Finance Business Partner at Saferworld, Kampala, Uganda
Job Description
Saferworld is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to preventing violent conflict and building safer lives. Working with communities, civil society, governments, and international institutions, Saferworld supports effective policies and practices through advocacy, research, and policy development, while empowering others to take action.
Key Facts:
• Head office: London.
• Regional offices: Several African countries, Central Asia, Yemen, South Asia, Washington, Brussels, and Beijing.
• Annual income: £16-20 million, funded by 40 donor contracts.
• Focus areas: Advocacy, research, financial compliance, safeguarding, and optimizing “money to mission.”
Purpose
The Finance Business Partner will:
• Strengthen systems for managing and complying with financial processes for Saferworld’s “commercial” contracts.
• Provide high-quality finance partnering to country offices.
• Support financial planning, budgeting, and reporting while offering analysis and insight to inform strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with leadership, country teams, and finance managers to ensure effective financial management and cost recovery strategies.
Roles and Responsibilities
Country Programme Business Partnering
• Collaborate with country offices to prepare budgets and long-term financial plans.
• Oversee monthly and quarterly management accounts, assess trends, and participate in financial performance reviews.
• Support financial management of projects, including preparing year-end accounts and statutory audits.
• Ensure donor reporting compliance and timelines are met.
• Work with country teams to implement audit recommendations.
• Provide financial information and analysis for fundraising and business case development.
Organizational Business Partnering
• Provide strategic financial advice to support decision-making at leadership levels.
• Support finance-related organization-wide initiatives and projects.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial trends and accounts to leadership.
• Oversee implementation of cost recovery policies and risk management procedures in country offices.• Approve budgets for fundraising proposals in collaboration with country offices.
Key Working Relationships
• Budget Holders and Country Representatives: Set finance priorities and recommend system/process improvements.
• Grant Managers: Collaborate on financial reporting and trend analysis.
Scope and Accountability
Decision-Making:
• Advisory role, with strategic decisions made by in-country finance teams or country management.
Financial Resources:
• No budgetary responsibility but may act as a signatory for bank transfers.
People Management:
• Supervises and oversees finance staff or consultancies as assigned.
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance:
• Ensures compliance with local financial regulations and statutory requirements.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Qualifications, and Experience:
• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA).
• Experience as a finance business partner or senior financial management in the charity sector, ideally with international field offices.
• Proven expertise in budgeting and forecasting with both restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Understanding of donor environments, grant compliance, and institutional fundraising.
• Track record of project management and financial control processes.
• Experience mentoring and strengthening finance staff capacity.
• Proven ability to anticipate change and guide organizations through adaptation.
Skills and Abilities:
• Analytical problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• Strong hands-on work ethic while balancing strategic responsibilities.
• Business partnering skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• Effective cross-cultural communication, including remote liaison.
• Resilient under pressure, proactive in problem-solving, and adept at decision-making.
Personal Qualities:
• Commitment to Saferworld’s safeguarding principles.
• Respect for equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on applying these values in the workplace.
• Dedication to personal and professional development.
• Alignment with Saferworld’s mission and values.
Other Requirements
• Willingness to work outside normal hours during emergencies or critical incidents
