Senior Finance Officer job at Every Life Uganda

Department:            Finance
Direct Report:          Country Director
Indirect Report:         Head Of Finance U.K
Location:               Bweyogerere, Kampala
Supervisee:             Finance Assistant
Type:                   Full-Time

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Finance Officer is leadership position responsible for overseeing the financial management and sustainability of the organization. The role ensures that all financial systems are accurate, transparent, and in compliance with donor requirements, Ugandan laws, and international accounting standards.

ABOUT EVERY LIFE
EveryLife- Uganda is a registered charity working (in partnership with Every Life International) to bring lasting transformation in slums across Kampala by providing both short-term support and long-term development through Christian discipleship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
• Identify and analyse various risks (e.g. financial, fraud, ETC) that may affect the organization, creating and communicating risk management plans.
• Provide financial forecasts and risk analysis to the National Executive Team.
• Advise on major financial decisions and investments.

Budgeting & Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process; liaising between local team leaders and the International Executive Team (primarily the International Head of Finance).
• Monitor and report on performance against budget throughout the year.
• Coordinate with program teams to ensure activity budgets are realistic and aligned with project goals.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare bi-monthly reports to the International Executive Team on restricted and unrestricted funds received.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS, and donor-specific financial guidelines.
• Oversee management of cash flow and bank reconciliations.
• Ensure monthly requisitions are aligned to the approved budgets and sent to the International Head of Finance on time.
• Approve expenditures and payments in alignment with approved budgets and support by necessary documentation.
• Visits programmes and projects, checks and ensures the adherence to financial and accounting policies and procedures. Provides guidance and advice thereon as necessary.
• Meet team leaders and staff regularly to discuss activities, problems, concerns and new ideas to improve efficiency, communication and cooperation.
• Receive and analyse monthly NSSF, PAYE, Petty Cash reports from Finance Assistant
• Ensure the proper accounting of assets and property of EL-Uganda.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with Uganda Revenue Authority, NGO Board, and other statutory bodies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits; implement recommendations.
• Maintain and enforce robust internal control systems, aligning with systems from Every Life International.

Donor Relations & Grant Management

• Support the preparation of donor financial reports and proposals.
• Track and report on grant utilization and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
• Ensure any grant is utilised for the specific purpose as stipulated by the donor, including issuing budget, programme, monitoring/control system, and reporting to the grantor and Every Life International.

Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor finance staff, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and growth.
• Build financial literacy across the organization through training and support.

Minimum Qualification

• A bachelor’s degree in finance or  a Masters in Business Administration (Accounting / Finance).
• A professional qualification in ACCA or CPA must have completed

at least level 3

Experience

• At least 5 years accounting experience at senior level in a busy organisation / setting.
• Additional experience in NGO community funded programmes including managing donor grants will be of great advantage.
• Experience in NGO community funded programmes including managing donor grants preferred.

Functional Competencies (e.g. knowledge, skills, understanding, abilities…)

• Experience working with financial software (e.g. QuickBooks) and strong proficiency using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work well in a team comprised of people with diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. S/he should have strong leadership and good communication skills.
• The ideal candidate must be self-motivated, able to initiate new ideas and willing to go into the slum communities where we work from time to time
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Team leadership and capacity-building abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and with diverse stakeholders
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to perform well under pressure and to deadlines
• Comfortable going into slum communities where we work from time to time

• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
• Identify and analyse various risks (e.g. financial, fraud, ETC) that may affect the organization, creating and communicating risk management plans.
• Provide financial forecasts and risk analysis to the National Executive Team.
• Advise on major financial decisions and investments.
• Lead the annual budgeting process; liaising between local team leaders and the International Executive Team (primarily the International Head of Finance).
• Monitor and report on performance against budget throughout the year.
• Coordinate with program teams to ensure activity budgets are realistic and aligned with project goals.
• Prepare bi-monthly reports to the International Executive Team on restricted and unrestricted funds received.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS, and donor-specific financial guidelines.
• Oversee management of cash flow and bank reconciliations.
• Ensure monthly requisitions are aligned to the approved budgets and sent to the International Head of Finance on time.
• Approve expenditures and payments in alignment with approved budgets and support by necessary documentation.
• Visits programmes and projects, checks and ensures the adherence to financial and accounting policies and procedures. Provides guidance and advice thereon as necessary.
• Meet team leaders and staff regularly to discuss activities, problems, concerns and new ideas to improve efficiency, communication and cooperation.
• Receive and analyse monthly NSSF, PAYE, Petty Cash reports from Finance Assistant
• Ensure the proper accounting of assets and property of EL-Uganda.
• Ensure compliance with Uganda Revenue Authority, NGO Board, and other statutory bodies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits; implement recommendations.
• Maintain and enforce robust internal control systems, aligning with systems from Every Life International.
• Support the preparation of donor financial reports and proposals.
• Track and report on grant utilization and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
• Ensure any grant is utilised for the specific purpose as stipulated by the donor, including issuing budget, programme, monitoring/control system, and reporting to the grantor and Every Life International.
• Manage and mentor finance staff, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and growth.
• Build financial literacy across the organization through training and support.

• Experience working with financial software (e.g. QuickBooks) and strong proficiency using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work well in a team comprised of people with diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. S/he should have strong leadership and good communication skills.
• The ideal candidate must be self-motivated, able to initiate new ideas and willing to go into the slum communities where we work from time to time
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Team leadership and capacity-building abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and with diverse stakeholders
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to perform well under pressure and to deadlines
• Comfortable going into slum communities where we work from time to time

• A bachelor’s degree in finance or a Masters in Business Administration (Accounting / Finance).
• A professional qualification in ACCA or CPA must have completed at least level 3