Principal Finance Officer

Principal Finance Officer – Job Ref. NLAS/PFO/5/1/2026/14

Qualifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• At least six (6) years of cumulative work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Senior Finance Officer or in a comparable position in the private or public sector.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Commerce (Accounting/Finance option), Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Business Management, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Registration with a relevant professional body such as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or equivalent.
• A certificate in a Management Course.
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Principal Finance Officer shall be responsible for the following functions:

• Monitoring expenditure on projects and programmes periodically.
• Implementing proposals for raising funds.
• Processing commitment of funds and analysing expenditure trends.
• Controlling expenditure commitment within NLAS.
• Assisting the department in the costing of programmes.
• Incorporating the department’s inputs into the budget process.
• Ensuring timely adjustment of work plans commensurate with the resources voted in the budget.
• Monitoring expenditures based on approved budgets.
• Applying sound principles, systems, and techniques in accounting for finance, assets, revenue, expenditure, and costs.
• Analysing Appropriation in Aid (A-in-A) reports on a quarterly basis.
• Responding to all audit queries raised by both internal and external auditors.
• Coordinating preparations of cash flow projections.
• Participating in developing supplementary financial regulations and procedures to enhance internal controls established through normal Treasury regulations and procedures.
• Maintaining an inventory of all bank accounts of NLAS and their approved signatories, authorizing payments, signing cheques, and identifying suitable cheque signatories as appropriate.
• Reviewing final accounts prepared within the time frame provided by legislation.
• Preparing quarterly financial management reports.
• Resource mobilization and management of the Legal Aid Fund.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be in accordance with NLAS Salary Scale, Grade 5:

KES 128,570 x 10,755 – 139,325 x 10,755 – 150,080 x 10,755 – 160,835 x 10,755 – 171,590 x 10,755 – 182,345 x 10,755 – 193,100 x 10,755 – 203,855 per month.

Terms of Service

NLAS Grades 1, 2 & 3 are on a three-year contract basis, renewable once, while the rest (including this Grade 5 position) are on permanent and pensionable terms.

Application Requirements

Interested persons who meet the minimum criteria are requested to submit applications enclosing copies of the following documents:

• National Identity card.
• Certified copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• Any supporting documents and testimonials.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae with three referees.

How to Apply

More detailed job descriptions for these vacancies can be accessed on our website: www.nlas.go.ke

All applications should be submitted ONLINE to [email protected] on or before 14th August 2026 at 5:00pm Kenyan time. The letter must quote the specific position and reference number, e.g., NLAS/CEO/1/1/2026/01.

All application letters should be addressed to:

Chief Executive Officer,
National Legal Aid Service,
P.O Box 45597-00100,
Nairobi.

Please note: Hard copy applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted. Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.

Important Notes

• The National Legal Aid Service is an equal opportunity employer; it does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
• Successful candidates must satisfy the requirements of Leadership and Integrity as set out in Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya and shall be required to present the following documents before being issued with an offer letter:

• Clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
• Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority.
• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
• Certificate of Clearance from Credit Reference Bureau.
• Clearance Certificate from Higher Education Loans Board or proof of ongoing repayments.