Description:
Land Compliance Auditor
Nairobi, Kenya
About Bridge International Academies
Bridge International Academies is a for-profit startup company revolutionizing
education across Africa with a unique business model. The company runs a
large-scale network of low-cost primary schools in Kenya that significantly
outperforms other primary schools in the same areas because of our “school in a
box” systems.
Our schools profitably deliver this high-quality education for less than $4 per
child per month, which enable the schools to cover all their costs and create a
profitable central organization at scale. We have launched 37 schools in Kenya,
we will double in size in the next 6 months, and plan to rapidly scale the
company to serve more than 1 million students across the continent.
About this position
We are seeking a full-time Land Compliance Auditor,
who will be a vital member of the land team in their push to find plots of land
suitable for schools inside slums and in low income areas all over the country.
A central part of our operations includes the identification, verification,
negotiation and purchase of plots of land for our schools – this might be
inside a slum or in a low-income community on the edge of a city.
These plots sometimes have clouded title histories, but through our land
identification and procurement process we must establish a certain amount of
security -- understanding the previous ownership, other potential competing
claims, titling possibility, issues with city / municipal council, lands
office, etc.
To make these determinations and the actual purchase, the process may involve
negotiations with local village elders, local government administration, and
local landlords, and ultimately a sales or lease contract written with some or
all of these participants.
The Land Compliance Auditor will form the link between the field and the
office, checking on plots of land, verifying the documentation needed to ensure
a clean and efficient purchasing process.
The Land Compliance Auditor will report to the Head of Department, offering
written reports on plots, checklist on the documentation we have and need to
have, their ownership and the research undertaken to ensure the company has the
security to purchase the plot.
S/he will also be responsible for communication from the Land Department to the
Finance Department, and so therefore must be an experienced Field and
Operational Auditor.
The Land Compliance Officer will focus on certain elements of the land
acquisition and linkage to the Finance Department. These include:
Land:
- Meeting
and dealing with land agents and vendors
- Managing
a team of land specialists (people who go to the Ministry of Lands of the
Local Council to undertake title searches, file documents, collect
documents from vendors, etc)
- Recognising
potential conflict surrounding land and land purchases, and ensuring
documentation exists to fill any gaps in the plot purchase process
- Writing
briefing notes and site specific reports
- Investigating
conflicting land ownership claims
- Establishing
and utilizing contacts at local and central government to find clear
information on land ownership
Planning
- Prepare
and present annual Land audit plans for review with HOD and senior
management teams
- Implement
the audit plans on weekly/monthly/quarterly basis
Process
and Tools
- Assist
in design and implementation of structures, processes, documentation and
procedures for improvement of land procurement and financial controls on
the same
Analysis
- Maintain
up to date records of each piece of land with all pieces of information
that would be required in the finance cycle e.g. tenure, documentation,
minutes, notes and minutes of procurement discussions
- Prepare
weekly analysis of progress on ongoing land procurement to highlight and
indicate the completion state and financial/legal/contractual requirements
remaining to be done for that piece of land
Field
Audit
- Visit
the sites with land officers and verify facts as presented by land scouts
and land officers.
- Follow
up any issues that are not clear and ensure they are clarified upfront
before the next stage of the plot procurement
- Meet
the potential sellers and ensure they are aware of the steps to expect in
completing the land sale. Ensure clarify that no money should be paid to
land scouts/officers and any agents purporting to work for Bridge
International.
- Assess
suitability of land locations and seller credentials as guided by the risk
analysis requirements of the Lands department
- Make
any other pertinent observations that would assist the company in making
the most optimal land procurement decisions
- File
regular field audit reports to the Head of Lands and COO/CEO
Reporting
- Prepare
and circulate weekly land updates to respective heads of department
- Prepare
monthly land transaction reports and audit commentaries for review with
head of lands and head of finance
- Prepare
quarterly land procurement cash flow projections with monthly reviews and
revisions
- Prepare
land cost analysis for evaluation of agreed review issues e.g. cost per
square foot comparatives etc
Inspection
- Inspect
commencement of construction in new schools to provide the bridging
support between lands and construction at the transition point
- Review
land records with respective agents to ascertain accuracy, authenticity
and any encumbrances
- Inspect
land reports and records in the company’s Navision system and assure
proper and consistent application of internal policy and standard land
accounting policies
Approval/Payment
support
- Initiate
land payment processes at each level of land procurement for approval by
heads of lands and finance
- Provide
feedback of process completion before next level of payment can be made
- Participate
in the payment supervision and collation of evidence of payment in every
aspect of Land procurement
Compliance/Liaison
- Monitor
city/municipal/county council fees and other payments requirements and
liaise with finance for prompt payment to the right agencies
- Ensure
compliance with all other internal and external rules, regulations and
processes affecting land procurement and payments
Oversight
- Regular
visit to the Legal advisers on land to review our land files for
completeness and other required actions
- Market
value reviews and feedback
This
is a very hands-on job, with the Land Compliance Auditor in the field about 20%
of the time (although reducing once the correct processes are tools are in
place leading to greater efficiency)
About You
- You
are knowledgeable of land transactions and the procedures involved
- You
have project management and supervisory skills
- Operational
and finance audit experience for 5-7 years preferably in a reputable
property company or leading audit firms in Kenya
- Ability
to plan and consistently deliver on agreed activities throughout the year
- Understanding
of legal/property/financial processes will be essential- qualifications in
accounting, finance, land economics or law will be required.
- Cross
departmental communication skills are essential
- Highly
ethical professional with proven integrity
- Well
organised and process minded person
- Experience
in working in very poor communities is a real plus
- Experience
in dealing with sensitive issues regarding land
- You
are not afraid of getting your hands dirty
- You
have experience managing and working with teams of people
- You
function well in a fast-paced informal environment where constant change
is the norm and the bar for quality is set high
- You
are comfortable with numbers and maps
- Advanced
computer skills (Excel, Project Management) and web literacy
Our
team has a passionate belief that basic primary education is critical to the
development of every child, family, community and nation.
We believe that it is possible to address this critical need for poor families
through new and innovative approaches leveraging the private sector, and that
by providing low-cost but high-quality primary education, we will give millions
of children the opportunity to accomplish their dreams.
We are looking for someone who wants to join us in this rewarding task.
You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
10:08 AM
maboko
