Job Title: SENIOR GENERAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (Financial)
Number of Positions: 1 position
Gross Salary Range: Competitive
Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Contract: Fulltime contract for 38 hours/week
Placement: Immediate
Are you getting enthusiastic working with financial affairs? Are you an organized person, able to work independently and looking forward to supporting our team at the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi? Good news because we are looking for a Financial Officer.
This embassy in Nairobi promotes the Dutch interests in Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia and for the in Nairobi based UNEP and UNHCS/Habitat. The activities of the embassy are very dynamic because this embassy is a so called ‘hub’ in East Africa and frequently welcomes visitors and missions.
In the position as Senior General Affairs Officer (Finance) you work in a big team at our Operational Management and Consular Affairs department at the embassy. Specifically handling financial affairs. Members of our cluster, work closely together, with a high degree of independence to assure adequate and efficient support to the entire staff of the Embassy.
The Operational Management and Consular Affairs department comprises the following clusters Operational Management and Consular Affairs, all working under the guidance of the Head of Administration and Consular Affairs.
You will become an integral part of the Operational Management team and support our embassy by handling our financial affairs. The Senior General Affairs Officer/Finance (SGAO) primarily caries out more interrelated and complex activities relating to finance and other support services to the work processes of the embassy.
The tasks are carried out in a complex environment, in which cultural sensitivity, tact and boldness are necessary qualities to complete these tasks success fully. The employee is expected to be able to work independently and have knowledge of financial procedures, rules, and regulations. The candidate is expected to be sensitive to and understand the organizational and functional relations within and outside the embassy.
About the Embassy of Netherlands:
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi is, besides Kenya, also responsible for Somalia and the Seychelles. The Ambassador is moreover Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat.
The embassy is an integrated organization that consists of approx. 60 employees, including attaches from several ministries in the Netherlands. The embassy comprises a number of clusters, which reflect the different areas of responsibility such as Aid and Trade, Somalia, Defense, Agriculture, Security, Political, Consular Affairs and Operational Management.
The Head of Mission has overall responsibility for the work of the embassy, whilst the Deputy Head of Mission is also head of the Aid and Trade cluster. The Somali department has its own deputy Ambassador to Somalia, and one of the senior policy officers’ acts as Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP. The Operational Management and Consular Affairs department is located centrally within the embassy, close to the immediate supervisors and easily accessible to other staff. The embassy is located in a modern multi-tenant office building on Riverside Drive, occupying two floors.
Key Roles & Responsibilities:
General: to provide financial and administrative support to embassy staff and the Financial Service Organization (FSO) in the Hague.
- Management and process internal/external invoices and ensure timely payment of supplier invoices and utility bills, within the rules and regulations of our organization.
- Administration of VAT exemptions and refunds.
- Cash box administration and cash statements.
- Answer queries from the Finance Service Organization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands, regarding cash management and financial administration.
- Assisting staff members with any queries within your mandate.
- Filing of all documentation.
- Cheque procedures and administration.
- Banking of any cheques received and petty cash.
- Management and process private use of embassy items e.g., phone, vehicles, etc.
- Liaison with bank, institutions, and organizations.
- Process consular receipts.
- Process payroll related payments.
- Finding solutions for complicated financial queries.
- Assisting OM with regard to financial queries and research.
- Follow up on changes in financial legal framework.
- Maintenance and administrative handling of our vehicles.
- Drafting (periodical) overview of expenditures.
- Insurances.
- Any other tasks including support for operational management processes.
Description of Result Areas:
- The senior general affairs officer is accountable for the progress and quality of financial services and other support services.
- Legislation, rules, and regulations on legal status and ministerial or other administrative regulations and guidelines in the field of personnel & financial administration are important to the performance of the officer’s duties.
- The senior general affairs officer takes decisions about the interpretation and implementation of regulations and about whether they are being correctly applied.
Description of Competences:
- Integrity
- Client orientation
- Result orientation
- Planning and Organizing
- Initiative
- Flexibility
- Ability to work accurately.
- Empathy
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education and Field of Experience:
- A Finance/Accounting related collage degree (i.e., BCom, BA Finance)
- Proven track record of minimum 3 years of relevant working experience in financial / accounting activities.
- Computer literacy: well experienced to use MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Fluent in English and preferably knowledge of Kiswahili, knowledge of Dutch language is an advantage.
- Knowledge of internal administrative and procedural regulations relating to the running of the mission, as well as their application.
- Skill in collecting and clarifying information and in providing management information.
- Skill in dealing with users, external firms, and suppliers.
In addition, short characterization of the suitable employee:
- Integrity is paramount
- Good interpersonal and communication skills in a multicultural environment
- Service oriented
- Able to work under limited supervision
- Able to cope with pressure
- Knows how to prioritize
- Planning and organizing
What you get:
- Attractive salary.
- Competitive package of other benefits such as a (local) healthcare plan.
- Working in a challenging, high level international environment.
- Opportunities to work on personal development;
- Friendly, open work atmosphere.
How to Apply:
Interested individuals are invited to submit a 1-page Application Letter specifically highlighting 1) why you are interested in this role and 2) why you would like to work for the NL embassy, a CV of maximum 2 pages, and a minimum of 3 professional references not later than Wednesday 20th September, 2023.
If you are not a Kenyan Citizen, please also attach a copy of your Kenyan work – and residence permit. Work permits will not be arranged by the Embassy.
Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted.
Neither Gap Recruitment Services Limited nor the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya charges candidates for job placements.
Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.