Organization: Adeso – African Development Solutions, www.adesoafrica.org
Position Title: Project & Finance Associate/EA
Reporting To: Managing Director, Adeso Africa Subsidiaries
Program/Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
SEND CV to: [email protected]
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Adeso is a dynamic African-based development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities that are on the path toward realizing their full potential by working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy. For the past 30 years, we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer, and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
Adeso has successfully launched social enterprises and subsidiaries, such as Ladhan Investment Company Ltd. Libin Investment Company Ltd., and Kuja, each with the aim of building the ecosystem needed to confront the legacy of colonialism. These entities all fall under the private sector arm of Adeso, while Adeso’s humanitarian programmes and internal operations fall under under the non-profit arm of Adeso and are led by Programme Leads and Department Heads. Through this portfolio of solutions, we work to connect, design, launch and scale the most promising innovations that will be a catalyst for community-led change. As a recognized leader in the global effort to decolonize the humanitarian and development aid system, Adeso leads coalitions working with civil society leaders, funders, INGOs and aid agencies that are designed to shift power and resources to those most proximate to the world’s most urgent challenges.
SCOPE OF WORK
This role is an ‘all round’ high end generalist ‘Executive Assistant type’ with project management, accounting & finance modeling, and budget development experience. The PFA Associate will work closely with the Managing Director ofAdeso’s subsidiaries whose responsibilities are heavily focused on the financial and operational excellence of 3 separate for-profit businesses: Kuja, Skyview Real Estate Portfolio and Durdur Water Enterprises in Somalia.
The PFA will support the MD by providing project management and administrative expertise to support all 3 companies with financial modeling, planning, reporting, budgeting, and communications. This person will offer guidance and insight into all Adeso financial matters as they are highly relevant to all 3 companies. There is also a strong Human Capital and talent acquisition element that requires discretion, creativity and coordination with the wider Adeso HR Team. Underpinning these activities is the ‘cultural element’ as the subsidiaries transition from a culture of non-profit to one that is closer to a global, profit driven social enterprise.
SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support Adeso’s Subsidiaries (100%):
· Work with the MD and the leadership team to ensure that Adeso subsidiaries, (Kuja, Skyview and Durdur), have robust processes and policies in place
· Support and coordinate draft of business plan and solid financial structure that safeguards the subsidiaries’financial health and assist in their long-term plans of becoming fully independent.
· Generating financial reports, budgets, cost control methods and forecasts to Adeso’s leadership team as well as conducting research on different revenue and financial strategies.
· Support the development of products, pricing, market development and business development with department heads and leaders
· Coordinate the project and task deliveries across the subsidiaries
The Administrative Functions:
· Coordinate schedules with the Executive Director and her leadership team
· Prepare for strategic and leadership meetings
· Budget and expense review pertaining to travel and daily ops
· Support and help craft SOPs and policy development for all of the subsidiaries especially at the growth and launch stages
· Strategic coordination with the MDs team leads and department heads
· Support MD with OKRs and KPIs for all subsidiaries
· Support the development of early stage and post MVP stage business plans for subsidiaries
· Support coordination of pre and post travel administrative support (tickets, visas, per Diems, etc.)
· Other tasks as needed
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field required.
· Minimum of 5 years in a related sector or as a high-end Executive Assistant
· Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working in social enterprises and the private sectors is required
· Understanding of Non-profit or NGO finance is a PLUS
· PMP Certification or 3 years defined Project Management experience and project completion is ESSENTIAL
· NO CPAs!! NO VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS!!
Strategic Thinking & EQ Skills:
· Ability to see the ‘route’ and the end goal of an initiative
· Must be able to anticipate future consequences and trends
· Exceptional capacity for working well with in teams and building strong relationships with all levels of employees.
· Initiative and commonsense! A self-starter with the ability to work independently
· Confident and comfortable in fast paced environment
· Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities
· Must be comfortable balancing tasks and goals between people and systems
· Strong project management skills and experience
· Equally strong and versatile with numbers, verbal and written communications
Technical Skills:
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
· Experience with financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP) is a plus.
· Project Management: Experience with tools like Asana for tracking project progress.
· Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Personal Attributes:
- Detail-oriented with strong accuracy in managing documentation and research.
- Proactive and solution-oriented, with a collaborative mindset.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
· Discretion is an absolute must
- Additional Requirements:
- Fluency in English. Proficiency in Somali is an advantage.
- Must be based in Nairobi – ‘this job requires going to places to do things’
- Business oriented. Must be bottom line and profit minded
Training/Upskilling Needs:
- Advanced Project Management skills
- Finance Modeling Abilities
Please note:
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Its’ purpose is to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holder(s) within this role.
SEND CV to: [email protected]
