Accountant , WRI Kenya

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in WRI Africa’s office in Nairobi, Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. 

About the Program:

Our vision for Africa is an inclusive transformation so Africa’s people and landscapes flourish. WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across four strategic pillars: vital landscapes, Energy, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation.

https://www.wri.org/wri-africa

WRI Operations team supports the crucial front-line work of the organization, they directly interact and work with Donors, Partners, Government agencies, Statutory bodies, Trustees, Vendors, and Consultants in providing support in different operational areas and solving problems so that WRI programs can be implemented without any hurdles and the program staff and researchers can develop high quality research documents, plans and implement the programs at the field level.

WRI Operations team strive for operational excellence across all functions starting with the recruitment, retention and management of WRI’s staff, our most important asset. We manage our endowment, the contributions entrusted to us, and our facilities in ways that are in line with our values and advance our mission. We maintain strict budgetary planning and financial controls to ensure that all contributions are managed in compliance with donors’ regulations.

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will be responsible for executing the day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping functions for WRI Kenya, ensuring accurate and timely recording of financial transactions in accordance with WRI internal controls, donor requirements, and applicable statutory and regulatory frameworks. You will support the full accounting cycle, including transaction processing, reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close activities, while ensuring completeness, accuracy, and proper documentation of all financial records.

You will work closely with the Africa Finance and Accounting team, as well as Operations and Program teams, to support efficient financial operations, consistent application of policies and procedures, and effective coordination across systems and processes. You will also collaborate with the global accounting team to ensure alignment with organizational standards and reporting requirements.

You will report to Senior Finance Manager.

What you will do:

Finance and Accounting Responsibilities (50%)

• Conduct the first level review of invoices submitted in Workday ERP to ensure they are adequately supported and coded correctly.
• Create invoices in Workday ERP for the Operations departments as may be required.
• Perform the initial review of accounting adjustments and journal entries submitted, including reclassifications, accruals, and other manual journals.
• Prepare and upload payroll, fringe benefit, and other accounting journal entries in the ERP system, ensuring completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation.
• Manage the supplier onboarding process for WRI Kenya.
• Support internal, statutory and donor audits by preparing schedules and providing the required supporting documentation.
• Manage staff advances and receivables, ensuring timely reconciliation and follow-up.
• Support the monthly reconciliation of assigned general ledger accounts.
• Assist with monthly and year-end financial close processes.
• Maintain an organized and efficient archiving system for Finance and Accounting documents within SharePoint.
• Monitor WRI Kenya's cash position, support the preparation of funding requests, and coordinate banking and cash management activities to ensure adequate liquidity for operational and program needs.

Payment Processing Responsibilities (40%)

• Process and settle vendor and sub awardees payments.
• Process staff advances and staff expense reimbursements in a timely and accurate manner.
• Collaborate closely with program teams to facilitate mobile money disbursements to participants.
• Ensure timely remittance of payroll related statutory deductions, including PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, NITA levy and other applicable taxes such as withholding tax, to the relevant government authorities in accordance with statutory deadlines.

Payroll & Administration Support (10%)

• Support the Senior Finance Manager in the preparation of monthly payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure the timely distribution of monthly payslips and annual P9 forms to staff.
• Prepare and file all payroll related statutory returns in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with HR to maintain up-to-date and accurate staff leave balances.
• Support the review, update, and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the IT and Administration Manager to maintain an accurate and up-to-date fixed asset register.
• Provide support to the Administration Manager in procurement, logistics, and contract administration activities for the operations department.
• Provide guidance to both existing and new employees on timesheet completion and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with program and core staff to ensure timely submission and approval of timesheets.
• Perform any additional duties as may be assigned by the Senior Finance Manager

What you will need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field.
• Professional Qualification: You are a CPA Finalist.
• Experience: You have 3+ years’ full-time relevant work experience in accounting and Finance Department, preferably in the NGO sector
• Experience applying accounting principles in the processing and recording of financial transactions
• Experience processing accounting transactions in an ERP environment
• Experience handling high volume transactional accounting work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and advanced Excel skills.
• Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to support visa applications. 

Potential Salary:

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 26th June 2026. Internal applicants should submit their application through the Jobs Hub portal in Workday. External applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.

#LI-DNI