One Acre Fund is seeking to hire a Financial Advisory Service Senior Associate to be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization, founded in 2006, has established itself as a leading force in supporting smallholder farmers across Africa. With a reach extending to 5.5 million farmers across nine countries, One Acre Fund has been instrumental in improving livelihoods through the provision of farm inputs, agronomic training, financial services, and innovative agricultural support.
The organization’s impact is far-reaching, enabling farmers to increase incomes and improve resilience. The team, composed of over 9,000 staff members from diverse backgrounds, remains committed to scaling agricultural productivity and transforming rural communities.
The Financial Advisory Service Senior Associate role is critical in advancing this mission by providing high-level financial analysis, operational support, and advisory services to divisional leaders, department heads, and other senior decision-makers. This is an opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organization that is reshaping agricultural practices across the continent.
About the Role
The Financial Advisory Service Senior Associate will play a dual role of strategic and operational financial support. At the strategic level, the associate will be responsible for converting departmental strategies into financial analysis that supports sound decision-making. On the operational side, the role encompasses budget planning, financial reporting, risk evaluation, and compliance oversight.
The position reports directly to the Head of Finance in Kenya and requires a balance of technical financial expertise, analytical skills, and strong communication abilities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Advisory for Assigned Departments
The associate will serve as the lead financial consultant for specific departments. In this capacity, they will provide ongoing financial advice that ensures departmental strategies align with organizational goals. This includes:
- Reviewing departmental financial requests to ensure they are viable and aligned with One Acre Fund’s overall mission.
- Providing financial input during strategic planning sessions to help guide programmatic decisions.
- Offering advisory support to help departments evaluate the financial implications of proposed initiatives.
This responsibility requires the associate to balance technical financial analysis with an understanding of programmatic outcomes, ensuring that departments can achieve growth in a sustainable manner.
2. Creation of Financial Models for Business Opportunities
The associate will be responsible for building comprehensive financial models for new and ongoing business opportunities. These models should provide insights into program profitability, operational efficiency, and long-term viability. Specific tasks will include:
- Designing models that forecast revenues, costs, and profitability under different scenarios.
- Conducting sensitivity analyses to evaluate the financial resilience of proposed initiatives.
- Presenting findings in a clear, structured format to facilitate decision-making by senior leaders.
These models will serve as critical tools in guiding investments and ensuring resources are allocated efficiently.
3. Coordination of the Annual Budgeting Process
The associate will coordinate the annual budgeting process for assigned departments and divisions. This task requires cross-functional collaboration, attention to detail, and adherence to timelines. Responsibilities include:
- Gathering financial inputs from multiple stakeholders within assigned departments.
- Reviewing and consolidating departmental budgets to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Providing constructive feedback to department heads to align proposed budgets with organizational priorities.
- Preparing budget documents for review by senior management and the finance leadership team.
Effective coordination of the budgeting process ensures that departments can plan effectively and that financial resources are allocated according to strategic priorities.
4. Assessment of Budgets and Cost Projections
The associate will critically evaluate all departmental budgets and cost projections. The objective is to maximize cost efficiency while maintaining quality and impact. Tasks include:
- Performing line-by-line budget analysis to identify areas of potential savings.
- Collaborating with department heads to implement cost-reduction strategies without undermining program quality.
- Using data-driven approaches to highlight trends and patterns in spending.
This assessment is integral to ensuring that resources are utilized optimally across the organization.
5. Management of the Monthly BVA Process
The associate will work closely with department heads to manage the monthly Budget versus Actual (BVA) process. This includes:
- Comparing actual spending against budgeted amounts on a monthly basis.
- Investigating variances to determine causes and implications.
- Recommending adjustments to ensure departments remain on track financially.
- Preparing variance reports for review by senior leadership.
The BVA process is essential for monitoring financial performance and making timely course corrections.
6. Conducting Cost-Benefit Analyses
The associate will carry out detailed cost-benefit analyses to guide executive decision-making. This involves:
- Examining current expenditure patterns in light of market and financial forecasts.
- Evaluating potential investments or program changes for financial feasibility.
- Preparing reports that summarize findings and recommendations for leadership review.
Through these analyses, the associate will provide actionable insights that strengthen the organization’s ability to achieve impact while maintaining financial sustainability.
7. Preparation of Monthly Management Accounts
The associate will prepare monthly management accounts for assigned departments. These accounts should provide a comprehensive overview of financial performance and include:
- Income statements
- Cashflow reports
- Balance sheets
The associate will also interpret financial data to highlight interdependencies among cost drivers, providing insights that inform strategic decision-making at the management level.
8. Risk Evaluation and Compliance Monitoring
A key responsibility of the associate is to evaluate financial risks and ensure compliance with internal controls. This includes:
- Identifying and assessing potential financial risks within departmental operations.
- Monitoring adherence to established internal controls and financial policies.
- Recommending improvements to strengthen financial governance and reduce exposure to risks.
By maintaining strong compliance standards, the associate will contribute to safeguarding the financial integrity of the organization.
Career Growth and Development
The position offers opportunities for professional development within a dynamic organizational environment. The associate will benefit from mentorship, training programs, and regular performance reviews. The organization encourages career progression and provides opportunities for employees to shape their roles as the organization grows.
Job Location
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Start Date
The organization seeks to fill this position as soon as possible.
Benefits
The role comes with a comprehensive package that includes health insurance, housing, and other benefits designed to support employee well-being.
Eligibility
The position is open to citizens and permanent residents of Kenya.
Application Process
The application deadline is 13 November 2025.
Applicants should note that One Acre Fund does not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication will always originate from an @oneacrefund.org email address. Suspicious communication should be reported to [email protected], but application materials should not be sent to this address.
Equal Opportunity Statement
One Acre Fund is committed to fostering a workplace culture grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates are invited to apply through the official application platform.
