The National Research Fund has announced an employment opportunity for a senior professional role within its finance function. This recruitment is part of the Fund’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional governance, enhance financial accountability, and ensure prudent management of public resources entrusted to the organization. The position is offered on permanent and pensionable terms and is based at the National Research Fund offices in Nairobi.
The National Research Fund is a public institution mandated to mobilize, manage, and disburse financial resources for research, science, technology, and innovation in Kenya. In carrying out this mandate, the Fund operates within a regulated public finance environment that requires strict adherence to financial laws, regulations, and best practices. The Principal Accountant position plays a central role in supporting this mandate by providing leadership in financial accounting, reporting, and compliance, while ensuring that financial operations are efficient, transparent, and aligned with approved policies and procedures.
This job advertisement is intended for publication on a third-party job board and provides a comprehensive overview of the available position, including its responsibilities, terms of service, remuneration details, and application process. All information presented reflects the official requirements as provided, without additional interpretation or modification.
Overview of the Position
The National Research Fund invites applications from qualified persons for the position of Principal Accountant. This is a senior-level role within the finance and accounts function, responsible for coordinating and overseeing critical accounting activities across the organization. The successful candidate will be expected to provide strategic and operational leadership in financial accounting, ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations, and contribute to sound financial management practices that support the Fund’s objectives.
The position is classified under Scale NRF 5 and is offered on permanent and pensionable terms. One vacancy is available under this recruitment.
Position Details
Position Title: Principal Accountant
Reference Number: NRF/04/2026
Number of Posts: One (1)
Scale: NRF 5
Terms of Service: Permanent and Pensionable
Remuneration Package
The Principal Accountant position attracts a competitive remuneration package as provided under the National Research Fund salary structure for Scale NRF 5. The details of the remuneration package are as follows:
Basic Salary:
96,813 x 3,873 – 100,686 x 4,027 – 104,713 x 4,712 – 109,425 x 4,924 – 114,349 x 5,146 – 119,495 x 5,377 – 124,872 x 5,427 – 130,299
House Allowance:
35,000 per month
Commuter Allowance:
8,000 per month
The above remuneration components are subject to statutory deductions and applicable public service regulations.
Role Purpose
The role of Principal Accountant is to coordinate, supervise, and ensure effective implementation of financial accounting policies, systems, and procedures within the National Research Fund. The position is responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately recorded, properly authorized, and reported in a timely manner. The role also involves safeguarding financial assets, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and supporting management decision-making through the preparation of reliable financial reports.
The Principal Accountant operates in a highly regulated public finance environment and is expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of government financial management frameworks, internal controls, and audit requirements. The position requires close collaboration with internal departments, external auditors, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
Detailed Job Description and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Principal Accountant are broad in scope and require both technical expertise and leadership capability. The role entails, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
The Principal Accountant will coordinate the implementation of financial accounting policies, strategies, and plans across the National Research Fund. This includes ensuring that approved accounting policies are consistently applied, updated where necessary, and aligned with relevant laws, regulations, and standards governing public sector financial management.
The role involves ensuring the timely payment of expenditures in accordance with approved budgets, work plans, and financial procedures. This responsibility includes overseeing payment processes to confirm that all expenditures are properly authorized, supported by appropriate documentation, and processed within established timelines to support smooth organizational operations.
The Principal Accountant will be responsible for verifying internal and external audit reports and coordinating responses to audit queries. This includes reviewing audit findings, facilitating access to financial records during audits, and ensuring that audit recommendations are addressed through appropriate corrective actions. The role requires close engagement with auditors to promote transparency and accountability in financial reporting.
A key responsibility of the position is ensuring the safe custody of cash, cheques, financial records, and other accountable documents. The Principal Accountant will oversee systems and controls designed to safeguard financial assets and ensure that financial records are securely maintained, accurate, and accessible for authorized use.
The position involves evaluating and scrutinizing expenditure proposals submitted by various departments. This responsibility requires assessing proposals for compliance with approved budgets, financial regulations, and organizational priorities, and providing professional advice to management on the financial implications of proposed expenditures.
The Principal Accountant will ensure proper interpretation and implementation of financial regulations and procedures. This includes providing guidance to staff on financial rules, ensuring adherence to government financial management guidelines, and promoting consistent application of procedures across the organization.
Verification of payment vouchers and commitment documents is a core function of the role. The Principal Accountant will review these documents to ensure compliance with approved procedures, rules, and regulations before payments are authorized. This function is critical in maintaining financial discipline and preventing irregular or unauthorized expenditures.
The role also entails ensuring the provision of quality and timely accounting services to internal stakeholders. This includes responding to accounting queries, supporting departmental financial needs, and contributing to efficient service delivery through well-coordinated accounting processes.
The Principal Accountant will coordinate the preparation of management and statutory financial reports. This includes overseeing the compilation of periodic financial statements, budget performance reports, and other required reports for internal management, oversight bodies, and regulatory authorities. Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness are essential in fulfilling this responsibility.
Maintaining an inventory of all bank accounts of the National Research Fund and their approved signatories is another key responsibility. The Principal Accountant will ensure that bank account records are up to date, authorized signatories are properly documented, and changes to signatories are processed in accordance with established procedures.
The role requires ensuring effective handling of taxation matters of the National Research Fund. This includes overseeing compliance with applicable tax laws, timely remittance of statutory deductions, and proper accounting for tax-related transactions. The Principal Accountant will liaise with relevant tax authorities as required to address compliance issues.
The Principal Accountant will also be responsible for authorizing payments and identifying suitable cheque signatories in accordance with approved authority levels and internal controls. This function is critical in ensuring that financial transactions are conducted responsibly and in line with governance requirements.
In addition to the above duties, the Principal Accountant may be required to perform any other accounting-related responsibilities assigned by management from time to time, provided such duties are within the scope of the position and the organization’s mandate.
Reporting and Working Relationships
The Principal Accountant will work within the finance and accounts function and will be expected to collaborate closely with other accounting staff, departmental heads, and senior management. The role involves regular interaction with internal and external auditors, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders involved in financial oversight and reporting.
The position requires a high level of professional integrity, confidentiality, and accountability, given the sensitive nature of financial information handled by the role.
Application Procedure
Candidates who meet the above criteria are advised to submit the following documents as part of their application:
A filled Application for Employment Form
A cover letter
A detailed curriculum vitae
A copy of the National Identification Card
Copies of academic and professional certificates
Other relevant testimonials
Applications should be submitted either electronically or in hard copy, as outlined below.
Electronic applications should be sent to the following email address:
[email protected]
Alternatively, applicants may deliver hard copy applications with the envelope clearly marked with the relevant reference number of the position being applied for. Hard copy applications should be delivered to the following address:
Chief Executive Officer
National Research Fund
NACOSTI Plaza, 3rd Floor
Upper Kabete
P.O. Box 26036 – 00100
Nairobi
Applicants are advised to clearly indicate the reference number NRF/04/2026 on the application envelope or in the email subject line, as applicable.
Deadline for Applications
The deadline for submission of applications is 17th February, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted. Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The National Research Fund is an equal opportunity employer and selects candidates on merit through fair and open competition from the widest range of eligible candidates. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
