Application Deadline: Friday, 17 February 2023 at 5:00 pm (EAT)
Context

Hewatele Limited is a locally registered social enterprise set up with a key mandate to ensure oxygen is available, affordably to all needy patients. The organization is an affiliate of Center for Public Health and Development (CPHD), a non-profit organization based in Nairobi. Hewatele manufactures and distributes Medical Oxygen Gas using a milkman model on Last Mile basis via purpose-built distribution fleet through a network of five large medical oxygen PSA plants across Kenya.

Hewatele’s first oxygen plant was a PPP setup with the County Government of Siaya and funded by The GE Foundation back in 2014. In year 2016, Hewatele entered into a new PPP arrangement with County Governments of Nakuru and Nairobi to set up Duplex Medical Oxygen PSA plants in partnership with UNICEF and support from UBS Optimus Foundation.

As at close of year 2022, Hewatele operates and maintains five (5) PSA productions with combined daily production capacity of 450 cylinders of medical oxygen gas, serving over 300 health facilities across five (5) counties. Over 80% of the health facilities are public government hospitals while the balance is private and faith-based hospitals. Hewatele also has a partnership project in Uganda with Joint Medical Services and a Supply and Maintenance partnership program with World Health Organization in Somalia having commissioned six (6) new Duplex PSA plants.

Hewatele is currently fund raising through an international consortium of investors, a combined debt/equity investment to scale up our medical oxygen output to install the largest Medical Oxygen manufacturing facility by capacity within East Africa. The 20 Tons Per Day Air Separation Unit (ASU) is likely to operationalize by Q1 of year 2024. With the new added capacity, it will increase the market share for Hewatele in the Medical Oxygen market in Kenya to approx. 40% within first 5 years of operations. We are seeking to recruit a competent result orientated Chief Finance Officer to complement the wider team in order to achieve the desired growth and financial stability objectives.

About the Role

Hewatele is looking to recruit a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) with a commercial focus who will provide strategic direction and leadership to manage the fast-growing business. The CFO will oversee the development and ongoing management of all financial systems across the organisation in order to support the delivery of Hewatele’s objectives. The role will develop financial and tax management strategies, conduct financial accounting and reporting, treasury management budgeting and compliance, while using financial performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction.

This role is also part of Hewatele’s senior management team which is responsible for the executive leadership and oversight of Hewatele as an organization.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the role will be responsible for:

1. Strategy

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the organisation’s finance strategy and continuously evaluate the achievement of short and long-term strategic financial objectives;
Contribute to the development of the organisation’s future direction;
Lead the process of forecasting and development of annual budgets including monitoring budget utilization to ensure proper allocation of costs against approved plans;
Develop key performance measures and monitoring systems that support Hewatele’s strategic direction;
Grow the businesses financial performance through analysis of financial results, forecasts, and results.

2. Leadership and Management

Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance function of the organization;
Lead the finance team to ensure they perform to required standards and with high levels of motivation, engagement and contributing positively to the organisation’s culture;
Serve as a source of technical expertise on accounting and financial matters;
Ensure other departments see value in the finance department through cooperation and support to the departments
Develop and maintain strong relationships with the senior management team and provide recommendations that enhance business and financial performance.

3. Finance Management, Risk & Accountability

Develop and implement adequate financial policies, and review the policies annually to ensure they remain relevant and aligned to the prevailing business and professional environment;
Lead in the management of the financial activities of the organization including financial accounting and reporting, treasury management, financial systems and integrity, budgeting and compliance; ensuring credit is sourced at competitive rates and investment of surplus cash to ensure optimal returns;
Develop and implement sound internal controls for safeguarding of the Company’s resources,
Overseeing the procurement process to ensure all company purchases are at competitive prices;
Ensure proper cash flow management that enables the company to collect debts and settle its obligations when they fall due
Proper manage financial resources to ensure financial soundness of the business;
Provide the business investment advisory on various areas such as the evaluation of new business opportunities, assessment of investment risks, preparation of financial models and risk/return projections, assessing outcomes and impacts to the organization while engaging other executives as required;
Prepare timely, accurate, and reliable monthly reports on the company’s financial performance for management meetings; and finance board papers for quarterly board meetings;
Develop and implement financial risk management programmes that will ensure minimisation of losses that may arise from the risks;
Develop tax planning programmes to ensure optimisation of the company’s tax cost
Ensure compliance on withholding tax, VAT, PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, NITA, HELB, company returns, and any other relevant statutory requirements;
Play a lead role in responding to all audit queries, ensuring these are responded to in a timely manner and any recommendations are promptly implemented;
Review implementation of the department’s information technology programmes that will ensure efficient delivery of services;
Develop and implement financial risk management programmes that will ensure minimisation of losses that may arise from the risks.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

A Master’s degree in accounting or business administration or relevant field;
Professional accounting qualifications such as CPA (K)/ACCA

EXPERIENCE

Substantial leadership and management experience at a senior level;
Experience leading a finance function in a commercial organization in the health sector, FMCG, Oil and Gas, Investments or Technology (Fintech); Knowledge and experience in oxygen production services will be an added advantage;
Demonstrable experience setting up and operationalizing finance departments;
Experience managing a complex network of stakeholders from a range of organizations such as businesses, public sector, investors and Board;
Experience in financial modelling and simulations to support business planning and forecasts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Solid knowledge of finance and accounting and applicable regulatory frameworks and bodies in the region;
Strong strategic thinking skills and good commercial judgment and business acumen;
Strong leadership and management skills; ability to build and inspire a team to high levels of performance and standards;
Strong coaching and mentoring abilities;
Strong organizational, time and task management skills;
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to use discretion and make quick and clear decisions;
Excellent interpersonal skills; able to convey ideas clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing;
Ability to gain trust and confidence of internal and external stakeholders
Strong influence and negotiation skills

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

A flexible hands-on style to work
A self-starter, able to work in a fast-faced and highly environment
Ability to deal well with complexity and ambiguity, including being flexible, a quick learner and adaptable
A strong work ethic with a high attention to detail and quality delivery
Acts professionally upholding the image and reputation of the organization
Entrepreneurial and innovative
Values driven, demonstrating high integrity and ethical standards.

Sounds like you?
If interested in this role, please submit your application, comprising a one-page cover letter and CV no longer than 3 pages. Note that applicants must be eligible to live and work in Kenya.

Queries
If you encounter any problems with the application process, please contact: lillian@cedarafricagroup.com