Finance Specialist

The Finance Specialist is responsible for ensuring sound financial management and effective implementation of financial processes for DRC Uganda. The role supports internal controls, accurate financial reporting, budget management, partnership management, and contributes to DRC’s strategic and programmatic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with DRC’s Operations Handbook, Donor Regulations, and Statutory Requirements.
• Collaborate with Area and Project Managers in the preparation, development, review, and revision of project budgets to ensure alignment with project objectives, donor requirements, and DRC financial policies.
• Coordinate and strengthen budgetary control by providing financial oversight, supporting Project Managers on co-funding requirements, reviewing financial performance, analyzing key variances, and recommending corrective actions.
• Lead the preparation and timely updating of monthly Budget Follow-Up (BFU) reports and actively participate in BFU review meetings with Budget Holders and relevant departments to analyze financial performance, address variances, and agree on corrective actions.
• Ensure the timely preparation, review, and submission of accurate interim and final financial reports to donors and internal reports to colleagues and Headquarters (HQ).
• Perform financial verification of payment requests by validating supporting documentation, budget availability, account coding, approvals, and compliance with internal controls and donor requirements prior to payment processing.
• Support the Finance Manager in preparing cash flow forecasts and funding requests, while monitoring and managing cash flow requirements to ensure the timely availability of funds for operational and project activities.
• Lead and coordinate month-end and year-end financial closure activities, ensuring all financial transactions, reconciliations, accruals, and adjustments are completed accurately and within prescribed timelines.
• Review and reconcile Balance Sheet accounts regularly, ensuring open transactions are settled promptly, outstanding items are investigated and resolved within established timelines, and valid justifications are maintained for long-outstanding transactions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant country-specific statutory and financial obligations, including taxes, levies, and statutory returns, to meet regulatory requirements.
• Lead the rollout of new financial system functionalities and conduct comprehensive training sessions for new and existing staff to enhance their financial management capabilities and ensure up-to-date system updates.
• Lead the coordination of statutory, internal, and project audits, ensuring seamless audit processes and the timely execution of audit recommendations.
• Serve as a strategic finance business partner to the Area and Country Office teams by providing financial insights, performance analysis, and recommendations that inform operational and strategic decisions.
• Lead the financial oversight of sub-grant and consortium partners by coordinating financial assessments and reviews, ensuring compliance with DRC, donor, and statutory requirements.
• Support partner budget preparation and monitoring.
• Review partner financial reports.
• Deliver ongoing capacity building and technical support to strengthen partner financial systems and controls.
• Ensure DRC Dynamics is used to its full capacity.
• Ensure timely set-up of project budgets in DRC Dynamics.
• Ensure accuracy of all financial data posted to DRC Dynamics.
• Maintenance of the finance ledger.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or relevant field and Final or Part certification in CPA or ACCA.
• Minimum of 5 years’ progressive finance experience with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).
• Strong knowledge of donor financial management, budgeting, reporting, and compliance requirements, with practical experience working with major institutional donors such as DANIDA, BPRM, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, EUTF, ECHO, EU, FCDO, OCHA, and Private Foundations.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar systems.
• Proven experience in working with national partners and local/government authorities.
• Proficiency in standard computer applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Skills

• Finance Management
• Budgeting
• Donor Financial Compliance
• Financial Reporting
• CPA Certification
• ACCA
• INGO Financial Experience
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Financial Partner Coordination
• Local Government Liaison
• MS Excel
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Planning and Organization
• Time Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Facilitation Skills

Languages

English