Senior Financial Specialists (2 Positions) at Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF)

Purpose

The Job holder isresponsible in supporting at least 7 WSPs to optimise their financial operations in line with their business objectives and mandate. The Officer will work closely with WSPs management to perform financial analysis, developing financial models, assess financial risk and preparing financial forecasts and strategies. In addition, the Officer will assist WSPs establish and improve their institutional structural unit, capabilities, impact and effectiveness by conducting comprehensive assessments of existing institutional structures, policies and procedures to identify areas for improvement and development. In execution of its duties, the Officer will engage with stakeholders to understand organisational objectives, challenges, and opportunities, and subsequently formulating tailored strategies and action plans to address identified gaps.

Reporting

• The Senior Finance Specialist, CVF Programme will report to the CVF Programme Coordinator and work closely with the Managing Director of the various WSPs in addition to the Counties leadership.
• In addition, the Officer is expected to work closely with the Senior WASH Officer while taking lead during the execution of the CVF Programme activities.

Job Description

The following are specific duties and tasks of the Senior Financial Specialist:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of financial cash flows including revenue streams, operating expenses, capital expenditures debt management. Identify areas for optimisation i.e. Non-Revenue Water management to improve overall financial performance.
• Conduct WSPs organisational assessments.
• Evaluate the current business model to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Recommend strategies for enhancing the business model to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assess process efficiencies related to water delivery especially on software’s and technologies involved and billing processes for improvement of revenue streams.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of tariff structures in similar water utilities. Provide recommendations for adjusting tariff structures to ensure competitiveness and fairness while maximising revenue and maintaining affordability for customers.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan for recommended strategies. Outline timelines and resource requirements for executing the proposed initiatives.
• Carry out financial analysis and determine optimal financial cash flows of the water utility, including revenue streams, operating expenses, and capital expenditures.
• Formulate viable Business models and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to recommend strategies for improvement.
• Carry out system evaluation and process efficiencies related to water delivery to customers, billing processes, and tariff structures to identify areas for enhancement.
• Analyse tariff structures in similar water utilities to ensure competitiveness and provide recommendations for enhancing revenue generation while maintaining customer affordability.
• Develop an implementation plan for recommended strategies, including timelines and resource requirements.
• Provide capacity building, mentorship and coaching to the WSPs on financial matters and institutional development.
•  Support the WSPs to develop strategies to address identified gaps and challenges aimed at supporting the improvement of the WSPs performance, strategic focus, organisation culture, systems or structures.
• Support WSPs in identifying partnerships both public and private that can work together to facilitate the realisation their goals and objectives.
• Support the assessment of effectiveness of interventions, refining approaches based on feedback and emerging needs, and advocating for necessary institutional reforms with the WSPs to support long-term growth and resilience.

Qualifications

The following qualifications, experience and skills are required:

• A Masters Degree in Finance, Organisational Development or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or relevant field.
• Must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPAK) or Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA).
• Valid practicing certificate with EBK.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in the financial field, 4 of which must be relevant experience in financial and institutional development at a senior role.
• Demonstrate track record on business management with success in enhancing profitability (O&M cost coverage), operations efficiency and human resource management for a commercial entity.
• Relevant experience in the water sector and water utility operations.
• Professional experience in developing comprehensive institutional capacity building plans and strategies.
• Previous working experience in investment appraisal, project finance and corporate finance with understanding of financial cash-flow modelling.
• Good computer skills in word processing, spread sheets and data modelling.
• Good communication skills with demonstrated skills for reporting, knowledge transfer and advocacy.

Duration of the assignment

• This is a temporary position for a period of one year with a possibility of extension depending on availability of funds