Region: Global
Office: Nairobi, Kenya
Hours: Full time
Application deadline: April 1, 2025
We’re looking for a Finance Manager to join the Free to be Me team in Kenya, East Africa. Besides overseeing all finance and accounting aspects of the program, you’ll particularly work to coordinate the grants closure process.
Free to Be Me is an ambitious, daring and innovative program that helps build and maintain a vibrant LGBTIQ+ movement that is confident and capable to lobby and advocate for their human and economic rights. The program is led by an alliance of three consortium members – Hivos (the lead party), ILGA World and Positive Vibes – and three technical partners. Together the alliance coaches, accompanies, funds and trains LGBTIQ+ persons and organizations to influence norms and attitudes, generate (public) support, and promote laws, policies and regulations that recognize, respect and protect LGBTIQ+ people’s human and economic rights.
The program is implemented in 12 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the Power of Voices program, which is part of the Strengthening Civil Society subsidy framework. Implementation of the five-year program ends in December 2025.
Job context
The Finance Manager is part of the Free to be Me Program Management Team, based in Nairobi. The Finance Manager oversees all finance and accounting aspects of the Free to be Me Program as per donor guidelines. The Finance Manager works closely together with all the regional teams in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.
The Finance Manager takes responsibility for provision of overview and strategic financial management of the Free to be Me program across the regions and actively participates in strategy formulation, program steering committee meetings and provides financial management related advice to the program team. They design systems and tools that promote internal and external accountability in financial management in the Free to be Me program.
The Finance Manager oversees budgetary cycles, monitors program expenditure, resolves problems and provides support to the Program Management and the F2BM finance staff in the regions on financial management and monitoring of the Free to be Me program.
The Finance Manager ensures financial management and donor requirements are carried out in accordance with internal processes and recognized financial standards and provides financial expertise, business support and financial monitoring of the Free to be Me staff both globally and regional and if needed to consortium and local partners in their finance/grant management responsibilities.
The Finance Manager also ensures that Hivos’ financial policy and procedures are applied, and coherent finance systems are established for varying program modalities. They provide guidance and support to regional offices, consortium partners, national host organizations and (local) partners with regards to financial planning and reporting, and the annual audit. They share one consolidated financial and audited report with the Hivos financial controller according to the donor guidelines. They also generate other period financial reports and analyses and lead preparation of financial forecasts, targets and budgets, monitor progress, including identification of risks and opportunities for the Free to be Me global program manager and the Hivos financial controller. The Finance Manager liaises with the Hivos financial controller to undertake due diligence assessments.
The Finance Manager:
- Ensures that financial management is carried out in accordance with internal processes and recognized financial standards and that donor obligations and requirements are met
- Oversees budgetary cycles, monitors program expenditure and resolves problems
- Provides support on the preparation of quarterly finance reports and annual audited accounts,
- Advises on budget utilization and strategies that Free to be Me should take to improve on utilization and efficiency
- Provides technical know-how to implement all forms of recommendations related to financial monitoring, review and risk assessment
- Develops the capacities of Hivos finance staff and local partner organizations where necessary
Responsibilities
Financial management
- Overall responsibility for financial oversight across the program, including review and preliminary sign-off on all new contracts.
- Lead in financial planning for the program including budgets, monthly plans, and forecasts for integration with the wider organizational business planning.
- Be the first point of escalation with the donor and partner institutions pertaining to the implementation of signed agreements.
- Prepare and manage the program’s annual audit cycle and process to ensure that the program audit is delivered to the donor by the agreed timeline.
- Advise the global program manager on the program’s financial accounts and the progress of the financial targets.
Quality improvement
- Support the program teams to integrate risk management into routine project management processes
- Maintain positive interpersonal and communication relationships with program partners and regional finance teams.
- Take responsibility for the program’s operational relationship with external auditors and other third parties to ensure quality service provision that meets the program’s donor and regional specific statutory responsibilities.
Financial reporting coordination
- Design and implement financial reporting templates and guidelines for local and national partners in program countries and consolidate financial reports for transmission and discussion with the program management.
- Lead, manage and motivate the Free to be Me program finance staff ensuring appropriate advice, guidance and support is provided in line with best practice.
- Oversee and review the financial control environment across the program to ensure compliance with financial regulations, prevent/detect significant fraud and generally manage financial risk.
- Prepare monthly depletion reports for the program.
- Ensure compliance in all Prog countries. (Tax, local reporting etc.
Grants closures coordination
- 2025 being the final year of project implementation with the final semester of the program heavily focused on documentation, archiving and administrative of grants closures, this role will ensure high quality administration and closures of all Free to be Me grants and contracts.
- Ensure sound programmatic and financial reporting of the 5 -year program. The role will be the focal point for the Free to be Me country teams in terms of grant administration systems, ensuring documentation for compliance with final reporting requirements and implementation of excellent controls.
- Ensure that grant administration policies and processes are in line with Free to be and Hivos targets and objectives.
- In collaboration with country teams carry out grant and financial data reconciliation at country level and preparation of reports, audits and other Free to be me reporting as needed.
Finance team management and supervision
- Manage and supervise finance officers by providing adequate and timely provision of guidance and support to ensure effective and efficient financial management of program activities.
- Identify and address any capacity gaps within the finance team that may impact program delivery.
Requirements
- Master’s degree or equivalent in finance, accounting, business economics or related / similar field.
- A minimum of seven (7) years of proven experience in financial management preferably within large, complex multi-country programs.
- Significant experience in grant-making, including grant administration, disbursement, monitoring, and closure processes, particularly in the context of multi-country programs.
- Demonstrated experience working in global or international settings, with a strong understanding of diverse financial environments.
- Proven track record in managing complex financial systems, including budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting for donor-funded programs.
- Advanced knowledge in accounting principles, financial management, and project finance.
- Proficiency in using ERP/MIS systems (e.g. AllSolutions) and financial software tools.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve complex financial problems and provide strategic recommendations.
- In-depth understanding of financial regulations, donor compliance, and risk management practices.
- Experience in overseeing audits, ensuring compliance with tax laws, and managing financial risk across diverse program countries.
- Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate finance teams across multiple regions.
- Experience in capacity building and providing technical guidance to finance staff and local partners.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to maintain positive relationships with program partners, regional teams, and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- A proactive and solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.
- Commitment to the values and mission of Hivos and the Free to Be Me program, including promoting inclusivity and human rights.
Want to apply?
We particularly welcome applications from women, trans and/or intersex people (in the broadest sense of each of these terms). We offer a contract based on Hivos local labour conditions depending on the country of appointment, with a remuneration commensurate with the experience and expertise requested.
About Hivos
Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work in partnership with others in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas: civic rights; gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and climate justice. Our approach is solution driven, and we build wider movements for change by amplifying and connecting voices.
