Are you an experienced finance professional with a strong background in non-profit financial management and donor-funded programs? Do you have an eye for detail, excellent analytical capabilities, and a commitment to supporting civil society initiatives? If so, then an exciting opportunity awaits you at Free to Be Me, an ambitious and bold initiative led by a passionate consortium of civil society organizations.
As the Free to Be Me program enters its final phase, we are looking for a dedicated and skilled Finance Officer to support our finance team through the program’s closure period. This position is key to ensuring a compliant, timely, and efficient financial closeout of one of the most dynamic global LGBTIQ+ rights programs currently running.
About Free to Be Me
Free to Be Me is an innovative global program designed to empower LGBTIQ+ persons and organizations. It provides them with the tools, resources, and capacity to advocate for their human and economic rights. The program operates across 12 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, offering an inclusive and empowering platform for LGBTIQ+ individuals and communities.
Led by Hivos in collaboration with consortium members ILGA World and Positive Vibes, and supported by three technical partners, Free to Be Me is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Power of Voices program. This initiative is part of the Strengthening Civil Society subsidy framework and is currently in its final year of implementation, ending in December 2025.
This final implementation phase requires meticulous financial oversight, coordination, and reporting to meet donor requirements and ensure smooth and responsible program closure.
Job Context
We are seeking a committed and experienced Finance Officer (FO) to support the successful closeout of the Free to Be Me program. This role demands a finance professional with solid experience in project finance management, preferably within an international development or civil society context.
The Finance Officer will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will work full-time for a period of approximately eight months. They will report to the Regional Finance Manager (RFM) and collaborate with a range of internal and external stakeholders including program teams, partners, auditors, and finance personnel in other regional hubs.
The FO will also be responsible for partner engagement, ensuring financial compliance, and supporting all financial processes related to partner contracts, reporting, audits, and financial closure.
Position: Finance Officer – Short Term
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Working Hours: Full-time
Period: Approximately 8 months
Application Deadline: June 27, 2025 (Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis)
Detailed Job Description
The Finance Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the financial integrity and accountability of the Free to Be Me program as it approaches closure. The role involves handling multiple financial processes with a particular emphasis on compliance, partner management, reporting, and audits.
Core Responsibilities
1. Program Financial Closure Support
- Prepare, verify, and finalize program expenditure reports and reconciliations.
- Collaborate with program and operations teams to ensure all financial closure activities are conducted in a timely and compliant manner.
- Support program partners in finalizing and, where necessary, realigning financial plans and budgets.
- Lead the preparation of financial reports required by external auditors and the donor.
- Coordinate and support closure audits, including responding to audit queries and engaging directly with partners to provide supporting documentation.
- Assist with queries or investigations into cases of partner financial irregularities.
2. System Administration and Financial Entry (All Solutions System)
- Enter all relevant financial data accurately into the All Solutions system, ensuring comprehensive documentation.
- Ensure that all transactions are properly recorded and supported with valid documentation.
- Manage the final financial reports submitted by partners and process closeout steps in the financial system.
3. Partner Financial Management
- Prepare and process contracts with implementing partners, in collaboration with project officers.
- Oversee financial compliance related to partner budget contracts, including obligations under donor and internal requirements.
- Monitor the implementation of partner contracts and ensure alignment with budgets and project timelines.
- Maintain regular communication with partners regarding reporting cycles and ensure timely submission of all financial reports.
- Review and assess submitted partner financial reports and accompanying documentation.
- Conduct regular meetings with partners to ensure adherence to financial procedures and resolve any project-related financial issues.
- Administer the closure of partner contracts in the system and ensure proper documentation archiving according to Hivos’ policies.
4. Local Compliance and External Engagement
- Liaise with government agencies, tax bodies, and financial institutions to maintain organizational compliance with local tax laws and legal requirements.
- Provide advice and clarification on compliance requirements to the program and operations team.
5. Office Management and General Finance Support
- Carry out general finance tasks such as processing supplier payments and managing staff advance reconciliations.
- Perform monthly reconciliations of balance sheet accounts and ensure accuracy of transactions.
- Assist in administrative finance duties not directly related to the program as required by Hub EA Finance.
- Support other finance team members during periods of high workload or staff absence.
6. Additional Support Responsibilities
- Undertake any other duties assigned by the Regional Finance Manager (RFM) or Project Finance Manager to support the efficient functioning of the finance department and the Free to Be Me program closeout process.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The Finance Officer we are looking for should be someone who brings both technical expertise and a collaborative spirit. This is a dynamic position suited to someone who is comfortable working with diverse stakeholders and within a multicultural environment. The successful candidate will possess the following competencies:
- Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage constructively with partners.
- Proactive, structured, and highly organized in approach.
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and the ability to collaborate with colleagues and partners from varied backgrounds.
- Willing to occasionally support broader finance tasks across the region.
Who Should Apply
This role is best suited for finance professionals who have:
- A degree in finance, accounting, business economics or a related field.
- CPA, ACCA or a similar financial certification.
- A minimum of five years of relevant experience in a similar role, preferably in the non-profit sector.
- Demonstrated experience in donor financial reporting, partner grants management, and compliance processes.
- Experience supporting or leading audits for donor-funded projects.
- Prior experience working in complex and international environments with multiple stakeholders.
Applicants should be motivated by the goals of the Free to Be Me program and show commitment to supporting LGBTIQ+ rights and civil society empowerment.
How to Apply
To be considered for this exciting and impactful role, please apply through the following link:
