About the job
Essential is a new bioscience organization creating breakthrough solutions to tackle malnutrition and
transform food systems. We are leveraging advances in fermentation to convert agricultural byproduct
into affordable, accessible, and climate-resilient proteins that can be integrated into products to prevent
and treat malnutrition. Our goal is to catalyze a new model of climate-resilient protein production in
Sub-Saharan Africa and build a bioscience R&D engine in East Africa. We are currently building a
demonstration plant in Nairobi with an R&D lab and pilot plant production capacity.
Essential was founded on the belief that advances in the sciences hold potential to transform the most
important global problems. We are a passionate and fast-paced team focused on generating
breakthrough solutions for the world’s poor. We are audacious in our vision, ambitious in our thinking,
and rigorous and humble in our approach. We have a presence in San Francisco, Nairobi, and Addis
Ababa.
Essential is recruiting an Operations and Finance Manager to build and support the systems, processes
and protocols for our new start up. The Operations and Finance Manager will be a key member of the
Kenya team, supporting our finance and accounting management, overseeing day-to-day operations,
and subcontracting. Crucially, the Manager will help launch and support our new pilot plant. This is a
hands-on, entrepreneurial role perfect for somebody excited to build the foundations of a new
organization and pilot plant from the ground up. The Operations and Finance Manager will report
directly to the CEO and work closely with the entire management team to ensure all of our processes
run smoothly and efficiently. This role is ideal for somebody who loves building systems and is
comfortable supporting finance and operations.
Roles & Responsibilities
Operations:
- Help stand up our biomanufacturing plant in Nairobi.
- Design, implement, and maintain key systems and processes for Essential.
- Manage and support all of our vendor selection processes.
- Maintain and update internal databases for asset management, vendors, contracts, and other systems.
- Review and manage contracts with all partners.
- Develop, refine, disseminate, and train staff on policies and procedures.
- Assist in proposal preparation and donor due diligence.
- Develop, implement, and monitor systems for tracking and storing procurement. documentation, subcontracts, and deliverables.
- Manage Essential’s insurance plans.
- Provide operational support on donor engagement and for board management.
- Flex into additional operational support as needed.
Finance and Accounting:
- Supporting all billing and invoicing.
- Keep proper, current, accurate, and complete records and books for Essential projects.
- Carry out precise, cogent accounting of financial transactions from source records (internal requisitions, payment vouchers, liquidation documents, purchase orders, etc.) to data capture/recording, and reporting.
- Prepare usable project financial reports to quality and time standards.
- Review and analyze the financials with the concerned budget holders, agree and follow up on the disposition of any identified variances.
- Support the annual audit and preparation of tax forms and filings.
- Maintain all electronic filing systems for accounting files.
- Assist in the development and continuous review of financial processes/procedures that enhance operational efficiency and curtail business risk.
- Ensure strict, sensible, and demonstrable observance of established financial controls.
- Monthly processing of staff payroll, and related statutory filings.
- Payables and receivables management.
- Handle statutory as well as project-specific audits, and tax compliance.
- Flex into additional operational and finance support as needed.
- Other:
- Provide additional support as needed.
Experience & Skills
- 3-5+ years of experience designing, launching, and maintaining organizational processes
- University degree in business, operations, accounting, finance, or related field.
- Experience in complex project management, ideally in manufacturing or product settings.
- Experience in budgeting, accounting & bookkeeping, financial planning & analytics, compliance, taxation.
- Passion for building high-impact, scalable organizations in East Africa
- Outstanding analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data and surface clear, actionable insights for leadership.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; good attention to detail.
- Demonstrated capacity to manage relationships for external partners (e.g., vendors, etc.).
Application Instructions:
Send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to talent@essentialimpact.org. Include your name and the title of the job in the subject line.