Job Description

The Finance Officer for Scholarships provides strategic financial oversight and operational excellence for the Scholarship Programme. This role ensures robust financial management, governance, and accountability across all scholarship-related activities. Key responsibilities include developing and managing budgets, forecasting financial requirements, and monitoring expenditure to optimize resource utilization. The position oversees scholarship disbursements and school payments, maintains accurate financial records and reconciliations, and ensures full compliance with institutional policies, donor requirements, and regulatory standards. Additionally, the role drives stakeholder engagement, monitors student eligibility, and champions continuous process improvement to enhance efficiency, transparency, and impact.

Contract Type: This is a fixed-term role for three (3) years, renewable based on performance.

Responsibilities
Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Develop and manage programme and grant budgets in line with organizational policies.
• Collaborate with Programme Manager to track budgets for key activities (e.g., recruitment, home visits).
• Review scholarship requirements before fund disbursement.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and provide financial analysis to guide spending decisions.
• Promote financial policy awareness among staff and stakeholders.

Fund Disbursement & Payment Processing

• Oversee accurate and timely disbursement of scholarship funds and stipends.
• Coordinate fee payments to institutions and ensure student eligibility.
• Manage supplier payments and LPOs via Oracle, ensuring proper documentation.
• Communicate payment details to schools and guardians.

Accounting & Reconciliation

• Record all financial transactions promptly and accurately.
• Reconcile bank accounts, ledgers, and payment records monthly.
• Maintain organized financial documentation for audits and reporting.

Reporting, Compliance & Audits

• Generate timely internal and external financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with policies, tax laws, and regulations.
• Support audit processes and liaise with banks on account matters.
• Monitor student progress for continued scholarship eligibility.
• Recommend process improvements and address financial reporting concerns.

Health and Safety.

• Uphold the company code of conduct, policies and procedures, ensuring integrity and accountability in every aspect of your work.
• All employees have a responsibility to adhere to safety, health, and wellbeing policies, guidelines and procedures in all actions and decisions.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of accounting software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• High proficiency in MS Excel for financial modeling and reporting.
• Familiarity with donor funding guidelines, scholarship administration policies, and statutory financial regulations.
• Ability to interpret complex financial policies.
• Strong analytical and attention-to-detail skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related field f from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• CPA (K), ACCA, CIMA, or ACA certification preferred.
• At least three years ‘progressive experience in financial management, preferably within education, scholarship programs, or donor-funded projects.
• Proven track record in managing disbursements, reconciliations, and financial reporting for multi-stakeholder programs.
• Experience in process improvement and implementing financial governance frameworks.