Senior Accountant WWF UGANDA

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, WWF UGANDA

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our lifesupport system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.

What we do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and highly qualified Senior Accountant to support in the delivery of the finance department goals and objectives for effective implementation of WWF Uganda strategic plan.

Type of Contract – Fixed term

Location: – Kampala

The Role:
The Senior Accountant is responsible for the supervision of the daily operations of the finance department to ensure that financial information for decision-making is timely and accurate and that internal financial policies and procedures are consistently adhered to throughout WWF Uganda Country Office.

Main Responsibilities:
1. Monitor funds flows and overall liquidity position of the country office to ensure WWF Uganda meets its financial obligations. This will include ensuring that Call for Funds from donors is timely in line with donor contracts, prompt follow up and settlement of Intercompany payables and receivables.
Monitor the effective operation of all WWF Uganda bank accounts by advising the FAM on the adequacy of signatories, any change in signatories, signatory mandate, dormant accounts so that timely communication is made with the appropriate team at WWF International and that approved changes are effected.
3. Ensure overall compliance with statutory obligations and manage the VAT ledger by preparing monthly VAT returns and following up with the revenue body for timely re-imbursement of VAT claims and proper allocation of the refunds to the appropriate project bank accounts
4. Support the FAM in the annual country office budget consolidation and the quarterly forecasting processes including preparing the core budget for the country office, advising on unfunded core costs, and upload of approved budget to the ERP to aid expenditure tracking.
5. Review payments requests for completeness and adequacy of supporting documentation, compliance with internal policies and donor rules and forward qualifying expenses to the FAM for approval
6. Ensure timely and accurate posting of financial transactions, oversee the monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, period end closure in the Accounting system and approval of reconciliation reports by the FAM
7. Ensure monthly statements of accounts are maintained to allow the personnel responsible for the respective budgets to easily monitor work in progress and availability of funds;
Work closely with the Project Accountants and the Grants and Finance Specialist to ensure that the planned cost recovery is realized as per schedule and accurately recorded in the accounting system as per internal policy on cost recovery.
9. Work closely with the Grants and Finance Specialist and project accountants to ensure audit recommendations are addressed timely as per agreed audit action plan
10. Support the FAM in preparation of monthly briefs to the Country Leadership Team, quarterly management accounts, halfyear and annual consolidated financial pack to the regional office and global secretariat.
11. Conduct periodic training sessions for staff and implementing partners on internal financial management policies, donor rules and all applicable country laws and legislations that may impact financial processed in the country office and enforce total compliance at all times.
12. Drive initiatives to improve workflow and streamline the internal control processes, policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity;
Supervise and monitor the performance of staff to ensure that any capacity gaps are identified and addressed promptly in line with internal policy provisions

What you need:

Qualifications and experience
University degree in Accounting/finance or a related field and a professional accounting qualification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (ACCA) is required. At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial accounting, preferably in an international environment (NGO or Company); Experience working with government and OR donor funded projects; Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications, particularly advanced level in MS excel is required. Experience in using ERP system is highly desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies
A team player with strong inter-personal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Strong ability to establish prioritize, work within tight timelines and multi-task. Able to work under minimal supervision with high level of resilience with strong oral and written communication skills in English. Identifies and aligns with the core values of WWF organisation : Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.