Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The National Legal Aid Service - NLAS is a state agency established under the Legal Aid Act 2016 with the mandate to among other functions; offer legal aid services to the vulnerable, marginalized and indigent persons. Our mandate is to provide affordable, accessible, sustainable, credible and accountable legal aid services to indigent persons in Kenya in...

Responsibilities or duties

The Principal Finance Officer is responsible for the following functions;

• Monitoring expenditure on projects and programmes periodically;
• Implementing proposals for raising funds;
• Processing commitment of funds and expenditure trends;
• Controlling expenditure commitment in NLAS;
• Assisting the department in the costing of programmes;
• Incorporating the department's inputs into the budget process;
• Ensuring timely adjustment of work plans commensurate with the resources voted in the budget;
• Monitoring expenditures based on approved budgets;
• Application of sound principles, systems and techniques in accounting for finance, assets, revenue, expenditure and costs;
• Analyzing Appropriation in Aid (A-in-A) reports on quarterly basis;
• Responding to all audit queries raised by both internal and external auditors;
• Coordinating preparations of cash flow projections;
• Participating in developing supplementary financial regulations and procedures to enhance internal controls established through normal Treasury regulations and procedures;
• Maintaining an inventory on all bank accounts of NLAS and their approved signatories, authorizing payments, sign cheques and identify suitable cheques signatories as appropriate;
• Reviewing final accounts prepared within time frame provided by legislation;
• Preparing quarterly financial management report; and
• Recourse mobilization and management of Legal Aid Fund.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have;

• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Commerce (Accounting/finance option), Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Business management or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution;
• Registered with relevant professional body such as Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or equivalent;
• Certificate in Management Course

Experience needed

At least Six (9) years cumulative work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Senior Finance Officer or in comparable position in the Private or the Public sector;

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Shown merits and ability as reflected in work performance and results.

Remuneration will be in accordance with NLAS Salary Scale:

NLAS GRADE 5. 128,570 x 10,755 – 139,325 x 10,755 – 150,080 x 10,755 – 160,835 x 10,755 – 171,590 x 10,755 – 182,345 x 10,755 – 193,100 x 10,755 – 203,855 p.m

NOTE: NLAS Grades 1, 2 & 3 are on a three-years contract basis, renewable once while the rest are on permanent and pensionable terms

Successful candidates MUST satisfy the requirements of Leadership and Integrity as set out in Chapter six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya and shall be required to present the following documents before being issued with an offer letter;

• Clearance from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission;
• Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority;
• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations;
• Certificate of Clearance from Credit Reference Bureau; and
• Clearance Certificate from Higher Education Loans Board or proof of ongoing repayments.

• Monitoring expenditure on projects and programmes periodically;
• Implementing proposals for raising funds;
• Processing commitment of funds and expenditure trends;
• Controlling expenditure commitment in NLAS;
• Assisting the department in the costing of programmes;
• Incorporating the department's inputs into the budget process;
• Ensuring timely adjustment of work plans commensurate with the resources voted in the budget;
• Monitoring expenditures based on approved budgets;
• Application of sound principles, systems and techniques in accounting for finance, assets, revenue, expenditure and costs;
• Analyzing Appropriation in Aid (A-in-A) reports on quarterly basis;
• Responding to all audit queries raised by both internal and external auditors;
• Coordinating preparations of cash flow projections;
• Participating in developing supplementary financial regulations and procedures to enhance internal controls established through normal Treasury regulations and procedures;
• Maintaining an inventory on all bank accounts of NLAS and their approved signatories, authorizing payments, sign cheques and identify suitable cheques signatories as appropriate;
• Reviewing final accounts prepared within time frame provided by legislation;
• Preparing quarterly financial management report; and
• Recourse mobilization and management of Legal Aid Fund.

• Accounting principles
• Financial management
• Budgeting
• Auditing
• Financial reporting
• Cash flow management
• Internal controls
• Fundraising
• Costing
• Management

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting/finance option), Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Business management or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution
• Registered with relevant professional body such as Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or equivalent
• Certificate in Management Course