ESSENTIAL JOB DETAILS

• Employer: Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
• Location: Remote (global applicants welcome)
• Department: Finance
• Employment Type: Full-Time (Remote)
• Start Date: November 2025
• Application Deadline: 14 October 2025 (rolling review, apply early)

INTRODUCTION

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to providing accurate, accessible, and timely conflict data and analysis to inform policy and decision-making that reduces violent conflict worldwide. With a fully remote workforce spanning all continents, ACLED offers local insights into global crises, becoming a trusted source for governments, NGOs, and researchers.

As ACLED expands its financial management capacity, it is seeking a Payroll Coordinator (Remote) to join the Finance team. This new role will ensure smooth, compliant, and accurate payroll operations across both U.S.-based staff and international partners.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Payroll Coordinator will work closely with the Head of Finance, the Human Resources team, and external payroll providers. This position acts as the main liaison between ACLED and its payroll vendors, ensuring compliance with both U.S. and international regulations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the entire payroll cycle, contractor invoicing, system updates, audits, and process improvements.

This is a remote, full-time role that requires strong technical payroll expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced global non-profit environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the end-to-end payroll cycle (U.S. and international) to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Handle contractor invoicing and payments across multiple platforms.
• Validate monthly payroll inputs and salary adjustments.
• Maintain and monitor time & attendance systems (Timeco).
• Collaborate with HR on payroll exceptions, benefits, and tax compliance.
• Serve as the point of contact with payroll providers, pension funds, and consultants.
• Ensure compliance with ACLED policies and labor/tax legislation.
• Support Finance team in audit preparation and compliance reporting.
• Lead payroll-related process improvement projects.
• Provide guidance to staff on payroll, benefits, and insurance queries.
• Assist HR with related administrative tasks.
• Occasional travel may be required.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Fluency in English (required).
• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in payroll administration.
• Proven experience in non-profit finance management (required).
• Proficiency in Excel, NetSuite, G-Suite, and data management systems.
• Experience with domestic and international PEOs (required).
• Familiarity with Timeco, Bamboo, and Asana (preferred).
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a remote environment.
• Candidates in EST or CET time zones preferred.

WHY JOIN ACLED?

• Global mission impact – contribute to reducing violent conflict worldwide.
• Remote flexibility – work from anywhere with reliable internet.
• Professional growth – collaborate with leading researchers and finance professionals.
• Diverse environment – be part of an inclusive, international team.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit the following via the official ACLED careers portal:

• Updated CV
• Cover Letter (detailing qualifications and relevant experience)

👉 Apply Here – ACLED Careers Portal

Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications encouraged before 14 October 2025.

Important: Please check your spam folder for correspondence after applying.

ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT

View More Job Opportunities Explore more vacancies at Browse verified jobs on https://jobkenya.org/

Free WhatsApp Channel for Job Seekers Get real-time alerts from our WhatsApp Channel for Job Updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAvng36RGJC2TlYSW3N

TAGS

Payroll Coordinator remote job 2025, ACLED finance jobs, NGO payroll administration, international payroll coordinator remote, non-profit finance careers, global payroll jobs remote

Recommendations from the Admin: Exclusive Tips for Success as a Payroll Coordinator – Only on JobKenya.org

With over 100,000 readers accessing this guide, JobKenya.org provides 10 expert-level tips tailored for the Payroll Coordinator role at ACLED. These strategies, designed for the international NGO finance sector, address the 60% non-shortlisting rate due to generic submissions, ensuring your CV and cover letter navigate ATS filters and impress recruiters. To ensure originality among thousands of applicants, personalize your examples by drawing from your unique experiences—specific achievements, tools, or challenges you’ve addressed—while following the provided structure. This approach boosts interview callbacks by up to 45% in Kenya’s competitive remote finance sector.

Tip 1: Quantify Payroll Accuracy and Efficiency

Recruiters seek Payroll Coordinator candidates who demonstrate measurable financial precision in global contexts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight specific outcomes, incorporating keywords like “payroll cycle management” to pass ATS, which filters 70% of mismatched applications. Focus on metrics from your non-profit experience, tailoring examples to your unique international payroll handling.

Write in your CV: “Managed [your cycle, e.g., monthly payroll] for [your staff, e.g., 50 international employees] via [your PEO, e.g., Deel], achieving [your %, e.g., 99.5%] accuracy and reducing errors by [your %, e.g., 25%].” Include in your cover letter: “My processes ensured [your compliance, e.g., US tax filings], supporting [your outcome, e.g., audit readiness].” Start your CV with a summary like: “Detail-oriented Payroll Coordinator with [your years, e.g., 4] years optimizing [your focus, e.g., remote NGO payrolls].” Attach a portfolio with a sample reconciliation report from your work. Follow up with a tailored email within five days, referencing ACLED’s global data mission, to counter the 50% ghosting rate. Join ICPAK Payroll Forum on LinkedIn to refine your unique narrative.

Tip 2: Highlight PEO and Vendor Proficiency

Experience with PEOs is critical, with 75% of international ads requiring it. Certify in Netsuite or similar online, detailing a specific vendor interaction from your experience with keywords like “PEO management.” Personalize by referencing platforms or resolutions you’ve led.

Write in your CV: “Liaised with [your PEO, e.g., Remote.com] for [your task, e.g., 30 contractor payments], resolving [your query, e.g., 95%] discrepancies within [your time, e.g., 48 hours].” Note in your cover letter: “My vendor relationships streamlined [your process, e.g., invoicing], saving [your amount, e.g., 10% costs].” Include a LinkedIn certification badge in your email. Attend Kenya Finance Tech webinars to master tools like BambooHR, addressing rejection for limited exposure. This ensures your Payroll Coordinator application stands out with unique liaison achievements.

Tip 3: Showcase Compliance and Audit Support

Regulatory adherence is key, with 65% of recruiters valuing non-profit compliance. Highlight a specific filing or audit from your experience, using keywords like “tax compliance.” Craft an example that reflects your unique global navigation to avoid overlap.

Write in your CV: “Coordinated [your filing, e.g., international VAT] for [your team, e.g., 20 countries], achieving [your outcome, e.g., 100% on-time submissions] per [your law, e.g., GDPR].” State in your cover letter: “My support during [your audit, e.g., external review] identified [your saving, e.g., KES 50K efficiencies].” Complete a Coursera compliance course and note it. Connect with ACLED’s finance lead on LinkedIn, citing shared humanitarian values, boosting callbacks by 35%. This distinguishes your Payroll Coordinator application by showcasing personalized regulatory expertise.

Tip 4: Emphasize Process Improvement Initiatives

Innovation in payroll is vital, with 70% of ads emphasizing enhancements. Detail a specific change process from your experience, using keywords like “payroll optimization.” Use your own project details to differentiate.

Write in your CV: “Developed [your process, e.g., change request workflow] for [your system, e.g., Timeco], reducing [your delay, e.g., processing time by 30%].” Highlight in your cover letter: “My improvements ensured [your scalability, e.g., for remote teams].” Include a unique flowchart in your portfolio. Follow up emails politely, addressing non-response for generic profiles. Engage Kenya Payroll Network for strategies, ensuring your Payroll Coordinator application shines with originality.

Tip 5: Highlight Remote Multitasking Abilities

Remote work demands juggling priorities, with 70% of hires prioritizing it. Note a specific multitasking achievement from your experience, using keywords like “competing priorities.” Personalize with your own timezone management.

Write in your CV: “Balanced [your tasks, e.g., payroll and queries] across [your zones, e.g., EST/CET], delivering [your %, e.g., 98%] on-time payments for [your staff, e.g., 40].” State in your cover letter: “My remote setup supported [your outcome, e.g., global audits seamlessly].” Add a Asana proficiency to your application. Attend remote work webinars to counter rejection for supervision needs, aligning with ACLED’s Payroll Coordinator standards.

Tip 6: Demonstrate HR Liaison Expertise

Collaboration with HR is essential, with 65% seeking consultative proof. Highlight a specific exception resolution from your experience, using keywords like “HR payroll consultation.” Draw from your own successes to ensure uniqueness.

Write in your CV: “Resolved [your issue, e.g., 50 payroll exceptions] with HR, calculating [your adjustment, e.g., benefits retroactively] for [your team, e.g., international staff].” Note in your cover letter: “My liaison role facilitated [your solution, e.g., policy updates].” Pursue HR coordination courses and note them. Network via Kenya Finance HR Group, addressing non-shortlisting for siloed experience, and excelling as ACLED’s Payroll Coordinator.

Tip 7: Showcase Tool Proficiency Initiatives

Tool mastery is valued, with 60% of ads noting Netsuite/Excel. Detail a specific implementation from your experience, using keywords like “data management systems.” Use your own project to avoid overlap.

Write in your CV: “Integrated [your tool, e.g., Netsuite] with [your system, e.g., Timeco], automating [your task, e.g., attendance inputs] for [your efficiency, e.g., 40% faster cycles].” Include in your cover letter: “My proficiency optimized [your reporting, e.g., monthly audits].” Reference G-Suite certification in your application. Join finance tech forums, countering rejection for basic skills, and innovating for ACLED’s Payroll Coordinator role.

Tip 8: Highlight Query Resolution Expertise

Employee support is crucial, with 55% emphasizing responsiveness. Note a specific query handling from your experience, using keywords like “compensation queries.” Personalize with your unique escalation process.

Write in your CV: “Addressed [your queries, e.g., 100 monthly benefits questions], escalating [your %, e.g., 10%] to supervisors while resolving [your %, e.g., 90%] independently.” State in your cover letter: “My support enhanced [your satisfaction, e.g., team morale].” Include a query log in your portfolio. Pursue customer service training, addressing versatility gaps, and suiting ACLED’s Payroll Coordinator needs.

Tip 9: Build Finance Networking Foundations

Networking boosts shortlisting by 40%. Connect with ACLED finance pros on LinkedIn, referencing conflict data. Detail a specific relationship from your experience, avoiding generic phrasing.

Write in your CV: “Collaborated with [your network, e.g., 8 PEO vendors], negotiating [your term, e.g., better rates saving 12%].” Note in your cover letter: “My connections ensured [your compliance, e.g., timely filings].” Attend Nairobi finance fairs and mention them. This counters ghosting for isolated candidates, connecting you as a networked Payroll Coordinator.

Tip 10: Tailor Applications with Unique Keywords

ATS rejects 70% for mismatches; customize with “international payroll” and “PEO liaison,” echoing the ad. Use your own achievements to differentiate.

Write in your CV: “Led [your project, e.g., audit support], achieving [your outcome, e.g., clean findings].” Highlight in your cover letter: “My remote expertise aligns with [your need, e.g., global NGO operations].” Use tools like Jobscan for refinement and follow up customly. Engage Kenya Remote Finance forums, tackling generic rejections, and spotlighting your Payroll Coordinator fit.