Project Accountant

Fondazione L'Albero della Vita (FADV) — The Tree of Life — is an Italian humanitarian organization with roots going back to 1996, dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in difficult circumstances across the globe. In Kenya, FADV implements development projects in partnership with local and international stakeholders, and is now seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Project Accountant to support its Nairobi-based operations.

Reporting to the Finance Officer, the Project Accountant will be responsible for the day-to-day financial and accounting management of FADV's Kenyan projects. This is a contract, full-time role suited to a finance professional who thrives in an NGO or INGO environment, understands donor compliance requirements, and is committed to financial integrity and transparency in humanitarian work.

• Process and record all financial transactions related to office and project expenditures, maintaining a well-organized and audit-ready filing system.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and fully reconciled accounting records to monitor the financial status of all project activities.
• Review payment requests to ensure figures are reconciled with the financial management system before disbursement.
• Monitor and record all financial services including payments, fund transfers, partner disbursements, accounts payable and receivable, prepaid accounts, accruals, and payroll in line with FADV policies and procedures.
• Maintain all payment vouchers, accounting logbooks, and supporting documentation in an organized and accessible manner.
• Ensure accuracy of accounting entries and adequacy of supporting documents for every transaction.
• Prepare monthly payroll and generate payroll reports including statutory deduction schedules.
• Ensure timely compliance with submission of statutory deductions — NHIF, NSSF, PAYE, HELB, and other applicable deductions.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and submit for review and approval by the 5th of each month.
• Facilitate project procurement requirements in accordance with FADV's procurement policy and AICS/PRAG guidelines.
• Support the Finance Officer in preparing financial reports for all FADV projects implemented in Kenya.
• Assist with preparation and regular updating of project asset and inventory records.
• Support the Finance Officer in drafting and reviewing contracts with suppliers, partners, and service providers.
• Participate actively in internal and external audit processes, providing required documentation and explanations.

• Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance option), Economics, or a related field — a professional certification (CPA, ACCA Part II or above) is a strong added advantage.
• Must demonstrate at least 3 years of hands-on accounting experience, preferably within an NGO, INGO, or donor-funded project environment.
• Must be proficient in financial management systems and accounting software; experience with QuickBooks or similar platforms is expected.
• Must be able to prepare accurate bank reconciliations, payroll computations, and statutory compliance filings independently and on time.
• Must demonstrate a thorough understanding of Kenyan statutory requirements including KRA PAYE, NSSF, NHIF, and HELB deduction frameworks.
• Must have experience working with donor financial reporting requirements and procurement guidelines such as PRAG or equivalent frameworks.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational skills — able to maintain complete, audit-ready filing systems for financial and project documents.
• Must communicate effectively in written and spoken English; ability to liaise professionally with partners, suppliers, and auditors is essential.
• Must show a high degree of integrity, attention to detail, and ability to work under tight reporting deadlines.

FADV offers a competitive contract remuneration package benchmarked to NGO/INGO sector rates in Kenya. The estimated monthly gross salary for this role falls in the range of KES 80,000 – KES 130,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and the organization's pay scale. Additional benefits typical of INGO contracts may apply.

This role is ideal for a finance professional with at least 3 years of experience in project accounting within an NGO, development organization, or donor-funded environment. You are a self-starter who can manage multiple financial tasks simultaneously, maintain meticulous records, and produce reliable reports under deadline pressure. You understand the importance of compliance and donor stewardship, and you are motivated by the mission of improving children's and young people's lives.

Please do not apply if you have no prior NGO or project-based accounting experience, if you are not familiar with Kenyan statutory compliance requirements, or if you are looking for a permanent civil service-style role — this is a contract position with a defined project scope.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the FADV official recruitment portal or the job platform where this posting appears. Prepare and attach: (1) an updated CV highlighting relevant NGO/project accounting experience, (2) a cover letter addressed to the HR/Finance team at FADV Kenya explaining your suitability for the role, and (3) copies of relevant academic and professional certificates. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Important: Never pay any fee — for notarisation, certificates, or any assessment — as part of this or any legitimate recruitment process.