Accountant

This position is hybrid requiring a few days per week in the WRI Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

Our vision for Africa is an inclusive transformation so Africa’s people and landscapes flourish. WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across four strategic pillars: vital landscapes, Energy, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation. The WRI Operations team supports the crucial front-line work of the organization, directly interacting and working with donors, partners, government agencies, statutory bodies, trustees, vendors, and consultants, to provide support in different operational areas and in solving problems. This support means that WRI programs can be implemented without hurdles and the program staff and researchers can develop high quality research documents, plans and implement the programs at the field level. The WRI Operations team strives for operational excellence across all functions starting with the recruitment, retention and management of WRI’s staff, our most important asset. We manage our endowment, the contributions entrusted to us, and our facilities in ways that are in line with our values and advance our mission. We maintain strict budgetary planning and financial controls to ensure that all contributions are managed in compliance with donors’ regulations.

https://www.wri.org/wri-africa

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Finance Manager, WRI Africa, you will be responsible for executing the daily accounting and bookkeeping activities mainly for WRI Kenya to ensure adherence to WRI internal controls, donor guidelines and mandated laws. WRI Kenya currently provides payments processing support other Africa countries. You will work with the Africa accounting and finance team and operations and program team, coordinating with them to ensure the smooth running of operations and coherence of procedures and systems.

What will you do:

Accounting (60%):

• Ensure accounting and financial transactions are well supported before payment processing and booking in the accounting system
• Book financial transactions in Costpoint accounting system. Work with programs staff, operations staff and accounting team from the global office to ensure transactions have the right charge and accounting codes
• Review journal entries, analyze General Ledger (GL) accounts, and accrue required expenses each month
• Perform reclasses for incorrectly coded transactions
• Support internal, external and donor audits by preparing schedules and providing supporting documents
• Prepare bank reconciliations for review by the Finance manager
• Manage the advances and receivables from staff
• Manage the credit card issued to staff Ensuring that the expenses are reported on time and reconciliations prepared
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly close
• Maintain an optimal archival system of accounting and finance documents (Soft and Hard copies)
• Monitor cash position of WRI Kenya to ensure liquidity and support the Finance Manager in preparing the quarterly fund requests

Payments Processing (30%):

• Prepare and process payments to vendors both in Kenya and across the Africa region where WRI operates
• Process advances to staff
• Work with the program staff on processing of mobile money to participants
• Responsible for reconciliation of mobile money GL account
• Ensure timely payment and submission of payroll statutory returns (PAYE, NSSF, NHIF, Housing Levy, etc.) and other taxes such as Withholding Taxes to the relevant government bodies

Payroll Management & Finance Administration (10%):

• Support the finance manager in preparing payroll ensuring accurate calculations. Send pay slips to staff
• Responsible for sending annual P9A to staff
• Support the updating of current financial policies and procedures and implementation of new financial policies and procedures
• Work with the Administration Manager to maintain an updated organization’s fixed asset register
• Support the Administration Manager in procurement, Logistics, and contract execution
• Offer timesheet guidance to current and new employees
• Work with program and core staff to ensure timesheets are submitted on a timely basis.

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance or related field. You are a CPA finalist
• Experience: You have 3+ years full-time work experience in an accounting or finance department with an international NGO
• You have experience working with donor funded projects
• You have experience working with accounting software such as SAP, Deltek, Sage, or Costpoint
• Languages: Verbal and written English proficiency
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.

Potential Salary:

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 23 February 2024. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.