Construction Project Assistant Job

Construction Project Assistant
Nairobi, Kenya

About Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies is a startup company revolutionizing education across Africa with a truly unique business model. The company has launched a large-scale franchise-like network of ultra low-cost for-profit private primary schools across Africa.

Our schools profitably deliver high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month, enabling local school managers to operate their school businesses profitably, while creating a highly successful business at the central level. We now have 25 schools in Kenya, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve more than 1 million students.

About this position

Bridge International Academies is looking for a Construction Project Assistant who will be responsible for providing efficient services in monitoring payment requirements and facilitating timely and coherent payments processing for multiple construction projects.

Ability to deal with hands on issues as well as participate in helpful discussions that would lead to significant improvement of payment processes will be key to success in this position. This is a key position within the construction department with regular consultation with staff in the finance department.

Responsibilities of the Construction Project Assistant- Payments

• Collate payments documentation from all construction site supervisors, review these with supervisors and ensure all required steps and attachments are complied with
• Prepare weekly payments projections for approval by head of construction and head of finance
• Generate and keep track of payment certificates to ensure only completed work, delivered and certified materials and approved documents are submitted for payment.
• Work closely with construction supervisors and head of department to improve day to day management of payments documentation and procedures
• Follow up with finance to ensure payments for materials and labour contractors are made in a timely manner and records update promptly in the financial system
• Reconcile payments to project budgets and supplier accounts and make notes for corrective actions and process improvement
• Make occasional field visits together with construction teams to observe processes, ascertain work done and gain knowledge to enhance the entire finance value chain around construction processes in the company
• Assist construction department to come up with construction and cashflow budgets and monitor actual performance against the agreed budgets and cashflows
• Prepare weekly reports on work flow versus payments to ensure visibility and quick resolution of payment delays or problems that could compromise timely construction completion
• Prepare monthly financial reports for review with head of construction and head of finance
• Initiate process improvement initiatives for review with head of construction and head of finance especially around filing, process clarity, feedback and financial analysis
• Assist in external and internal audit of construction payment cycles and routines
• Any other duties that may be delegated to you by the head of construction

Person requirements

• 2-3 years experience in a busy accounting environment with extensive experience in payment processing for multiple suppliers and contractors
• Exposure within a construction/project environment is essential
• Hands on skills in preparation of cashflows, budgets and financial reports for senior management
• Energetic and confident person with ability to work consistently with minimal supervision while producing high quality work and resolving payment issues effectively and in a timely manner
• Good skills with computer applications especially excel and word applications
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics (Nav) or any other accounting software will be helpful
• Ability to work with construction and project staff and guiding them on payment issues
• Must possess good secondary education and intermediate accounting qualifications-CPA 2 or equivalent
• Must be an honest and ethical person with good references from previous employers
• Good written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in spoken Swahili will be an advantage
• Good time management and planning skills
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently.

Reporting structure

The position reports directly to the Head of Construction and indirectly to Head of finance.

How to apply

Applicants should go to Bridge International Academies website www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com – job postings- where all the new jobs are listed

Deadline for applications: 24th February 2011