Finance Manager. – Mango Tree - 2015

Project Name: Northern Uganda Literacy Program (NULP)

The Finance Manager (FM) will be tasked with increasing the financial management capacity within NULP. As such the FM is a senior management position and she/he will work closely with the Program Director and the Project Managers for NULP as a pro-active member of the NULP management team. The FM will be responsible for the financial management of NULP. The FM will be directly responsible for financial planning and budgets, adherence to financial policies and procedures, procurement and payments, documentation and accountability for all program activities. She/he will also actively participate in the strategic planning of activities, support managers with operational budgets and information to guide implementation, and ensure adherence to MT policies and procedures. Working with the PD, the FM will play a vital role in financial reporting towards donors. The FM will be responsible for ensuring that all reports are accurate and compiled in a timely matter according to the agreed schedule. Donors include Hewlett Foundation, Comic Relief, DfID, and IGC.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Financial Administration:
· Manage all payments and receipts in accordance with the MT’s financial procedures
· Ensure all transactions are properly recorded in QuickBooks
· Responsible for petty cash management and handle all cash payments and receipts
· Carry out monthly reconciliations of all bank and petty cash accounts
· Carry out relevant financial close processes for all month ends, quarter ends and year end.
· Ensure all financial documents are properly filed and filing systems are kept accurate and up-to-date
· Ensure effective and efficient interaction with Finance Office MT Kampala on all procedural matters
· Maintain and update Financial Policies Manual in consultation with Finance Office MT Kampala.
2. Financial Controls and Procedures:
· Ensure strict adherence to organisation’s financial policies, procedures and controls, including but not limited to authorising transactions, safeguarding organisational assets and maintaining integrity of financial records
· Constantly review and improve the existing procedures based on risk assessment and operational needs
· Maintain and update Financial Procedures Manual as required
· The incumbent will maintain a proper asset register
3. Budgeting and Reporting:
· Oversee the annual budgeting process to ensure timely preparation and approval of organisation’s Annual Budget, and any mid-term budget reviews as needed
· Routinely review and improve the existing budget template to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to organisation’s activities
· Ensure annual budgets are properly reflected in the accounting system
· Take a lead in creating an effective and timely budget monitoring system in consultation with the management
· Build the capacity of project teams in developing and monitoring their respective budgets
· Prepare and submit monthly Budget Variance reports for all programme components for the use by the management
4. Cash Management and Organisational Development:
· Prepare and review regular cash forecasts to ensure sufficient liquidity for operational activities
· Maintain current deposit arrangements in liaison with organisation’s bankers, and continuously search for new investment opportunities to maximise the return on cash balances
· Support the Program Director in developing a sound cost management strategy to maintain and improve the efficiency of all operations
· Take a lead in developing Projects Financial Manuals in collaboration with project staff
· The incumbent will support management and the Board in strategic decision making, as required
5. Fundraising and Donor Liaison:
· Render support in preparing financial parts of funding proposals when requested by Program Director
· Assist the Program Director in his/her liaison with existing and potential donors, as required
· Ensure timely preparation and submission of all donor financial reports
6. Audit:
· Ensure annual audit of organisation’s financial statements is properly carried out
· Offer support to Finance Office MT Kampala in organising and carrying out annual audits
· Manage any donor specific project and programme audits as required
7. Contract Management:
· Regularly review all supplier and service provider contracts for compliance with organisational policies and procedures and principles of sound financial management
· Maintain a database of all supplier and service provider contracts
· Ensure all suppliers and service providers are paid on time and in accordance with the terms of the contract
· Perform regular reviews of existing suppliers and service providers to ensure continuous value for money
· Guide management on any issues concerning external contracting, on request

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate for the Finance Manager placement should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Management or its equivalent, from a reputable post-secondary institution
· Professional Accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA) or in the late stages of obtaining one
· The Finance Manager should have a strong financial background with at least four years of financial management experience, preferably with an International NGO.
· Previous experience with reporting towards the NULP donors will be considered an added advantage.
· Prior experience of working in developing country in multi-cultural environment
· Detailed working knowledge of computerised accounting systems i.e. proficiency in QuickBooks
· High degree of computer literacy
· Clear and effective written and oral communication in English.
· Familiarity with major international donor agencies (USAID, DfID, Comic Relief, etc.)
· Self-motivated and ambitious
· High degree of integrity and professionalism
· Independence, ability to work with minimal supervision
· Excellent organizational skills
· Independence and initiative, creating thinking and focus on continuous
· Accuracy, attention to detail
· Excellent communication skills, ability to communicate effectively at all levels
· Sense of humor and a positive attitude

Compensation Package:
· Competitive salary to commensurate with experience
· AAR health insurance
· Housing in Lira town provided
· Work-related transport to and from Kampala covered
· Reimbursement for work-related expenses (e.g. Airtime, Internet)