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Finance Officer (Accounting)

Nairobi, Kenya

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by providing cash grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of it on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid – as the index fund is a benchmark for the financial industry – and in the process accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

GD has raised over $1B since launching in 2011, delivered cash to more than 1.5 million people in 15 different countries. We’ve also supported large-scale, experimental research that indicates strong recipient impact of our programs. As a result, GD has been celebrated as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company, while the growing cash transfer movement (and GD’s leading role within it) have been featured in the New York Times Magazine, This American Life, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist.

Our culture is candid, analytical, agile, and non-hierarchical. Our global team of ~150, and country operations teams of ~650, together come from 21 different countries speaking 69 different languages. Team members bring experiences from the private sector, NGOs and government. From software engineers to seasoned humanitarian workers, former management consultants to public servants, researchers to field operations -- it’s an incredible group of people.

Our values are central and deliberately opinionated. We genuinely center the people we serve in our decision making, and strive to build an ambitious, fast moving and high performing environment. We strongly encourage you to read through our values carefully, if they reflect how you like to work and energize you, this could be a great fit.

We work hard to create an environment in which all our team members can thrive, succeed and grow.  We support flexibility, take care of each other, have fun, and create professional growth opportunities.

Priority application deadline: March 23rd, 2025

Role overview

This role is remote, but candidates must be based in Nairobi or Lilongwe

The Finance team currently supports finance and accounting activities in eight countries in Africa. As a member of the regional finance team, the Accounting Officer will support the finance and accounting team, and as assigned, fill in other roles from time to time. 

We are looking for someone with a good technical background, strong analytical skills, strong collaboration and communication skills, an endless drive for improvement, a solutions-oriented mindset, an ability to deliver high-quality accounting on tight deadlines, and the flexibility to adapt to quickly changing needs while being highly detail-oriented. 

What you’ll do:

 Accounting

  • Documenting transactions in accordance with GD's global bookkeeping standards in GD's accounting software
  • Reconciling bank statements
  • Participating in financial audits and in special reporting to donors and regulatory bodies (immigration, NGO regulator etc )
  • Implementing payment and procurement protocols, including ensuring proper documentation and adherence to controls
  • Implementing asset management protocols including asset verifications and reconciliations
  • Preparing and presenting budget to actual reports
  • Implementing compliance requirements from tax regulators and donors
  • Assisting in budget preparation and management activities
  • Assisting on other monthly and periodic close tasks as assigned with time

 

What you will bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or equivalent practical experience
  • Professional experience in accounting or finance will be an added advantage
  • Professional qualification (such as CPA/ ACCA) will be an added advantage 
  • Working language competence in English
  • Competence in advanced excel is required
  • Alignment to GD values 
  • Bonus: Ability to work in a fast-paced, start-up, or matrix work environment.

 

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US applicants only:  We invite you to "Know Your Rights" as an applicant.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization serving some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment issues relating to potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.

GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we serve, and prevent harm to our recipients.

 

Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application? Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide!

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