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 identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.
The Organization
Heifer Project International is a global non-profit organization founded in 1944 that works towards ending hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Heifer International Uganda (HIU) began operations in 1982 and has since grown into one of the country’s leading agricultural and Community Development Organizations with focus on building pro-poor value chains that integrate youth, women empowerment and environmental sustainability. Driven by our Mission, Heifer has reached an incremental number of 4 million families in Uganda through agriculture and environmentally sound economic development programs. By 2030, Heifer Uganda’s Program goal is to support 400,000 smallholder farmers towards attaining a Sustainable Living Income and build sustainable and resilient economies.
The Function
Reporting Directly to the Country Director, as a member of shared leadership team, the position holder collaborates closely with the regional leadership team and Headquarters’ finance team to co-create finance solutions for the country office. The role leads strategic finance management, risk management, reporting, budget and asset management. Additionally, the role ensures finance operational excellence and standards in accordance with Heifer policies and international accounting standards. The role ensures proactive periodic Finance Internal Audit and leads effective External Audit process in line with Heifer Finance Audit guidelines. The position is responsible for leading, coaching & developing a high-performing finance team.
Responsibilities & Deliverables
A. Financial Management (25%)
- Take a lead role in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, aligning these activities with strategic objectives to achieve long-term sustainability.
- Lead the development of in-country Finance strategy and annual plans through a collaborative process.
- Proactively assess and address the country office’s financial sustainability, monitor and provide advice for revising financial plans and reforecasting budgets.
- Provide strategic analysis and interpretation of finances, highlighting key areas for improvement to support informed decision-making.
- Act as a customer-focused business partner by establishing and maintaining proactive links with country and project partners to advise on all aspects of financial management.
- Collaborate with project managers and teams in proposal development, alignment of financial resources with programmatic goals, monitoring budget execution, and identifying opportunities for cost optimization.
- Monitor and deliver burn rate targets in a nimble and agile way.
B. Financial Control and Risk Management (20%)
- Proactively manage all financial functions and controls, internal and external auditing, and development of risk management plans.
- Oversee adherence to financial policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical financial practices.
- Implement comprehensive risk management strategies, identifying and assessing financial risks and proactively developing mitigation plans to safeguard assets and maintain financial integrity.
- Conduct regular reviews and assessments of the organization’s tax position to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.
- Stay abreast of changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices, advising on necessary adjustments to uphold high compliance standards.
- Spearhead internal and external audits, working closely with external auditors and implementing audit recommendations for continuous improvement.
C. Financial Reporting (20%)
- Ensure accurate accounting and reporting of all awards, grants, and donor funds.
- Manage the preparation and presentation of financial reports to key stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
- Oversee donor compliance, managing awards and grants, including preparation of financial reports and documentation required for donor reporting and audits.
- Ensure timely closure of books of accounts and donor reports.
D. Team Leadership, Coaching, and Development (15%)
- Foster a culture of customer focus and continuous improvement within the finance team, encouraging proactiveness and innovation in financial processes and reporting.
- Provide coaching and guidance to the finance team, promoting professional development and building a high-performing and accountable finance department.
E. Procurement & Administration (15%)
- Lead and manage the procurement function and purchasing requirements for goods, equipment, and services, including identifying new purchasing opportunities, renewing and negotiating supplier contracts, and generating cost savings through optimal purchasing patterns.
- Manage purchasing and procurement activities, including supplier management, and ensure value for money.
- Oversee property and office management, ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and managing supplier contracts.
- Supervise and manage the administration staff on a day-to-day basis.
- Ensure efficient management of local and international staff travel in accordance with prevailing policies.
- Oversee office building upkeep and negotiate/manage project-related contracts with consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
- Serve as the technical IT contact and intermediary with the IT consultant where applicable.
- Oversee fixed asset management in accordance with Heifer’s policies and regulations.
F. Any Other Assigned Function (5%)
- May perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
- CIMA or ACCA finalist.
- At least 15 years of related experience, with 8 years in a senior management role.
- Experience in a donor-funded international development environment, including compliance requirements of U.S. government and institutional funders such as USAID, EU, IFAD, DFID/FCDO, and mega-foundations.
Minimum Requirements
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team.
- Proficiency in the local country Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), fiscal statutes, and payroll management statutes.
- A member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Uganda (ICAM).
Key Behavioural Competencies
- Accountability
- Professional Excellence
- Humility
- Customer Orientation
- Empathy
- Innovation
Deadline for Application: 14th March 2025