Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is an innovative international partnership specializing in the
practices of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and urban planning. We partner with residents of impoverished areas to develop and implement design solutions that improve physical, economic, and social quality of life. We call these low-cost, high impact environments Productive Public Spaces. KDI is rooted in participatory design and planning. By working collaboratively with communities from conception through implementation we build on their ideas, enhance them with technical knowledge and design innovation, and connect them to extant resources.
Since 2006, KDI has been working in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya's largest slum. Kibera is the largest informal settlement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Home to approximately one million residents in thirteen villages, it occupies a space two kilometers from downtown Nairobi that is two-thirds the size of New York City's Central Park. Kibera has no formal trash collections system or dumping site and only one toilet per 250 people. Most families live on one dollar a day and unemployment is over 50 percent. Land tenure is particularly precarious in Kibera.
KDI now has two completely constructed and operating Productive Public Spaces in Kibera and one more Productive Public Space slated for completion in early 2012. We will be rolling out three additional projects during 2012-13. Each project combines basic amenities like toilets, community centers and water, with spaces for economic activity like vending kiosks and community gardens. We work with residents to build both the physical structures and the businesses that will operate at the site.
The Community Development intern will working closely with a community group at one of our new sites, to help leaders create organizational strategies and structures, and develop and implement action plans for the growth of their site and group. The intern will also work with the groups to document their results. Previous interns in this position have helped groups: organize politically to secure land tenure; develop operations and maintenance plans/structures for their site; and develop accounting and banking systems for residents. The Community Development intern will gain substantive, hands on experience in community building, international development and outreach.
• Current Graduate or Undergraduate student in Urban Planning, International Development or related field.
• Experience in setting up organizational structures, policies and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of participatory planning principles.
• Experience in community organizing.
• Experience in management or operations, a plus.
Though this is an unpaid position, we are able to provide interns with lodging and we may be able to assist you in finding outside funding. If you are interested in applying, please send a resume and cover letter describing your particular area of interest and relevant skill sets to Jessica Bremner at
. You may also visit our website at
.
POSITION SUMMARY
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is an innovative international partnership specializing in the practices of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering and urban planning. KDI transforms impoverished communities by collaborating with residents to create low-cost, high-impact built environments – Productive Public Spaces – that improve their daily lives. KDI works in, Kenya, Haiti and the US and is a registered 501c3 in the United States and is in the process of formal registration in Kenya.
Founded in 2006, KDI has now entered a very exciting period in the Organization's life. Currently functioning as a start-up international development organization, KDI is poised for rapid long-term growth. As we grow we are looking for someone with excellent business operations acumen to take us to the next level. The Operations Manager will have the unique opportunity to work with a dynamic and growing organization.
The Operations Manager will work with closely with the Executive Director and Project Staff to achieve the financial and operational goals of the organization. The Operation Manager executes administrative, human resources, office operations, finance, and accounting functions. As a member of the team at a small, non-profit organization, the Operations Manager provides support for a growing organization. The Operations Manager must be prepared to personally execute all the tasks necessary for KDI's successful business operations, which range from bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities to basic office management responsibilities. The Operations Manager will be expected to improve, develop, and document the operational systems, processes, and policies in support of KDI's mission -- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process, and organizational planning. The Operations Manager will play a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Administration and Office Operations
• Work closely with executive director in development and implementation of policies and procedures for:
o Board of Directors
o Accounting and Finance
o HR
• Prepare financial reports/presentation materials
• Participate in strategic planning process
• Define roles more clearly for directors, officers, interns, on-site project managers
• Oversee compliance with KDI policies and procedures
Compliance
• Manage regulatory compliance for organizational operations
• Develop and manage compliance matters and responsibilities concerning KDI employees
Finance, Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Reporting and Cash Management
• Process bills and payroll
• Maintain "master" books (including uploading project books)
• Monitor actual spending (compared to budgeted amounts)
• Prepare monthly, annual financial reports
• Prepare quarterly, annual payroll tax reports
• Work with outside accountants, prepare annual information return (Form 990) and audited financial statements
• Manage budget process and prepare finalized budget documents - annual KDI budget and project budgets
• Oversee, maintain record of cash receipts and disbursements
• Collaborate with fundraising personnel
• Oversee project accountants
• Oversee implementation of new project accounting system
• Assist in budget creation for new projects
• Ensure compliance with restrictions on grants/donations
• Oversee compliance with tax issues including, but not limited to: donor needs, employee salary and benefit tax compliance, international tax laws, tax filings, etc.
• Review/audit project books and reconciliation reports
• Evaluate banking options, practices
o Number/type of accounts
o Fees (especially for wire transfers)
o USD vs. Local Currency
Human Resources
• Manage salary/wage/fee negotiations with Executive Director
• Manage fee-for-service negotiations and contracts
• Manage other organizational contracts
• Develop personnel contracts
• Manage Payroll
Information Technology
• Organize important electronic files/documents
• Develop, Implement, and document data sharing/backup system
• Evaluate other technology needs/options
QUALIFICATIONS
Core
• MBA graduate preferred
• 2-5 years experience work experience in the financial/accounting field.
• Experience working as a key employee in a start-up or non-profit is a plus
• Experience working with low-income communities
• Experience working in developing countries
• Mission driven
• Excellent technical writing and documentation ability
• Success in contributing to a team-oriented environment
• Ability to balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks
• High level of energy, creativity, flexibility, enthusiasm, self-confidence and initiative
• Accuracy, attention to detail and awareness of deadlines
• A hard working self-starter with initiative, and ability to set own priorities
• Strong commitment to the social mission of KDI
• A willingness to adhere to our principles of participatory design
• Ability to work and think creatively with limited resources
• Excellent understanding of tax requirements and non-profit regulations
• Understanding of system level thinking and analysis
• Ability to resolve problems efficiently and to communicate resolutions clearly
Technical Qualifications
• Fluency in accounting principles.
• Fluency in financial statement analysis
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills in English
• Knowledge of advanced techniques in planning, monitoring and controlling programs
• Knowledge of project management methodologies
• Experience with budgeting, resource allocation, and financial reporting.
• Fluency in design terminology a plus.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Compensation commensurate with skills in an emerging organization - opportunity to travel and generous holiday vacation benefits.
Interested candidates should send cover letter and resume to Jessica Bremner at
Jessica@kounkuey.org
