General Manager – Finance
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)
Quick Take
Lead MOWASSCO's financial strategy, governance, and operations as the senior finance executive reporting to the Managing Director, overseeing budgets, financial reporting, risk management, and a team of finance professionals.
8+ years progressive finance/accounting experience with 5+ years in senior management, proven ability to formulate and execute financial strategy, and expertise in corporate governance and financial controls.
A five-year contract role with significant strategic impact in Kenya's essential water and sanitation sector, competitive salary (KES 400–600k/mo), and leadership of a critical public utility.
Job Description
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MOWASSCO) is seeking a seasoned and strategic financial leader to fill the position of General Manager – Finance. This is a senior executive role reporting directly to the Managing Director, responsible for steering the company's overall financial direction, ensuring fiscal discipline, and embedding robust governance structures across all financial operations.
The successful candidate will serve on a five-year contract and will play a pivotal role in driving MOWASSCO's financial sustainability, guiding investment decisions, managing stakeholder financial relationships, and ensuring full compliance with both statutory and corporate reporting requirements. This is an exceptional opportunity for a finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the water and sanitation sector in Kenya.
- Formulate, implement, and periodically review the company's financial strategy to support long-term business sustainability.
- Embed sound corporate governance by identifying financial risks and designing controls to mitigate them effectively.
- Lead the development and enforcement of financial policies, systems, and standard operating procedures across the organisation.
- Design and maintain systems for efficient and effective management of financial resources and assets.
- Oversee timely and accurate accounting, financial reporting, and analysis to inform management and Board decision-making.
- Advise the Managing Director and Board on the financial viability of proposed investments, projects, and capital expenditure.
- Ensure all financial reports are prepared and submitted in compliance with statutory and company requirements.
- Set performance targets and conduct appraisals for all Finance Division staff in alignment with the company's performance management framework.
- Manage and maintain productive financial relationships with external agencies, banks, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
- Prepare and present annual budgets and periodic financial performance reports to the Board of Directors.
- Provide leadership, motivation, and professional development to the Finance team; liaise with internal and external auditors on all audit matters.
- Establish and enforce standards for internal and third-party payment processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Implement budgetary controls and monitoring frameworks to enhance financial planning and accountability.
- Develop and enforce debt management policies and procedures to safeguard the company's financial position.
- Undertake any other duties assigned by the Managing Director or Board Committees as may be required from time to time.
- Must demonstrate at least 8 years of progressive experience in finance or accounting, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior management role within a busy, complex organisation.
- Must be able to formulate and execute financial strategies that align with organisational objectives and regulatory frameworks.
- Must demonstrate hands-on experience leading financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls processes.
- Must be proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and the full Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and financial modelling tools.
- Must demonstrate strong risk identification and management capabilities, with experience designing and implementing financial controls.
- Must be able to lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary finance teams and drive high performance culture.
- Must possess excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance stakeholders and the Board.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in debt management, cash flow management, and investment appraisal methodologies.
- Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Business Management, or Business Administration (Finance or Accounting option) from a recognised university is required; a relevant Master's Degree is required.
- Must hold CPA (K) qualification and be a member in good standing of ICPAK, ACCA, CFA, or an equivalent recognised professional body.
- Must be a Kenyan Citizen.
MOWASSCO offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the seniority of this role. The position is a five-year renewable contract at Job Grade 2. Estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 400,000 to KES 600,000, subject to qualifications and experience. Additional benefits typical of a public utility at this grade may include medical cover, pension contributions, and performance-based allowances.
This role is ideal for a finance executive with a proven track record in strategic financial management, ideally within a public utility, parastatal, financial services, or large corporate environment. You are a decisive leader who thrives under accountability, can manage competing priorities, and are comfortable presenting at Board level. You bring intellectual rigour, integrity, and a collaborative approach to driving institutional change.
Please do not apply if you do not hold CPA (K) and active membership with ICPAK or an equivalent body, if you have fewer than 8 years of relevant experience, or if you are not a Kenyan citizen. Candidates without a Master's degree or whose ERP and financial systems experience is limited are also unlikely to be shortlisted.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications including a detailed CV, copies of academic and professional certificates, and a cover letter addressing the outlined requirements. Applications should be addressed to the Managing Director, MOWASSCO, and submitted through the official MOWASSCO recruitment channels or as directed in the official advertisement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Minimum 8 years progressive experience in finance or accounting
- Minimum 5 years in a senior management role within a complex organisation
- Demonstrated ability to formulate and execute financial strategies aligned with organisational objectives
- Expertise in corporate governance, financial risk identification, and control design
- Professional accounting qualification (CPA(K), ICAEW, or equivalent) strongly implied
Nice to Have
- Prior experience in a utility, public sector, or regulated industry environment
- Experience managing relationships with regulatory bodies, auditors, and financial institutions
- Knowledge of Kenya's statutory and corporate reporting requirements
- Track record of leading financial transformation or system implementation in a large organisation
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Salary Context
Competitive market rate for General Manager – Finance in a large public utility; mid-to-upper range for senior finance leadership in Mombasa.
KES 400–600k/mo is typical for a General Manager – Finance in a significant parastatal or utility company in Kenya, reflecting the seniority and scope of the role. Salaries in this tier vary based on company size, sector (utilities typically pay competitively), and the candidate's track record; public sector roles often offer stability and benefits packages that complement base salary.
About Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) is a critical infrastructure utility serving Mombasa's water supply and sanitation needs. As a large parastatal organisation managing essential public services, MOWASSCO operates in a regulated environment with significant strategic importance to the Coast Region and Kenya's development agenda. This role offers the chance to drive financial sustainability and governance in a mission-critical sector while directly supporting improved public health and service delivery across the region.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Tell us about a time you designed and implemented a financial governance framework or control system in a complex, multi-departmental organisation. What challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?
- 2
How have you managed the tension between financial discipline and capital investment priorities when advising senior leadership? Walk us through a specific decision.
- 3
MOWASSCO operates in a regulated utility environment with multiple stakeholders (regulators, auditors, government, customers). Describe your experience managing relationships with external agencies and regulatory bodies.
- 4
What approach would you take to assess and mitigate financial risks specific to a water utility—such as revenue volatility, asset management, or debt servicing in a public sector context?
- 5
How do you ensure that your finance team is motivated, developed, and aligned with the organisation's performance management framework? Give an example of how you've built a high-performing finance function.
Application Tips
Emphasise your track record in formulating and executing financial strategy in large, complex organisations—use specific metrics (e.g. cost savings, efficiency gains, audit outcomes).
Highlight any prior experience in utilities, public sector, regulated industries, or government-linked companies; MOWASSCO will value familiarity with this operating environment.
Demonstrate your expertise in corporate governance, financial controls, and risk management by citing frameworks you've implemented (e.g. COSO, IFRS compliance, internal audit coordination).
Showcase your stakeholder management ability—mention experience liaising with auditors, regulators, banks, and Boards; this is central to the role.
If you have experience leading finance teams through digital transformation, system implementation, or process improvement, make this prominent; MOWASSCO likely seeks modernisation.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Five-year contract provides exceptional job security and allows time to implement long-term financial strategy, rare in Kenya's job market.
- Reporting directly to the Managing Director indicates significant seniority and strategic influence over the organisation.
- This is a mission-critical role in a regulated utility serving essential public services—strong employer stability and societal impact.
- Competitive salary range (KES 400–600k/mo) reflects the seniority and responsibility of the position; mid-to-upper market for this level in Kenya.
Watch Out
- The job posting description cuts off mid-sentence in the 'Required Skills & Experience' section, suggesting it may be incomplete or hastily posted—clarify all requirements before applying.
- No mention of benefits package, pension, healthcare, or allowances alongside the salary range—typical for senior roles in Kenya; seek clarification during the application process.
- The posting does not specify the reporting relationship or interactions with other C-suite executives (CFO status is unclear); confirm the organisational structure and level of autonomy.
A Day in the Life
Your week balances strategic financial planning with operational oversight and stakeholder management. Monday morning, you review the previous week's variance reports and meet with your Finance team leads to address budget deviations; you then prepare materials for Thursday's Board financial performance presentation. Mid-week, you liaise with external auditors on quarterly compliance matters and confer with the MD on the viability of a proposed capital investment in water infrastructure. You conduct a performance appraisal with a senior finance officer, review draft financial policies for enforcement, and respond to queries from regulatory bodies. By Friday, you're refining the annual budget submission and coordinating with banks and creditors on debt management, ensuring MOWASSCO's liquidity and financial stability remain on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a General Manager – Finance at Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)?
You need at least 8 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior management role in a complex organisation. A professional accounting qualification (CPA(K), ICAEW, or equivalent) is essential, and proven expertise in financial strategy, governance, and risk management is critical.
Is the General Manager – Finance role at Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) remote?
The role is based in Mombasa and requires on-site leadership of the Finance Division. As a senior executive role in a utility organisation with governance and stakeholder responsibilities, remote work is unlikely; confirm working arrangements with MOWASSCO HR during the application process.
How much does a General Manager – Finance earn at Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)?
The posted salary is KES 400,000–600,000 per month (base salary). This is competitive for a senior finance leadership role in a large Kenyan utility; actual remuneration may include benefits, pension contributions, and allowances not detailed in the posting—request the full remuneration package details from the recruiter.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
This is a strategic executive position that typically leads to Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or board-level roles in larger utilities or parastatals. The five-year contract provides stability to drive meaningful financial transformation and positions you for senior leadership in Kenya's infrastructure and public sector.
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