Financial Controller

Job Description

The financial controller reports directly to the project coordinator, and is responsible for financial management of the project and for maintaining all project accounts in good order. As head of the finance unit, the financial controller will take charge of all matters in the project accounting cycle. The project accounting cycle to be overseen by the financial controller starts from financial-related inputs in AWPB preparation and budget control, committing funds, disbursements and cash flow management in an effective and efficient manner, financial reporting to ensuring smooth audits and facilitation for supervision missions on all financial management aspects. The position is based in Gulu, with frequent travels to the field.

Responsibilities

• Installation of appropriate accounting/reporting systems to ensure that the PMU and especially the Project Coordinator are regularly informed of on-going financial status and transactions.
• Ensure timely capture of PRELNOR in the GoU budget yellow book as required by the GoU budgeting processes and calendars to be able to access counterpart funding.
• Communicate to all implementing partner institutions, service providers and districts their financial responsibilities, the funds available and how to access it, and the requirements of reporting and record keeping in accordance with prevailing government practices which are acceptable to IFAD.
• Ensure that all project funds are used in accordance with the conditions of the financing agreements, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the funds were provided;
• Ensure that all necessary supporting documents, records and accounts are kept in respect of all project activities, with clear linkages between the books of account and the financial statements presented to the financiers;
• Ensure that designated account and operational accounts are maintained in accordance with the provisions of the financing agreement and in accordance with the financier’s rules and procedures;
• Ensure that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards as adopted in Uganda;
• Liaise with external auditors to audit the project accounts to meet the required submission dates by both GoU and IFAD;
• Process documentation and follow up on disbursements from the government and IFAD to ensure that releases are not delayed. Ensure that funds for project implementation are disbursed in a timely manner to enable project interventions to be carried out on time:

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting from a recognised University / Institution and must be Certified Public Accountant duly registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU).
• At least eight years of relevant work experience, including at least four as a financial manager or accountant in government/donor programmes or large institutions.
• Strong managerial skills and demonstrated capacity to manage people and interact with a wide range of private sector partners and government representatives;
• Knowledge of work planning, budgeting and reporting;
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills;
• Computer-literate including accounting packages and well-versed in the use of Excel, Word and basic data base set-ups.

Contract

Two-year contract, with six months’ probation period, renewable based on agreed performance targets and deliverables