Senior Manager, Finance & Operations

Who is USP?

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world’s leading health and science experts to develop rigorous quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. At USP, we believe that scientific excellence is driven by a commitment to fairness, integrity, and global collaboration. This belief is embedded in our core value of Passion for Quality and is demonstrated through the contributions of more than 1,300 professionals across twenty global locations, working to strengthen the supply of safe, high-quality medicines worldwide.

At USP, we value inclusive scientific collaboration and recognize that attracting diverse expertise strengthens our ability to develop trusted public health standards. We foster an organizational culture that supports equitable access to mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Our partnerships, standards, and research reflect our belief that ensuring broad participation in scientific leadership results in stronger, more impactful outcomes for global health.

USP is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer (EEOE) and is committed to ensuring fair, merit-based selection processes that enable the best scientific minds—regardless of background—to contribute to advancing public health solutions worldwide. We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and uphold policies that create an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Brief Job Overview

Working under the guidance of GHMS Program Delivery, the Senior Manager, Finance and Operations will lead and manage USP Kenya’s operations, including management of all project operational support for donor-funded activities implemented by staff based in the Kenya office and in collaboration with applicable project teams and other functional leads. The Senior Manager, Finance & Operations Manager is responsible for day-to-day finance, accounting procurement, logistics, and administrative functions of the USP Kenya Office and for ensuring accurate financial management, compliance with USP, donor, and local statutory requirements in a transparent and efficient manner. As a key member of the USP Kenya and GHMS Program Delivery teams, the Senior Manager, Finance and Operations will supervise other finance and operations staff that may include those based in other countries to ensure a consistent approach across USP country offices. This role maintains strong internal controls and provides operational support to facilitate effective project implementation in close coordination with USP HQ, including GHMS project and technical staff, Global Finance, HR, Legal, Global Compliance & Ethics and Security.

How will YOU create impact here at USP?

As part of our mission to advance scientific rigor and public health standards, you will play a vital role in increasing global access to high-quality medicines through public standards and related programs. USP prioritizes scientific integrity, regulatory excellence, and evidence-based decision-making to ensure health systems worldwide can rely on strong, tested, and globally relevant quality standards.

Additionally, USP’s People and Culture division, in partnership with the Equity Office, invests in leadership and workforce development to equip all employees with the skills to create high-performing, inclusive teams. This includes training in equitable management practices and tools to promote engaged, collaborative, and results-driven work environments.

The Senior Manager, Finance & Operations, has the following responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all finance and accounting functions, including accounts payable, payroll processing, invoice review and processing, account reconciliations, and preparation of tax returns in compliance with local statutory requirements.
• Adopt and implement USP policies and procedures in compliance with USP, donor, and Government regulations; oversee finance, accounting, and audits in accordance with HQ guidance; and provide training to local and regional staff to ensure adherence to operational standards.
• Monitor USP Kenya cash balances and submit monthly cash requests to HQ; manage day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accurate transaction review, proper documentation, correct project coding, and strong internal controls. Maintain the accounting system with timely reconciliations and prepare required monthly financial reports. Serve as liaison with external auditors and coordinate internal and external audits, including follow-up on audit findings in collaboration with Global Finance.
• Oversees administrative and logistical support for donor-funded project activities and general administrative and logistics support for other USP-based staff in Kenya, including travel coordination (domestic and international), organization of workshop/meeting/training, asset and inventory management, IT coordination, legal registrations, records management, and in-country security management in collaboration with USP Global Security.
• Strengthen and maintain internal control systems to safeguard organizational assets and ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and donor requirements.
• Review and approve vendor payments, contracts, and financial commitments, as requested, to ensure proper authorization levels and budget availability.
• Support local and regional HR processes in coordination with USP HQ, including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, compensation, performance management, timesheet compliance, leave tracking, and maintenance of personnel records in accordance with local labor laws.
• Supervise and mentor finance and operations staff that may also include those based in other country offices to ensure a consistent approach to country operations management, including development of tools, templates and resources as needed.
• Promote a high-performing, compliant, and service-oriented office environment, fostering strong collaboration across program, technical, and HQ teams.
• Perform other duties as required to support effective country office operations.

Who is USP Looking For?

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of our mission, commitment to excellence through inclusive and equitable behaviors and practices, ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders, along with the following competencies and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in finance, administration, and operations management, preferably within local offices of international NGOs managing donor-funded projects.
• Minimum of 8 years of management experience, including people management, overseeing finance and operations for donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable local and national regulations, as well as policies governing financial and administrative processes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrate initiative, prioritize multiple tasks, and maintain composure under pressure.
• Strong self-management skills, demonstrating motivation, adaptability, and a professional, consistent image of integrity, competence, and confidence.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Additional Desired Preferences

• Strong knowledge of applicable local and national laws, regulations, and policies governing financial and administrative processes.
• Proficiency with MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with QuickBooks or similar accounting software preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Excellent self-management skills, including motivation, adaptability, and the ability to maintain a professional, consistent image of confidence, integrity, and competence under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while also exercising initiative and independent judgment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes, Finance and Operations Sr/Officer and Procurement and Logistics Sr/Specialist (TBD).

Benefits

USP provides the benefits to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off and comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial well-being is protected.

Note: USP does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies and is not responsible for fees from recruiters or other agencies except under specific written agreement with USP.