Uganda: Office Manager | Uganda Jobs Vacancies, Employment, Career Opportunities in Uganda. - 2015

Organization: Bioversity International

Country: Uganda

Closing date: 27 Feb 2015

Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization. We have a vision – that agricultural biodiversity nourishes people and sustains the planet.

We deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security. We work with partners in low-income countries in different regions where agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition, resilience, productivity and climate change adaptation.

Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium – a global research partnership for a food secure future.

For further information on Bioversity International, consult our Web page at: www.bioversityinternational.org

Purpose of Role

Reporting to Corporate Services in Rome HQ and to the Regional Coordinator in the Kampala Office, and working closely with HR in HQ, the Office Manager, has overall responsibility for providing effective and efficient administrative, finance and HR services to the Bioversity Uganda Office (BUO), for ensuring compliance with Bioversity policies and the laws of Uganda, and oversees the offices day-to-day operations. The position is expected to provide both oversight and, for specific areas, to have a hands-on role in performing operational activities.

Main responsibilities

Located in Bioversity’s office in Kampala, Uganda, the incumbent will:

• Prepare and monitor the annual operating budget for the Office;


• Oversee and support general accounting, expenditure monitoring and financial reporting office related activities including office signatories for clearance and approval;


• Oversee and support the procurement of supplies, equipment and services including the monitoring and evaluation of vendor contracts;


• Oversee facilities maintenance, building and security, transport services and related activities; liaise with related service providers to ensure effective services;


• Working closely with the HR staff in HQ, oversee and provide hands-on support to the administrative aspects of HR-related services, including providing advice to staff on general HR matters, preparation and management of contracts for local staff; oversee the payroll for locally recruited staff, including withholding and payment of applicable taxes;


• Oversee protocol services, including liaising with the host country government with regard to matters related to the Agreement between Bioversity and the Government of Uganda; responding to administrative requests from relevant governmental agencies, including those related to special ID cards and visas for staff and dependents, customs clearances and other privileges and immunities under the Agreement;


• Liaise with HQ on the organization of internal and external audits and provide support to such audits in the Office;


• Serve as Bioversity Security Focal point for BUO;


• Serve as the focal point for organizations hosted by Bioversity in Uganda, and their staff, ensuring provision of services to the hosted entities as set forth in hosting agreements;


• Oversee provision of administrative, finance and HR services to project outreach offices as assigned (currently Burundi and DRC);


• Regularly review administrative processes and procedures to ensure services are delivered in the most efficient and effective manner, and in compliance with Bioversity policies and procedures and in compliance with national laws, and make recommendations for improvement; develop and implement related procedures and processes;


• Support, motivate and supervise a small team of support staff;


• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and competencies

Essential qualifications & competencies:

• Relevant university degree or equivalent qualifications.


• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in administration (including the administration of personnel), and accounting or finance. A good portion of this experience will be in the management of such functions.


• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel and Word; working knowledge of computerized accounting packages.


• Knowledge of and experience with Ugandan employment law.


• Knowledge of accounting and budgeting practices and procedures.


• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.


• Excellent interpersonal, communications and teamwork skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.


• Ability to motivate and supervise staff.


• Highly developed skills with personal organization, priority setting, problem solving and report writing.


• Ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas complemented by sound judgment and initiative.


• Very strong client orientation and service approach.

Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Experience in a not-for-profit organization or academic environment.


• Professional financial accreditation.

Terms and conditions: This is a locally recruited position, based in Kampala, Uganda. The salary is level 7, in a scale of eight levels, with level 8 being the highest. The salary range starts from UGX *75,896,991*per annum. As this is a locally recruited position, relocation costs are not covered. The initial contract will be for a period of three years subject to a probationary period of twelve months. The contract is renewable, contingent upon continuous relevance of the position, availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity.

How to apply:

Please apply online through Bioversity Job Opportunities web page (http://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/) by clicking the “Apply” button, completing the online application and attaching the required information, no later than 27 February, 2015. Please note that in the application you are required to provide the contact details (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of at least three referees, which Bioversity will contact for short listed applicants.