Finance Coordinator - ECHO

DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as a Finance Coordinator

Overall purpose of the role:
The position provides comprehensive advice, coordination, and technical support to the Finance teams within the country, with a particular focus on the ECHO-funded Uganda Cash Consortium and other projects.

The Finance Coordinator ensures compliance with the finance chapters of DRC’s Operations Handbook and provides day-to-day financial support for DRC projects, including budget monitoring, forecasting, and budget modifications for the Consortium. They will facilitate efficient financial operations at the DRC Kampala office through analytics, cost allocations, and identifying resource allocation gaps. Additionally, the role includes providing training, guidance, and enforcing compliance with DRC regulations as outlined in the Operations Handbook, as well as donor policies, procedures, guidelines, and rules.

This position reports to the Finance Manager and works closely with the Finance Officer, providing back filling support as needed.

Geographic scope: Country (Uganda)
This role has a country focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the country.

The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

The role provides support and/or technical guidance to the country while overseeing country activities.

Key Responsibilities include:
1. Budgeting Management

• Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues for ECHO Consortium project in the country, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances and any remedial action.
• Maintain a continuous overview of funding levels and pay particular attention to shared support costs, including staff salaries to be billed on project.
• Ensure monthly meetings are held with project managers to discuss key variances, reasons for these, and any remedial action that is required
• Contribute to the development of proposals with regards to budgeting in cooperation with Managers.
• Support in the preparation of the project budget and budget re-alignment.
• Prepare and code new budgets and update DRC Dynamics.

2. Financial Administration

• Support timely delivery of quality financial reports to ECHO and internal reports to colleagues and HQ.
• Review of cash distribution accountabilities for DRC Uganda and Consortium partners.
• Update and share regularly the financial documents, allowing accurate/timely/safe financial management of the programme.
• Compile the accounting and financial data for the monthly report .
• Maintain review of cashbooks and journals as recommended and ensure timely submission and posting.
• Support with necessary updates on MB in Dynamics
• Monitor the petty cash handled by the finance staff.
• Supervise the preparation of vouchers and related invoices.
• Supervise maintenance and timely organization of supporting financial documents into both electronic and manual files according to DRC requirements.

3.Partnership management.

• Ensure thorough and effective budgetary control in the Consortium and provide regular feedback to partners and partners with support and visits.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain team to ensure clean up in DRC Dynamics pending orders and payables.
• Provide capacity building for field staff and partners in relation to reporting requirements through field support visits.
• Ensure timely fund requests and disbursements to Consortia partners based on the sub grants agreement and the disbursement schedules.

4. Audits and compliance.

• Reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, internal guidelines and donor requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies and statutory returns.
• Ensure all required documentation is in place and is reviewed as well as provide prompt follow-up where there are gaps.
• Prepare for project audits as necessary and provide input to audit queries.
• Provide input to donor queries as necessary.
• Field visits to project sites and other key project activities to establish compliance with processes and procedures.
• Analyze compensation packages, taxation requirements and human resource policies for local staff to ensure that DRC has adequately planned for local staff compensation and benefits
• Ensure cash counts cash is done at least once per week with the admin/finance officer, and at the end of each month before closing accounts.

5. Liquidity Management

• Collect cash forecasts from all Programme Managers and request funds in a timely manner.
• Prepare the cash transfer request for HQ whenever needed.
• Maintain banking relations, plan and monitor the country’s cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of ECHO Project
• Monitor cash flow and liquidity of country operations.

Requirements:

• A minimum 5 years of relevant practical experience in financial management of which 3 years should be in a management position.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training
• Proven experience in working with national and international partners, local/government authorities ·
• Working experience with DG ECHO is a must, experience with other donors, like UNHCR, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM highly desirable. ·
• Advanced proficiency in Excel ·
• Full professional proficiency in English ·
• Flexibility to travel to field locations periodically
• Excellent Communication skills in English

Providing equal opportunities
We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
We offer

• Contract length: 4 months (renewable based on performance and funding)
• Band: G1
• Designation of Duty Station: Kampala
• Start date: 01.01.2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.

Application process
Closing date for applications:18.12.2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Department:

Location: Kampala