About GROOTS Kenya

GROOTS Kenya is a national movement of grassroots, women-led, community-based organizations and self-help groups in Kenya. We were founded in 1995, after the fourth UN Conference on Women in Beijing, China. We aim to address the lack of visibility of grassroots women in development processes and decision-making forums that affect them and their communities. We operate using a unique model, the “champions’ model”, which involves grassroots, community-led development process: Grassroots, women-led organizations, and groups take charge of their development by defining the problem, conceptualizing the solutions, designing and implementing interventions, and tracking change. We understand that no one can truly understand the needs of grassroots women better than they can. In this bottom-up model, an intentional effort is made to promote women’s voices and their personal and collective agency. The champions’ model challenges institutions and structures that disempower grassroots communities as agents of change.

Purpose of the Assignment

GROOTS Kenya is committed to upholding the highest standards of financial transparency, compliance, and accountability. In line with this commitment, GROOTS Kenya aims to ensure full compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations, mitigate tax risk exposures, and enhance tax efficiency in its operations. In this context, the organization seeks to engage a qualified consultant to conduct a comprehensive tax health check covering the period 2020 to 2025.

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Review of the organization’s tax obligations, including but not limited to: Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT), Withholding Tax, Corporate Income Tax (if applicable)
Any other relevant statutory deductions and remittances
Review the organization’s tax compliance status by examining tax filings, records, and payments for the past five (5) years.
Identify and record potential tax liabilities, exposures, and compliance gaps.
Liaise with internal and external auditors on transactions and issues with tax implications.
Review internal systems and controls for managing tax obligations, and provide recommendations for improvement and risk mitigation.
Propose remedies for any instances of non-compliance, and advice on appropriate actions and next steps.
Provide expert insights on other potential areas of tax exposure and develop appropriate solutions to minimize these risks.
Ensure alignment of tax practices with applicable laws, donor requirements, and best practices for non-profit organizations.
Present findings to GROOTS Kenya’s management and Board, including actionable recommendations.
Applicant’s Eligibility Criteria

The ideal consultant or firm should have:

A degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
A professional qualification in Tax/Accounting (e.g., CPA, ACCA)
Valid accreditation with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), including a current practicing certificate
At least five (5) years of experience in tax consultancy or audit, preferably working with non-profit entities
Demonstrated knowledge of Kenyan tax laws and KRA procedures
Three (3) recommendation letters from previous clients for similar assignments within the last five (5) years
Submission of Proposal

Interested consultants should submit the following:

Technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timelines
Financial proposal indicating proposed fees
CVs of key staff proposed to undertake the assignment
Three (3) references from past clients, especially not-for-profit organizations
Proof of registration with ICPAK and valid practicing certificates for partners
Confirmation that neither the firm nor any of its partners/key staff are aware of any conflict of interest with GROOTS Kenya

All expressions of interest and questions about this call must be received via email. The subject of the email should read, “Provision of tax health check services