding, monthly taxes, and annual returns.

Reporting & Budget Management

• Prepare accurate and timely donor financial reports, reconciling them with the general ledger and ensuring compliance with donor-specific formats and deadlines.
• Contribute to monthly Budget vs. Actuals (BvA) reports and provide detailed variance analyses with commentary for management.
• Support the development and review of project proposal budgets, realignments, and cost extensions.
• Provide financial data and analysis to support strategic planning and resource allocation decisions.
• Consolidate and submit routine financial reports in accordance with internal deadlines.

Compliance, Internal Controls & Audit

• Implement, monitor, and strengthen internal financial controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Maintain a well-organized filing system (electronic and physical) for all financial records.
• Flag any weaknesses or irregularities in internal controls and recommend corrective actions.
• Support internal and external audit processes, including preparation of audit schedules and management responses.
• Stay current with Kenyan statutory requirements and donor regulations (e.g., USAID, EU, GAVI).

Capacity Building & Cross-Functional Support

• Provide financial orientation and guidance to non-finance staff and interns.
• Support the Finance Manager in developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Contribute to the adoption and effective use of the financial management systems.
• Perform any other finance-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA(K), ACCA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting.
• At least 3 years of experience in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded project finances (USAID, EU, GAVI, DFID, or equivalent).
• Proven experience preparing financial reports, BvA analyses, and supporting external audits.
• Experience conducting thorough reviews of supporting documents to verify authenticity and policy alignment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their cover letter and a curriculum vitae as a single document, along with copies of relevant certificates, to kenya.recruitment@hki.org. Please indicate the position title in the subject line of the email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; early submissions are encouraged. The deadline for application is 10th April 2026.