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in the Kyrgyz Republic

Vacancies

Grants Finance Officer

Agency: AKF
Deadline: 12 January 2025 г.

Start date: January 2025

Report to: 

  • Direct: AKF UK Finance
  • Dotted line: AP Kyrgyzstan CFO

Technical advisory: AKF KG and AKF TJ CFOs

Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Base: The position is seconded to Accelerate Prosperity and will be based at the office of AP Kyrgyzstan. 

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest communities in the world. With an emphasis on women and girls, AKF invests in human potential, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life. AKF was established in the Kyrgyz Republic to support sustainable socio-economic development in mountain communities by building partnerships. AKF aspires to improve the quality of life and self-reliance of young people and women in the Kyrgyz Republic through inclusive and innovative community-driven solutions, constant learning, and integrity.

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) is a global initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network(AKDN) in Central and South Asia which offers creative financial solutions as well as pre and post-investment technical assistance to help grow early-stage businesses, startups, and innovative ideas. AP with the vision for an inclusive and prosperous society powered by entrepreneurs, intends to inspire rising entrepreneurs in emerging regions to grow new markets, create sustainable employment, and strengthen communities. AP program is mandated to facilitate the creation of sustainable and commercially viable Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) in priority sectors of Agribusiness, ICT, Education and ECD, Textiles, Hospitality, Green Growth, and Health. 

Background:

AKF and AP have secured funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) funding, supplemented by AKDN’s own contributions, to fund the “Central Asian Green Inclusive Growth Fund (GIG)”, comprised of two components, leveraging activities and initiatives from each of components:

Component 1: Central Asia Green Inclusive Growth Fund’s SME Investment Finance Facility (GIG-IFF)

The objective of Component 1 is to increase access of startups and small and growing businesses (SGBs) to diversified investment through an established GIG Investment Finance Facility and other investors via intermediate outputs of:

  • GIG Investment Finance Facility established for Central Asia
  • Increased pool of investment-ready startups/SGBs available for financing from the GIG Investment Finance Facility and other investors

Increased availability of data-driven documented learning and evidence about innovative investments in women-led and green startups/SGBs

Component 2: Central Asia Green Inclusive Growth Fund’s Business Development Services (GIG-BDS) - The overall objective of Component 2 is to foster green and inclusive entrepreneurship sector to support Central Asia in its transition toward a green and inclusive economy that tackles inequality while supporting economic diversification covering all Central Asian countries, namely Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (Turkmenistan will be based on outcomes of initial feasibility study).

The specific objective of this Component is that entrepreneurs achieve improved competitiveness and success in starting, maintaining, and growing profitable, innovative, and green startups, and small and growing businesses (SGBs). GIG-BDS will achieve this through:

  • Innovative startups/SGBs supported through tailored training and advisory services in priority sectors
  • Blended digital platform (Virtual Accelerate) upgraded and expanded
  • Startups/SGBs supported to raise investments promote market linkages and trade
  • Increased availability of documented learning and evidence about women-led, people living with disabilities-led, and green entrepreneurship and trade

The creation of new start-up enterprises, the growth of small businesses, and a focus on youth, women, and people with disabilities-led ventures will be critical. GIG-BDS aims to contribute to positive trends in Gross National Income, and  Gender Development Index scores and contribute to relevant Sustainable Development goals.

AKF Kyrgyz Republic is actively looking for a Grants Finance Officer who shall be responsible for the financial management of the recently awarded multi-country action “Central Asia Green Inclusive Growth Initiative” which will be implemented in Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (and Turkmenistan, pending outcome of the feasibility study). We are seeking a highly motivated individual who is passionate about promoting entrepreneurship in Central Asia and has the required financial management experience, specifically in FCDO-funded projects, to be able to facilitate the implementation of a complex four-country action in liaison with country-specific implementation teams. The successful candidate is expected to actively contribute to shaping the PMU and effectively meet all reporting and compliance requirements of the action in liaison with country-specific programme and finance teams of the Aga Khan Foundation and Accelerate Prosperity country, regional, and global teams. The Grants Finance Officer will be responsible for oversight and management of three implementing partners in Central Asia, and support AP Kyrgyzstan with regional budgets and grants administered.

This action is planned to be leveraged for possible funding from other donors and investors for Central Asia and may be added to the structure of the programme, also under management and oversight of the existing role as additional tasks on donor deliverables and project financial management. Restructuring will be explored as relevant to expanded responsibilities.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

  • to oversee the full grant lifecycle up to the financial close-out, ensuring compliance with FCDO and AKDN policies and regulations;
  • to monitor fund utilization to ensure that funds are spent according to approved budgets and in line with project objectives;
  • to manage cash flow for the project, ensuring that funds are available when required for project activities and disbursements are made in a timely manner to minimize the risk of under or over-spending;
  • to implement systems for tracking expenditures providing updates on the status of funds and any potential variances with an emphasis on transparency and accountability;
  • to provide financial training and technical support to AKF units ensuring that they have the necessary skills and understanding of the grants management requirements and compliance procedures as well as reporting requirements;
  • to collaborate with program and operations teams to ensure that financial data aligns with programmatic data and objectives and that financial reporting reflects program realities;
  • to prepare and submit financial reports and narratives for donor reporting ensuring that they meet both the format and content requirements specified by the donor;
  • to identify and manage financial risks, ensuring that risks related to financial management and donor compliance are proactively identified and mitigated;
  • to oversee the development and implementation of internal control systems and ensure that these controls are being followed by all partners;
  • to communicate with the donor on financial matters ensuring that they are kept informed of project progress and that financial reporting aligns with donor requirements and is submitted within agreed timeframes;
  • to conduct and facilitate internal and external project audits and evaluations with assistance from AKF CFOs and AP CFO;

Requirements:

  • Education
    • (Required) Com, MS Finance, MBA Finance, ICMA, or an equivalent recognized professional qualification
    • (Required) Minimum 5 years of relevant hands-on experience specifically in managing projects funded by FCDO and other donors.
    • (Preferable) Experience working in Central Asia
    • (Preferable) Experience in projects related to entrepreneurship, business development, SMEs, etc.
  • Technical Knowledge
    • (Required) Strong knowledge and command of the IFRS, ISA, and internal control systems.
    • (Required) Knowledge of FCDO Compliance and Reporting Requirements.
    • (Required) Knowledge of Financial Reporting Templates used by FCDO.
    • Excellent writing and reporting skills.
    • Computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Soft Skills
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and Russian are preferred. Other relevant local languages an asset (e.g., Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, Kazakh, Turkmen, etc.).
  • Highly proactive and passionate about work.
  • Capable of producing high-quality results within often tight deadlines.
  • Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
  • Ability to distill large volumes of data in short periods of time.
  • Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated record of professional development/growth.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work through complex models to determine the key assumptions, implicit caveats, and limitations.
  • Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all levels of management.

AKF offers a competitive remuneration package and a conducive working environment. We are an equal-opportunity employer - women are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and CV with the subject line “FCDO PMU: Grants and Finance Officer” by 12 January 2025  to akf.hr.kg@akdn.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews.

“The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is committed to safeguarding, which means it promotes respectful relations with and between all staff, associates, beneficiaries, and wider communities with whom it works, and takes all reasonable measures to prevent harm, including all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (PSEAH), bullying, discrimination, harassment and abuse of power that may arise from contact with its staff, programmes or operations.

AKF also adheres to child safeguarding principles, as set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s), employment history and any potential history of misconduct. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a full background check.

All employees of AKF are required to adhere to the organizational safeguarding standards and principles and at all times to act with dignity, respect and to contribute to a safe environment free from any type of harassment, abuse or discrimination.

For more information about AKDN, please visit www.akdn.org

For more information about AP, please visit www.accelerateprosperity.org