Aceli Africa is a market-enabling facility that aims to mobilize over $600M in private sector lending for agricultural SMEs in East and Southern Africa by 2025. To achieve this goal, Aceli Africa provides financial incentives to increase the risk appetite of 30+ financial institutions (both global and local) to make loans ranging from USD $25K-$1.5M to inclusive agricultural SMEs while also facilitating technical assistance to expand the ability of high-potential SMEs to qualify for and manage financing.

Financial incentives have been designed based on a dataset that Aceli Africa gathered and analyzed in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors. This data incorporates loan-level and portfolio-level profitability for agricultural SME lending from 35 financial institutions, including commercial banks, local non-bank financial institutions, and global social lenders, and covers 13,000+ transactions totaling $4B+.

Aceli launched in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda in September 2020 and is drawing upon learning to date and interest from partners to expand to Zambia in Q4 2023. Aceli’s work across the region is funded by leading bilateral and philanthropic donors, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IKEA Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and USAID.

The role holder will be a crucial member of Aceli Africa’s dynamic and growing team and will work closely with the Head of Finance & Operations in managing financial operations, budgeting, accounting, and reporting, as well as overseeing audit, compliance, procurement, IT and risk management in line with Aceli’s strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities;

Finance (Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting)

• Implement Aceli’s guidelines for budget and forecast preparation and participate in the preparation of the annual budgets in consultation with Head of Finance & Operations and the Executive Office.
• Provide quality assurance of budgeting activities, paying attention to compliance and adherence to internal controls, donor regulations and financial strategies.
• Ensure efficient and strong budget follow-up and cost control, including timely closure of the monthly accounting, achievement of the shared allocation costs rules, timely booking of expenses and reconciliations.
• Work with the Head of Finance & Operations to manage the budget by developing and implementing procedures to measure cost effectiveness including variance reporting.
• Participate in the preparation and follow-up of the consolidated financial monthly management reports.
• Prepare and maintain timely and accurate consolidated financial statements and reports that are appropriate for both internal and external users and in accordance relevant accounting standards in each country of operation.
• Develop internal financial and accounting policies and procedures while documenting and maintaining complete and accurate supporting information for all financial transactions to ensure compliance.
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organization are met including all tax regulations.
• Implement and maintain financial accounting systems for cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and credit card.
• Manage the cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts in accordance with Aceli’s guidelines.
• Ensure monitoring of the bank accounts and liquidity positions, including submitting Cash Advance and Bank Transfer Requests.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Head of Finance and Operations.

Audit, Compliance and Risk

• Assess the internal control environment and support in designing and improving internal control processes and accounting systems.
• Manage the external audits in a timely manner.
• Facilitate and support donor financial audits and implementation of audit recommendations in close coordination and collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders.
• Identify potential financial risks and ensure they are reflected on the risk register.

Procurement and IT Operations

• Oversee internal policies to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness in: procurement services, office facilities, insurance, property and asset management.
• Support in the maintenance and improvement of IT infrastructure in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics or equivalent.
• Master’s degrees preferably in business management or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or hold an equivalent professional accounting qualification e.g. ACCA/CA.
• Minimum of 7 years professional experience financial accounting and reporting.
• Solid knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS, GAAP) financial systems, budget/cash-flow monitoring and internal accounting controls.
• Knowledge of and experience with donor and government grant regulations and financial reporting requirements.
• Multi-country experience highly desirable.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex financial issues, both orally and in writing and to solve complex matters through the use of analyses, data-sharing, and cooperation.
• Excellent attention to detail, multi-tasking and interpersonal skills.
• Go-getter who takes initiative and is able to work independently and collaborate with a diverse team across different countries.
• Professional with a demonstrated record of the highest integrity and ethical conduct.
• Self-motivated and eager to learn and contribute to a growing, mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to and understanding of annexed Aceli’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

The Global Development Incubator is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. East African nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role, please submit your application quoting in the subject line the Job Title “Manager, Finance & Accounting”, and attach your detailed CV, cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the position, e-mail address and telephone contacts. Applications that do not include a cover letter tailored to this position will not be considered.