Description
About Rosslyn Academy
Rosslyn Academy is a vibrant international Christian school in Nairobi, Kenya, offering a North American curriculum and standards, from Preschool through Grade 12. Founded in 1947, our diverse community of 700+ students represents over 50 nationalities.
We are fully accredited with both the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). We have an international staff, mostly recruited from the United States and Canada. Rosslyn Academy is a joint effort of the Eastern Mennonite, Southern Baptist, and Assemblies of God missions in Eastern Africa, though the school is non-denominational in faith, practice, and hiring.
Located in a beautiful 40-acre campus in Nairobi, we offer a supportive, faith-driven community and a competitive compensation and benefits package that allows for a comfortable standard of living in Nairobi. Our contracts are usually for 2 years. Rosslyn's compensation package is benefits heavy and salary light (relative to the entire package that is). Benefits include: Housing (including utilities, internet, security, etc.), Free tuition for staff children up to 3 kids, if both spouses are working (combined FTE of 1.5), International Health Insurance coverage (Excluding the US) for the family, payment of all local/Kenyan taxes on salary and all benefits (Kenya charges about 30% taxes on all benefits and salary), furlough flights for the family to home country every two years and the opportunity to be part of a vibrant international Christian community.
Chief Finance and Operations Officer Job Description
Level: Executive
Load: Full-time
Responsible to: Superintendent
Key Reports: IT Systems Director, Finance Director, Facilities Director, HR Director, Food Service Director, and Health Services Director
Contract term: 2 years
Service Period: Year Round
Nature and Scope
With a focus on providing strategic financial and business management oversight, the CFOO will also oversee the school’s operations which include Human Resource, IT, facilities, Food Service and health services. The CFO will support the Superintendent in driving strategic aspects of the school to enable students and staff develop their God-given gifts for Christ-like service in the world community.
Professional Responsibilities
1. Modeling and Leadership
i. Model a personal commitment to Christ and Bible-based Christian living.
ii. Seek to inspire others to Christian commitment, faith, and living.
iii. Contribute towards and maintain a positive Christian spiritual environment.
iv. Exhibit characteristics of being a lifelong learner.
v. Maintain a positive operational environment focused on growth and excellence.
vi. Consistently model professionalism.
vii. Provide leadership that ensures that all activities of the school are congruent with the school's vision, mission and written policies.
viii. Annually ensure that short- and long-range goals are established for his/her department and staff.
ix. Assess the needs within his/her department and use data to make decisions and plan for improvement.
x. Consistently demonstrate a knowledge, and use of effective team-building strategies.
xi. Consistently use leadership strategies that empower and motivate staff, students, and parents.
2. Strategy
i. Contribute to the ongoing development of the School’s strategic mission, led by the Superintendent.
ii. Develop and implement the financial and operational strategies, policies and plans that underpin the organisational objectives.
iii. Oversee the implementation of the campus master plan as finances allow.
3. Leadership and Management
i. Serve as a member of the Rosslyn Academy Executive Team.
ii. Lead and inspire staff, bring out the best in them, and facilitate and encourage strong working relationships within the support staff and throughout the school.
iii. Manage the performance of direct reports utilizing the Rosslyn Academy appraisal system.
iv. Support the training and professional development of direct reports and the wider support staff.
v. Adhere to the standards of leadership as described in the Leadership domains of the Rosslyn Academy Playbook.
4. Finance
i. Supervise the Finance Director (and the Business Office team as required.).
ii. Proactively advise the Superintendent on all matters relating to financial strategy, including the timing of capital projects, relevant legislation, allocation of resources and the impact of their decisions on the School’s financial and strategic position.
iii. Align financial resources to institutional priorities as well as Rosslyn Academy Board Policies.
iv. Prepare monitoring reports according to the Board guidelines and schedule and present them to the Board with the Superintendent.
v. Oversee the preparation and control of the annual budget in accordance with the needs and goals of the school and in consultation with the Superintendent.
vi. Ensure that a robust system of financial planning and internal controls operates across the school consistent with strategy, policies (board and administrative) and procedures utilizing GAAP and ECFA accepted guidelines for non-profit accounting.
vii. Work closely with the Finance Director to implement effective processes, including fee collection, debtor management, purchasing, payroll, tax arrangements and the annual external audit (with the auditor identified by the Board of Governors).
viii. Oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts, financial projections and cash flow forecasts and report performance against KPIs to the Superintendent and the Board of Governors.
ix. Analyze school fees and costs, including benchmarking, and work with the Executive Team to set pricing strategies, including tuition fees and extras.
x. Ensure effective procurement arrangements are in place to facilitate best value.
xi. Follow the annual calendar for budgeting and reporting established by Board and Admin policy.
xii. Facilitate efforts to work with donors and other methods of creating new, significant revenue streams for the school.
(Please note: the following items (No. 5 to No. 12 ) will be added to the duties of the CFO/COO gradually over the course of the first year of employment. Another leader will be present to oversee these areas and will advise the CFO/COO during the transitional period.)
5. Capital Projects
i. Update and oversee development of the campus master plan.
ii. Oversee and work closely with the Superintendent, Facilities Director, and external project managers to plan and deliver capital projects to time, specification, and budget, in accordance with limitations defined in Board policy and following GAAP and ECFA best practices for capital projects in non-profit accounting systems.
6. Facilities
i. Oversee and work closely with the Facilities Director to ensure:
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- the School’s buildings, grounds, sports and other facilities are maintained and operated to the
- required standard and compliant with regulations, including health and safety and other
- inspection standards;
- cleaning, food service, waste disposal and security services are delivered to a high standard,
- holding the external contractors to account against the service level agreements;
- the effective delivery of school transport, medical services, merchandising and other logistics.
- Seek to integrate sustainable solutions and initiatives to reduce the school’s environmental footprint and energy consumption.
- With the Facilities Director and in consultation with the Superintendent and other members of the Rosslyn Leadership team, update the school's Emergency Operations Plan on an annual basis.
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7. Human Resources
i. Oversee and work with the Head of Human Resources to:
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- manage staff recruitment, onboarding of all staff, preparation of contracts, training, appraisal, and compliance with Kenyan Labor laws;
- ensure accurate record management according to Kenyan Labor laws;
- ensure proper reporting of FTE for budgeting and forecasting
- ensure proper linkages between HR systems and business office systems for tracking leave, stipends, salaries, etc.
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8. Medical & Wellness: Oversee the Health Services Director and the operations of the Wellness Center on campus.
9. Food Services: Oversee the Food Services leadership and ensure the smooth running and quality of the food service offered to staff, students, and the wider community.
10. Information Technology
i. Supervise the IT Systems Director.
ii. Oversee the development and implementation of an IT strategy aligned with the school’s strategic plan.
iii. Oversee the development, procurement, delivery and management of cost-effective IT infrastructure, data and services to support high- quality teaching and learning, communications and administration for all areas of the School’s operations.
iv. Facilitate the safety, security and integrity of the School’s IT network and digital data.
v. Ensure that the IT Systems Director is effectively overseeing the school’s data protection compliance with Kenyan law.
11. Commercial: Identify, negotiate and oversee partnerships and other arrangements with third parties to support, extend and enhance the delivery of the School’s education and co-curricular provision.
12. Compliance and Risk Management
i. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring policies, procedures and training are in place and championing their application throughout the School.
ii. Manage the risk assessment process and maintain the Risk Register.
iii. Ensure that the School has appropriate insurance cover for all key insurable risks.
iv. Advise on business continuity planning to ensure that the School is well prepared for any emergency.
v. Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the School and fulfil all responsibilities in accordance with the School’s Health and Safety Policy.
Other: Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
Requirements
Person Specification
The successful candidate will bring the following qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, leadership style and values.
Qualifications And Experience
- MBA or other degree providing a solid background in finance systems and practices.
- Specific training in non-profit accounting methodologies as described in GAAP and ECFA publications
- A professional or managerial qualification is desirable but not essential.
- A strong track record of successful executive leadership experience in a complex organization.
- Direct experience of both strategy and operations, including finance.
- Experience of working within a complex budgetary structure.
- Proven experience of leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams.
- Project management, including delivery of capital projects.
- Experience of working internationally and/or in a school would be an advantage.
Skills And Knowledge
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Strong strategic abilities and organizational skills.
- Experience with non-profit accounting systems and theory.
- Demonstrable knowledge of IT systems, HR, health and safety.
- First-class communication and negotiation skills – able to balance robustness with constructive, positive discussion and diplomacy.
- Strong interpersonal skills and high levels of emotional intelligence.
- An understanding of the school’s responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and child protection.
Leadership Style and Personal Attributes
- A visible leader who is able to work both independently and as a key team member to inspire confidence and encourage and motivate staff.
- High levels of self-awareness, humility and flexibility, as well as a collegial leadership style.
- Energetic, tenacious, and resilient.
- Engages in conflict resolution with skill and application of biblical principles.
- Demonstrates extraordinary integrity and professionalism.
- Forward thinking, always on the lookout for opportunities and threats and proactive about sharing those with other leaders in a timely manner.
- A committed and active follower of Jesus Christ who will meaningfully bring faith elements into their daily work and interactions with others. Must be in full agreement with Rosslyn’s Core Tenets, which include doctrinal statements common to most forms of Protestant Christian theology.
