Senior Finance Officer – Grants At Catholic Relief Services

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer – Grants

Department: Operations – Finance

Report to: Deputy Finance Manager – Grants

Job Location: Kampala/Uganda

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been working in Uganda since 1965 and has a vibrant portfolio of projects, serving over a million vulnerable Ugandans and refugees each year through the Country Program 2030 Strategy. CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 150 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Yumbe, Kyangwali, Kasese and Hoima.

Job Summary:

You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the CP’s projects/grants policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the CP’s projects/grants financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the CP’s projects/grants life cycles.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for projects/grants subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned projects/grants accounts in Project Insight financial accounting package.
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate, and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant projects/grants staff of due payments/liquidations and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist projects/ grants staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to projects/grants staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Perform assigned treasury projects/grants (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting.
• Qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of Project Insight financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Required Languages –Good oral and written skills in English.

Travel requirements – Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% to the Field offices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications.
• Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisory: None.
• Internal: Country Representative, Finance, Program & Admin Staff, Vendors.
• External: Banks, Statutory Bodies, SR Partners, and Auditors.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.