Finance Manager at MRC Uganda, Kampala

MRC Uganda is hiring a Finance Manager responsible for the overall management and proper functionality of all operations for the finance section through planning controlling and provision of leadership to the section: ensuring compliance with Unit policies and procedures governing financial transactions, working with head office finance staff, Auditors, and section heads on budgeting forecasting, monthly reconciliations and reporting, all aimed at ensuring that the overall financial position of the Unit remains under control within budget

To act as the main point of contact to external donors in regards to financial reporting and budgets and to work alongside the RSO in the provision of a service of reporting excellence to donors.

She/he will manage the development and maintenance of financial accounting records, reports and internal control/reporting systems for the production of sound and accurate financial information by the Finance Team including developing the Dynamics 365 BC systems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Management.

• To monitor project expenditure reports, ensuring that projects stay within budget also to alert project leaders to where an underspend is likely. Discusses project financial position regularly with the Project Leaders and maintains close working relations with external funders working with the Head of Research Support Office (RSO).
• Represents the Unit with HOF on financial matters at Operations meetings.
• Supports production of the financial budgets for the 5 year QQ period.
• Provides monthly variance commentary on monthly financial performance to Head office.
• Produces in-year forecasts for expenditure, updates expenditure forecast monthly
• Month end review and sign off of the balance sheet, income and expenditure sheet and cashflow statement for discussion with the HOF.
• Close accounting periods and open the new accounting periods.
• Supporting the preparation of financial information to donors, Head office and SAC or at other meetings.
• Donor financial reporting, including budget setting and representing the finance section at Donor or Project budget and review meetings alongside the Head of the RSO
• Reviews the fixed asset reconciliations and signs off the annual asset verification reports.
• Reviews the monthly capital expenditure report before it is sent to Head Office.
• Co-authorisation of payments; review and authorising and deactivating General ledger/Cost Center codes; raising requests for corrections of transactions where needed.
• Management of accounts payable and receivable aiming to keep both within 60 days maximum; advising of and discussing problems on accounts with HOF; following up reclaimable expenses from RCL
• Reviews international and LESO staff travel claims, are correctly authorised and are in line with Unit policy and contracts.
• Reviews and signs off the staff payroll and payment of associated income and employment taxes and reconciliation versus the previous month. Tracks overall staff numbers by contract type. Ensures seconded staff payments are made in line with contracts.
• Ensures VAT is reclaimed monthly by the Unit correctly from URA. Ensuring that the Accountant is following up with suppliers and URA where there are problems
• Filing of the annual tax Income tax returns; coordinates and ensures the filing of PAYE, NSSF, WHT, LST, etc, and other tax returns as required.
• Works closely with the Internal Audit firm to action review points arising from reviews and design any required new internal controls
• Acts as main point of contact for all audit teams, URA, NSSF and other financial inspection teams and ensures required information and explanations are provided; follows up, implements and introduces new systems, and investigates any audit points arising.
• Ensures that the finance section stores records correctly for 7 years, except Payroll, Tax and Social Security records that are stored indefinitely and that the staff are filing their reports and work neatly and accessibly.

Administration.

• Responsibility for staff training and development within the finance section.
• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies priorities and procedures relating to financial management, accounting and controls.
• Ensures strict adherence to Fraud and Bribery Act and staff awareness
• Acts in front line for detecting any thefts or frauds within the Unit and assessing the values of any such frauds. Liaises with HR, HOF, Head office and Police concerning any frauds.
• Maintains and updates the Units delegated financial authority spread sheet.
• Ensures that IT department deactivates ex users from Dynamics 365BC and sets up new users on Dynamics 365BC
• Updates DFA letters and does user provisioning for new users on MSD, updates DFA letters and approval limits for Oracle users
• Updates new accounts expenditure codes and cost centres in TechOne and Dynamics 365BC as recommended by Head office.
• Monitors distribution and use of LESO staff Equals debit cards for work related travel costs only.
• Maintains good working relationships with the Unit bankers and investigates/resolves any differences or anomalies between the bank statements and the Unit records. Initiates foreign exchange swaps for approval of HOF.
• Introduces new internal Controls, updates SOPs and drafts new SOP’s where necessary and checks adherence.
• Ensure that appropriate financial regulations and controls are in place and are always in use to limit financial risk, ensuring that financial audits provide significant assurance on Internal Controls.

Financial Responsibilities.

• Senior level financial responsibilities, co-signatory on all MRC bank accounts and co- authoriser of purchase orders within financial authority limits, and co signatory on cheques and payments.
• Co-signatory on payroll and able to co-authorise salary batch payments. Day to day use and responsibility for the corporate debit card.
• May sign-off external grant reports to funders.

People Management Responsibilities.

• Responsible for supervising the entire finance section, through the SA , working closely with the Head of RSO on the financial aspects of grant reporting.
• Works closely with other section heads in administration including HR, estates and the project leaders in grant accounting, budgeting and reporting.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting MBA or equivalent;
• Professional accounting qualification ACCA – professional level or CPA;
• Should possess at least three years’ experience as the Head of a busy
• finance/accounting team in a public or private sector environment, producing monthly financial information, budgets , forecasts and financial reporting with commentaries for external donors and senior management;
• Experience working for an international donor or non-profit organisation;
• Technically up to date with IFRS and all Ugandan tax requirements effecting payroll and other financial reporting;
• Should possess advanced excel and spread sheeting skills and sound knowledge of other Microsoft office packages, in depth experience of using the Dynamics 365 Business Central accounting system including the ability to build and customise reports within the system;
• Must be able to implement a strong internal control environment, with a robust month end reconciliation process;
• Should possess excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Knowledgeable and experienced of using GAAP;
• Personal Integrity;
• Emotional Resourcefulness;
• Ability to Learn;
• Forward Thinking;
• Reliability;
• Excellent communication skills especially English both written and verbal; and,
• Professional attitude and appearance.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their applications online:

Complete all sections in the online form

Click Here

Upload your curriculum vitae of maximum 4 pages in the designated area on the form. This CV should be uploaded in Word or PDF format.

Submit your 500 words motivation statement in the designated area in the form. In this statement, please explain why you would like to participate in this project, why you think you are the right person for this, and how you think participating in this project will benefit you and your community.

Deadline: 22nd January 2026