Accountant
USAID FTF Kenya Private Sector Activity (KPSA)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
About Palladium:
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.
Project Overview and Role:
The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.
The Project Accountant is responsible for establishing and maintaining the project’s financial system, including accounting procedures for invoicing, payroll, and all project expenses as well as overall budget management of the project.
Roles and Responsibilities
Liaise with the home office’s accounting department, PMU team and KPSA’s Director of Finance and Administration to manage and troubleshoot project accounting issues as they may arise
Reconcile project accounting and provide back-up documentation of all financial transactions into monthly accounting package to home office
Establish and maintain electronic accounting tracking mechanisms, per Palladium and USAID accounting standards
Conduct monthly audits of local expenditures as reported by the Field Office, including local bank reconciliation and US dollar expenses
Review all local expenses for billing purposes
Produce accurate and timely financial reports
Maintain all accounting records
Act as first point of contact with local bank
Submit procurement plans, DA-1s and all other administrative requirements to comply with USAID and GoK VAT exemption and reimbursement procedures
Monitor vendor invoices and disburse payments upon approval of the COP or designated approver
Budget Management
Oversee finance and accounting procedures
Review monthly budget reports to ensure accuracy
Indicate project activity numbers for billings and expenses so that Project Specialist can input into budget tracking tool
Prepare monthly cash forecasts for COP’s review and approval
Procurement
Oversee the financial aspect of procurement of goods and services for the project, ensuring compliance with Palladium and USAID policies
Review invoices for local services for the project
Position Requirements
Relevant degree in accounting, finance, business administration or other related fields
4-5 years of experience in finance and accounting
Experience with USAID accounting/financial procedures preferred
Microsoft office suite proficiency and the ability to operate spreadsheet and word-processing programs at a highly proficient level
Proactive problem-solving, decision-making and good judgment skills
Demonstrated ability and commitment to manage confidential information
Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
Ability to communicate effectively with managers, colleagues, service providers and clients
Professional and mature demeanour and conduct
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.