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Job Title:  Project Accountant (2 Jobs)

Organisation: ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda)

Duty Station: Karamoja, Uganda

About US:

ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda) is an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) working for social justice and development. ACORD has been working in Uganda since 1979 with operations in over 25 districts across Uganda. The ACORD-U works in conjunction with people who have been denied their basic rights, helping to better understand, to challenge, and to change the situation in which they find themselves.

Job Summary:   The Project Accountant will report to the Project Coordinator (AMS Project) and work in close collaboration with the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda. S/he is responsible to assist the Financial and Administration Manager for timely implementation of WFP – Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) resources in accordance with the ACORD-Uganda financial management manual

The Project Accountant will take responsibility for the routine implementation of the WFP – Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) financial systems inclusive of the budget execution. S/he will work under close supervision of the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda and close collaboration the Project Coordinator (finance officers in the districts of Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) operation.

The key tasks and responsibilities of the role include:

The Project Accountant will support all financial and operational matters within the project, including managing financial systems, generating financial reports, tracking expenses, managing finance and operational issues and supporting project staff in district offices. The Project Accountant will be responsible for preparing periodic finance reports, disbursement requests for the attention of the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial and Accounting

• Regularly keep project memorandum books in support of the financial ledger for project and process accounting documents for authorization and payments
• On daily basis, collate all project financial transaction documents and prepare them for the project authorization process
• Regularly Process approved invoices/requests and raise payments vouchers in consultation with Director – Financial Management & Operations, codify the expenditure and note the correct codes.
• Maintain project expenditure commitment register and update the register in liaison with the Finance and Administration Manager that the register reflects all outstanding commitments
• Maintain an advance payment register and monitor settlement of the advances.
• Maintain the project fixed asset register and regularly update
• In consultation with Finance and Administration Manager and Project Coordinator participate in Preparation and production of the WFP- Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) quarterly, annual plans and budgets.
• Maintain ACORD-Uganda’s Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) financial systems, including, but not limited to: Monthly Office Report (MOR), bank account reconciliations, purchase and expenditure documentation records.
• Collaborate with the Finance and Administration Manager to develop, implement and improve standard financial practices, procedures and forms.
• Prepare accurate accounting and financial reports for submission to Finance and Administration Manager by required deadlines.
• Manage cash flow, including funds transfers from headquarters, local currency exchange, and petty cash.
• Estimate upcoming cash needs and accrue expenditures as appropriate and submit cash request to Finance and Administration Manager for review, endorsement and onward transmission to the development partner (WFP)
• Prepare payment vouchers and ensure that transactions are properly coded and are conducted in compliance with ACORD-Uganda/Donor policies and guidelines.
• Prepare office budgets for submission to Finance and Administration Manager

Monitor budget versus actual variances and provide budget adjustments when needed.

• Prepare and present various financial reports during monthly finance review meeting with the Finance and Administration Manager
• Use appropriate ACORD-Uganda approved accounting and reporting systems to proactively identify problems, and collaborate with the Finance and Administration Manager as appropriate, to determine solutions.
• Advise the Finance and Administration Manager, and others as appropriate on financial procedures, budgeting, planning, monitoring, and reporting expenses for project activities.
• Ensure that advances are reconciled monthly and an aging report is prepared for outstanding advances.
• Establish, implement and maintain appropriate systems of internal controls pertaining to all aspects of the financial operations including, but not limited to: Banking, liquidation of travel advances, insuring project assets (equipment and cash), maintenance of fixed asset registers and performance of annual inventory.

Administration & Operations Management

• Implement administrative and financial operations of the WFP- Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) supported intervention, ensure compliance with agency standards and practices, local laws and donor policy, guidelines and contract provisions.
• Manage funds at local bank account and check expenditures in accordance with ACORD-Uganda and donor procedures, cost principles, and regulations.
• Address other financial and operational issues related to the project as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Finance and Administration Manager.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or finance and professional certification as a certified public accountant, chartered public accountant or similar certification by exam is required.
• At least five years of experience in financial and contracts/grants management, with a minimum of 2 years direct work experience with senior level responsibility for project administration and finance.
• Proven expertise in finance, accounting and auditing, including automated financial systems, as well as results-oriented grants management, including financial planning, monitoring of grant compliance and management and establishment of internal controls.
• Work experience with projects supported by international agencies.
• Experience in the administration of compensation, benefits and Human Resources systems.
• Ability to learn and adapt ACORD’s systems for financial management and work closely with Director- Financial Management & Operations. Demonstrated ability in analyzing financial documents, projections, expenditures, and accruals.
• Language Requirement: Fluency in spoken and written English. Good knowledge of computer applications such as word, excel, power point and statistical applications.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued learning and development on personal level as well as for supervisees;
• Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
• Demonstrates strong numerical and analytical skills;
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and multiple deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound and timely judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and administrative skills;
• Analyzes and select materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation; and

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit their application letters and CVs bearing three references with, full residential and contact details (telephone and e-mail) as well as photocopies of academic documents and national identity card to the following email: hr@acorduganda.org

Applications should be addressed to: The Country Director, ACORD Uganda, P.O Box 280 Kampala-Uganda, Plot 1272, Block 15 Nsambya, Ggaba Road

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within a week of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Deadline: 16th January, 2024 by 5:00pm.

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