Job Description

Job Title: Senior Manager, Finance and Operations
State date: February 2025

Organizational Background

Founded by a group of committed Kenyans, Lwala unlocks the potential of communities to advance their own comprehensive well-being and improve health outcomes. We support communities to design, implement, and evaluate solutions to their most pressing health challenges. To address systemic inequities in health outcomes–and a health system that often leaves communities out of decision-making–Lwala deploys a community-led health model that has 4 pillars: professionalized community health workers (CHWs), community health committees, health facilities, and data. Lwala is an organization rooted in the communities we serve. When it comes to improving health outcomes, we believe that communities should be in the driver's seat–no one can identify challenges and solutions better than communities themselves. Our model centers communities as leaders and change-makers breaking cycles of inequity.

Job Summary

Lwala Community Alliance is seeking a skilled and strategic Senior Manager, Finance and Operations to oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and the management of incoming and outgoing grants. The role requires a seasoned professional with a proven track record in developing finance systems within an international NGO context. The ideal candidate will provide leadership in ensuring financial accountability, alignment with organizational goals, and compliance with donor requirements.

1. Strategic, Planning and Performance Role

i) Ensure the existence of a robust framework that guarantees the accomplishment of the strategic plan objectives.
ii) Oversee all budgeting and forecasting processes.
iii) Monitor performance of the organization against financial targets and budgets; report progress and initiates corrective measures.
iv) Work closely with senior leadership to develop and implement long term plans for financial sustainability based on business planning, organizational growth priorities, investment strategy, infrastructure development and capital expenditure etc.
v) Lead and guide the operational processes, securing the accomplishment of the business model, the Lwala’s Strategic Plan.

2. Management Information and Analysis

i) Lead preparation and presentation of accurate and timely reports on income, expenditure, and updated forecasts.
ii) Coordinate and consolidate monthly, quarterly and annual financial management information and reports for management and donors.
iii) Proactively identify financial and regulatory/reporting issues, driving the development and implementation of solutions on a “no surprises” basis.
iv) Provide appropriate support to the Board and relevant Committees, including financial statements, reports and analysis that can support decision-making.

3. Treasury and Liquidity Management

i) Assist in oversighting organization-wide treasury and liquidity position.
ii) Ensure that the organization has sufficient liquidity to honour its obligations on a timely basis.
iii) Conduct cost analysis of key operations to inform investment and operational decisions cost modelling.

4. Financial Operations and Controls

i) Provide financial guidance in all areas related to finance/accounting including project financing, contract negotiations, tax strategies, regulatory compliance and interdivisional transactions.
ii) Drive the effective and efficient management for treasury and accounting operations.
iii) Coordinate periodic and institutional audits, address final clearance with internal/external auditors, and ensure implementation of financial risk management recommendations.
iv) Ensure proper financial management, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources.
v) Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions.
vi) Full compliance of financial activities, financial reporting/recording.
vii) Review GL for completeness and correctness and prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and analysis.
viii) Ensure adherence to monthly and yearly close-out procedures.

5. Procurement and Operations Oversight

i) Supervise and monitor all aspects of ICT and procurement related activities based on Lwala’s policies, processes and system requirements.
ii) Support continuous improvement of finance, procurement and other ICT processes and systems with a focus on user needs, organizational benefits and value for money.
iii) Maintain the integrity of the Financial ERP software ensuring it meets user requirements and users have the skills required to operate.
iv) Oversee the Procurement, Logistics, Materials, Assets and Inventory management.
v) Maintain safe and healthy work-place environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations to operate in a safe, injury/accident-free workplace.
vi) Oversee aspects of logistics including security, vehicle management, running, scheduling and maintenance.

6. Asset and Administrative Oversight

i) Manage (procure, maximize, manage and control) the processes and the resources, as well as physical assets and financial, in the implementation of the strategy, complying with the standards, the policies, the legal requirements and the internal and external procedures.
ii) Ensure the proper use of assets, items and programs assigned; provide a correct use and protect the assets of the organization and being cost-efficient with the expenses and investments made.

7. Risk Mitigation and Controls

i) Ensure the compliance of the efficiency policy and work plan for the Organization to become a Green Office.
ii) Promote and ensure the adoption and compliance, on a personal basis, of the team, partners and stakeholders and third parts, to the values and internal policies of the Organization

8. Leadership and People Management

i) Motivate and develop human potential.
ii) Identify staff training needs assessments and recommends training programs to address staff development needs.
iii) Maintain staff discipline and as necessary ensure effective handling of staff grievances in consultation with the P&C function.
iv) Provide the optimal and necessary resources to guarantee the proper management of the organization.
v) Promote and ensure a healthy and respectful work environment, the relationship with different members of the Team and a permanent communication at all levels of the organization.
vi) Actively participate in the management of the multi-functional teams to promote the appropriate teamwork and its synergies, all related with the position goal.

Education and Experience Profile

i) Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s degree preferred) in administration, finance or similar field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
ii) At least 10 years of experience in financial and operational management.
iii) Certification with an Accounting professional body e.g., ICPAK, ACCA, in good standing.
iv) Extensive knowledge of Kenya financial laws and tax regulations.
v) Computer literacy in MS Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and knowledge of Financial Software/ERPs.
vi) Ability to motivate direct reports as well as manage budgets and stakeholder expectations.
vii) Relevant certifications in ICT and Procurement & Supply Chain Management in good standing.
viii) Experience in working in a multicultural environment.

Other Requirements

i) Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English required.
ii) Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to motivate direct reports as well as manage budgets and client expectations.
iii) Strong problem solving, critical thinking, coaching, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.
iv) Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office and ERPs. Experience and working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Business Central is an added advantage.
v) Ability to plan for and keep track of multiple projects and deadlines.
vi) Familiarity with budget planning and enforcement, human resources, and customer service procedures.
vi) Demonstrated effectiveness in communicating with clients and project stakeholders.
vii) Proven record of consistently outperforming targets.
viii) High integrity, sincerity, honesty, respectful, positive attitude and team player.

Personal Attributes

i) Innovation: Ability to seek out innovative solutions and bring people on a journey constructively and empathetically.
ii) Effective Management of Resources: High integrity and ability to makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.
iii) Well-developed leadership skills: Ability to develop direction and shared purpose, building a team through coaching to ensure the accomplishment of goals and high-level team performance.
iv) Proven delivery of quality outcomes: Ability to establish stretch goals, plans, using best judgement and taking responsibility to and delivering on outcomes.
v) People skills: Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships through the understanding and development of other’s and own ideas.
vi) Effective Communicator: Ability to use appropriate means of communication to convey messages, seeking input from others and ensuring understanding.
vii) Risk Management: Knowledge of processes, tools and techniques for assessing and controlling the organization’s exposure to risks of various kinds; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
ix) Analytical and Strategic Thinker: Ability to generate options to achieve long-range goals and to select the best strategies for success and delivery on strategic goals.
x) Organizational Capacity Building: Ability to diagnose individual and team capability and development needs and champion talent management.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

How to Apply

Please send your application letter and CV as one attachment to: Senior Manager, Finance and Operations

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Lwala Community Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not ask for fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Successful candidates must abide by Lwala’s Anti-Fraud & Bribery Policy and Safeguarding Policy, including protection of children and vulnerable adults.