Finance Officer – Scholarship Programme (Fixed Term Contract)

Location: Kenya

Job Description

The Finance Officer – Scholarship Programme provides strategic financial oversight and ensures operational excellence across all scholarship-related activities. The role is responsible for strong financial management, governance, and accountability within the Scholarship Programme.

Key functions include developing and managing budgets, forecasting financial needs, monitoring expenditure, and optimizing resource use. The Finance Officer oversees scholarship disbursements and school payments, maintains accurate financial records and reconciliations, and ensures full compliance with institutional policies, donor requirements, and regulatory standards. The role also involves stakeholder engagement, monitoring student eligibility, and implementing continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and impact.

Contract Type: Fixed-term 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 the Programme Manager to track budgets for key activities (e.g., recruitment, home visits).
• Review scholarship requirements prior to fund disbursement.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and provide financial analysis to support spending decisions.
• Promote financial policy awareness among staff and key stakeholders.

Fund Disbursement & Payment Processing

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

Accounting & Reconciliation

• Record all financial transactions accurately and promptly.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations of bank accounts, ledgers, and payment records.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date financial documentation for audits and reporting.

Reporting, Compliance & Audits

• Prepare and submit timely internal and external financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor guidelines, tax laws, and regulatory standards.
• Support audit processes and liaise with banks on scholarship account matters.
• Monitor student performance to determine continued scholarship eligibility.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen financial reporting and governance.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to the company’s code of conduct, policies, and procedures, promoting integrity and accountability.
• Comply with all safety, health, and wellbeing guidelines in day-to-day operations.

Skills & Competencies

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Professional certification such as CPA (K), ACCA, CIMA, or ACA is an added advantage.
• At least three (3) years of progressive experience in financial management, preferably within education, scholarship programmes, or donor-funded projects.
• Proven experience in managing disbursements, reconciliations, and financial reporting for multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Experience in financial governance frameworks and process improvement initiatives.

How to Apply

If you believe you meet the requirements and possess the necessary qualifications and experience, create or update your candidate profile on the recruitment portal and click the Apply button. Ensure you attach your resume and accurately fill in your work experience.