Opportunity

• We are seeking an experienced Regional Finance Lead to manage all components of financial management, reporting, regulatory compliance, and sharing of financial information with all stakeholders for Pharo Ventures Kenya. S/he will provide leadership in delivering high-level and specialist budgeting, planning, and analytical services and expert advice at both strategic and operational levels within the regional offices. S/he will be responsible for all aspects of Pharo Ventures group reporting, Pharo Ventures business analysis, compliance and risk management. S/he will also train regional finance staff in compliance, reporting, accounting requirements and internal processes.
• To succeed in this role, s/he should demonstrate excellent leadership qualities and experience in modelling financial strategies. Suitable candidates should be proactive, dynamic senior finance personnel accustomed to handling multiple tasks with marked attention to detail.
• Working collaboratively with highly committed colleagues, this position offers a career-enriching opportunity to a resourceful individual seeking to work within international standards and relishes the challenge of managing multiple, time-sensitive assignments with the strongest attention to detail and the capacity to prioritise independently.

Key Relationships

Role: Regional Finance Lead (Nairobi)

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)-Pharo Ventures

Functional Relationships: Finance Managers at country levels

• Pharo Foundation global finance team
• Heads of Ventures at the country level
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Senior Investment Analyst

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Group Internal Business Controls

• Oversee formulation and support implementing policies, systems and procedures governing the organisation to promote organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide internal training surrounding organisational policies and procedures and constantly ensure compliance.
• Organise and provide training to finance staff on existing and new developments, such as the adoption of new accounting and reporting systems, changes in accounting standards etc
• Carry our periodic internal checks and balances within the Ventures Group and provide improvement points to the local management.
• Provide technical supervision to the Heads of Finance at the country levels.
• Support and handle any external and other audit assignments within the organisation.

Regional Finance/Accounting and Business Analysis

• Ensure proper financial information management as well as manage internal/external representation to stakeholders.
• Support country cash flow planning/forecasting and ensure availability of funds as needed.
• Review and maintain copies of key contracts with various stakeholders, e.g. contractors, Insurance companies, etc.
• Review monthly transactions for all countries to form the basis of accurate, sound and reliable reporting.
• Review and sign off the month-end closing process and various reports defined by the organisation.
• Provide Finance Support to the country offices.
• Coordinate the development and monitoring of budgets for country offices.
• Ensure management of sound banking operations within the organisation.
• Timely review of submitted standalone monthly country financial statements and submission to the CFO according to agreed timelines.
• Regularly review and perform in-depth ad hoc Pharo Ventures business analysis/ data analytics as needed.
• Prepare and submit consolidated financial reports quarterly to the CFO.
• Ensure that the country offices comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Be a liaison with finance personnel on all finance-related tasks in the region.
• Lead group annual financial reporting and audit processes, including preparing year-end accounts, working paper files, and daily liaison with auditors.
• Manage all aspects of financial management at Pharo Ventures Kenya Head office, Nairobi.
• Other ad-hoc finance-related tasks may be required by the supervisor from time to time.

Requirements

Qualifications 

• Must be a professionally qualified accountant with current membership and designation of Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, or Certified Management Accountant.
• Must be in possession of an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, business or other relevant subjects.
• Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in financial management, with the ability to review, analyse and interpret budgets, financial management systems, financial statements, and audit reports.
• Must have financial modelling experience.
• Must have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in a management position role.
• Must possess excellent organisation and project management skills and demonstrate an ability to manage complex and competing resource allocation requirements.
• Must have excellent writing, analytical and communication skills and good interpersonal skills.
• Languages: Excellent English language skills are essential.

Personal Attributes

• Highly analytical, organised, and pragmatic professional who pays attention to detail.
• Ability to be creative and innovative in generating new ideas and undertaking research.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• High level of professionalism, work ethic, integrity and data collection analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent time manager who can balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent communicator and comfortable working in a team environment.
• Highly professional with good ethical standards.
• Positive, enthusiastic and willing to learn.
• Possess a ‘can-do’ attitude.