10:32 PM
maboko
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 clarity that
no money should be paid to land scouts/officers and any agents purporting to
work for the organisation.
· 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 and tools are in place leading to greater
efficiency)
About You
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
Please
send your CVs to recruitment@dpckenya.com, by 23rd of August 2011.
