Program Accountant at TechnoServe

Job Title: Program Accountant

Reporting to: Program Manager

Grade: 7

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

About TechnoServe

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics, and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase, and living conditions for families get better, they can access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.  

Role Description

The Program Accountant will be responsible for providing comprehensive financial management and accounting support to program activities, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance with both donor requirements and TechnoServe policies. Reporting directly to the Program Manager, with a dotted line to the Kenya Platform Financial Controller, the role will oversee the processing of financial transactions, budget tracking, financial reporting, and audit preparation, while maintaining accurate program records. This position plays a key role in supporting effective resource utilization and ensuring the program’s financial integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Transactions & Accounting

• Manage project financial records, process payments, and maintain accurate ledgers, cash books, and program files.
• Review invoices, staff advances, and reimbursements for accuracy, authorization, and correct coding.
• Ensure payroll data is captured accurately and charged to the correct donor cost codes.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations and resolve outstanding items promptly.
• Support financial documentation and maintain compliance with TechnoServe, GIZ, and donor requirements.

Budget Monitoring & Reporting

• Track program expenditures against budgets and flag variances for management action.
• Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and donor requirements.
• Support budget reviews, forecasts, and burn rate analysis.
• Ensure all financial data is accurate, complete, and submitted within set deadlines.

Partner Financial Support & Compliance

• Review subaward/partner financial reports and supporting documentation for accuracy.
• Monitor partner expenditure against approved budgets and donor regulations.
• Provide financial training and technical assistance to partners and field staff.
• Ensure program financial operations comply with donor rules, TechnoServe policies, and statutory regulations.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules and documentation.
• Assist in implementing audit recommendations and strengthening program-level controls.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality regarding sensitive financial information.

Asset & Procurement Support

• Maintain and update the fixed asset register and ensure effective safeguarding of project assets.
• Support periodic asset verification and resource utilization reviews.
• Collaborate with procurement staff to ensure compliance with donor and TechnoServe procurement policies.

Required Skills and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business-related courses, e.g, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, etc. 
• Professional Qualification in CPA, ACCA, and CMA is a MUST. 
• 3-5years of financial accounting experience, preferably in an NGO environment 
• Excellent IT skills with experience in operating computer-based financial management systems 
• Competent to advanced level in Microsoft Excel 
• Experience and knowledge of Serenic Navigator is highly preferred 
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision 
• Experience in working with projects funded by international donors 
• Working knowledge of donor compliance rules and regulations 
• Willingness and ability to take the initiative in identifying problems, suggesting solutions, and implementing agreed solutions. 

Success Factors:

Competency is a combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) directly related to successful performance on the job.

Core Competencies include:

• Integrity and honesty: Is widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information appropriately and helpfully; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent himself or herself for personal gain. 
• Team Work/ Relationships:  Works co-operatively and flexibly with other members of the team with a full understanding of the role to be played as a team member and/or leader, to achieve a common goal.  Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and networks.
• Learning attitude:  Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn. Actively identifies new areas for learning; applies and shares new knowledge and skills appropriately.
• Diversity/Inclusiveness:  Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts. Interacts effectively and inclusively with people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, ages, and genders. 
• Communication:  Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations. Listens effectively; shares information, ideas, and arguments; adjusts terminology, language, and communication modes to the needs of the audience; ensures accurate understanding; acts in a way that facilitates open exchange of ideas and information; uses appropriate non-verbal communication.
• Decision making/Problem Solving: Can analyze situations, diagnose problems, identify the key issues, establish and evaluate alternative courses of action, and produce a logical, practical, and acceptable solution.  Can make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary.
• Results-Oriented/ High Quality Deliverables:  Stays focused on the efforts necessary to achieve quality results consistent with programmatic or departmental goals. Demonstrates the ability to achieve effective results; works persistently to overcome obstacles to goal achievement. Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; and accurately checking processes and tasks.
• Planning & Time Management:  Establishes a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal. Effectively plans, schedules, prioritizes, and controls activities; identifies, integrates, and orchestrates resources (people, material, information, budget, and/or time) to accomplish goals. Prioritizes work according to the program or department’s goals, not just own job responsibilities; manages own time effectively.
• Business Acumen:  The ability to use information, ask the right questions, and make decisions that make an impact on the overall business performance.

Job Specific/Technical Competencies include:

• Financial & Resource Management: The ability to estimate, justify, and manage appropriate funding levels to support goal accomplishment. Managing Resources is about understanding human, financial, and operational resource issues to make decisions aimed at building and planning efficient project workflows and improving overall organizational performance. 
• Computer Literacy: Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use specific computer programs or applications for own functional area. Has the ability to improve performance by integrating new and existing technology into the workplace. 
• Donor/Partnership Management: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, or organizations to help achieve business goals. 
• Analysis, Research, Report Writing: Experience in business planning and analysis, modeling for feasibility and execution. Able to analyze and express oneself clearly in business writing. 
• Innovative Mindset: Curious inquiries, asks questions, and seeks out information from multiple sources, learns from mistakes, sees change as an opportunity. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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