Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability..

The Organization

Heifer International is a global development organization on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. We work with farmers and their communities to identify and invest in business opportunities that deliver living incomes. Since launching in 1944, Heifer International has assisted more than 40 million families to build sustainable food and farming businesses that strengthen rural economies and put people on a pathway to Sustainable Living Income. We work with local farmers, and food producers because we believe ending poverty begins with agriculture.

Heifer International started work in Uganda in 1982 and has since reached and helped over 5 million families across the country. Heifer has worked in 52 districts of Uganda and currently, we are present in 15 districts of Central, Eastern and Northern Uganda. In the last 12 years, Heifer Uganda has reached over one million families through agriculture and environmentally sound economic development programs.

FUNCTION

The Finance Manager-Strengthening Agribusiness for Youth Employment will maintain the SAYE grants Portfolio. Under the guidance of the Project Director and with a functional reporting to the Director Finance and Administration, this position will work closely with in country, regional and HPI headquarters (HQ) finance team to maintain financial integrity and ensure sound financial management of the project.

She/ He will develop and/or implement procedures which promote financial discipline to meet project and organizational goals as well as maintaining strong financial controls as they relate to the project. She/ He will coordinate the timely submission of project budgets, financial projections, and reporting, and will serve as the primary point of contact in project financial planning and budgeting. This position will also provide support in the processes of accounting transactions, cash flow, banking, grant management, Risk management and compliance with HPI/ Mastercard Foundation policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Detail oriented, positive, Determined, Values-oriented, Enthusiastic.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Program effectiveness (20%)

• Accountable for providing leadership to ensure that all project stake holders (programs, finance, project management, country program, management team, partners) among others receive timely and accurate financial information to attain the highest standard of effectiveness.
• Well managed project finances and assets.
• Provide leadership to project finance and administration teams to ensure that maximum output is achieved by encouraging and acknowledging good performance, coaching, providing resources, tools and equipment and assisting staff to prevent and resolve problems.
• Maintain knowledge of required rules and regulations related to project implementation and activities that affect the budget.
• Conduct trainings and staff development workshops with the project accounting team to ensure that they improve their understanding of different granting/contracting mechanisms and build their capacity to adhere to donor regulations related to reporting, budgeting, asset acquisition, management, and disposition.

B. Management and Compliance (60%)

• Accountable for ensuring full compliance with Project/ Mastercard Foundation requirements and HPI policies and for providing management with all financial and administrative aspects of the project while adhering to local laws and regulations.
• Take lead in working with the Project Director, Project Managers and the project finance team in the preparation and submission of the project’s monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual finance reports and financial statements as stipulated in HPI policies.
• Interpret project variance reports and expenditure analyses to project staff and request for explanations as needed from the budget holders in line with finance policies.
• Ensure that all project transactions are in line with government laws.
• Prepare, coordinate, and monitor the project budget and lead regular meetings with project managers to review issues and trends identified.
• Oversee performance of project financial activities (accounting, finance, cash flow and reporting, tax/regulatory compliance including filing all statutory obligations, and adherence to GAAP/IFRS),
• Check bank reconciliations every month and forward them to the Director Finance for approval.
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles and standards including HPI partners; Mastercard Foundation, local partners and HPI cost principles.
• Review payment requests and ensure timely processing of funds.
• Regular review of Asset Register and Support awareness measures for prevention of fraud, bribery, and corruption; report any suspected misconduct to the Director Finance and administration.
• Continuously advise both finance and non-finance project staff over matters of internal control compliance and work with the Director Finance and administration to review the relevancy of the existing controls to minimize risk exposure of HPI.
• In collaboration with country office finance heads, establish and maintain sound financial management systems and provide administrative support to the project.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets, and organizational drivers.
• Effective Office management (Asset and inventory management, facility maintenance, IT & security, conferences, travel & fleet management)
• Ensure that an effective filing system is in place and coordinate with program staff to ensure that the projects resources are effectively and efficiently utilized.

C. Grant and Partnership Management (15%)

• Accountable for establishing and maintaining proactive links with project partners to ensure compliance with established processes and procedures with the highest level of accountability.
• Serve as the partner point of contact on grant management and compliance issues.
• Identify financial management capacity gaps and training needs assessments for the project staff and partners, provision of hands-on support and training.
• Conduct field support and verification visits to Cluster and partner offices to ensure sound financial management and reporting.
• Follow up on the timely implementation of Actions of the Audits/financial reviews.
• Conduct/coordinate Audits and investigations and ensure timely implementation of action plans.

D. May perform other duties as assigned (5%)

• Performs other duties assigned by his/her supervisor or designee.

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in a related field, plus three (3) years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
2. Certified public accountant, Association of chartered certified accountants (ACCA) certification or equivalent.
3. Current membership with ACCA and/or certified public accountants institute is an added advantage.

Most Critical Proficiencies

1. Good analytical skills and ability to verify information.
2. Knowledge of accounting and statement of financial accounting standards rule.
3. Strong skills in budgeting and reporting, and the ability to analyze and interpret financial reports.
4. Excellent management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
5. Knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate and a good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, unemployment, and the environment.
6. Computer proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail software, and knowledge of accounting software (e.g.: MS Office Suite, ERP Accounting packages such as Agresso, Sun Systems.
7. Strong organizational skills.
8. Skilled at strategic thinking and anticipating future developments and trends to incorporate them into organizational plans.
9. Demonstrated written and oral fluency in English.
10. Experience working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) environment in a similar position is an added advantage.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

1. Ability to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
2. Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports.
3. Proven team and customer care skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in several locations.
4. Experience managing grants/contracts from foundations such as the Mastercard Foundation.
5. Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues both within and outside the country.
6. May require constant sitting and moving, working at a computer for extended periods.
7. Ability to maintain the highest level of professionalism when dealing with project participants, staff, and partner organizations.
8. Willingness to contribute to Heifer International’s principles of transparency and honesty.
9. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
10. Ability to perform multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
11. Ability to lift to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) floor-to-waist.
12. Willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
13. Willingness to travel within the designated districts of operation.

NOTE: The Mastercard Foundation adheres to the highest standards of care related to its programs, those involved in carrying out its mission, and the millions of young people it supports in accessing dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of misconduct and takes seriously its responsibility to improve the safety and well-being of the young people who participate in its programs. This duty of care is shared by the Foundation’s partners. As such, during recruitment of staff for Foundation supported programs, all necessary mechanisms are put in place to ascertain that candidates under consideration share our commitment to safeguarding.