Senior Financial Officer Kampala (Uganda)

PAX is the largest peace organisation in the Netherlands. For the past 75 years, we have been working with local...

PAX is looking for a new

(36 hours per week)

PAX is looking for a skilled Senior Financial Officer to support the set-up of the Kampala ‘hub’ and the projects implemented by PAX and our partners in Sudan (Sudan programme) and Northern Uganda (DDRR programme). The primary location for this position is Kampala, with regular travel to Gulu. The Senior Financial Officer will report to the Team Lead Africa & Latin America based at PAX headquarters in Utrecht, the Netherlands.  

The position will be on consultancy basis, initially for a period of 3 months for 36 hours per week spread over 5 working days. Tasks will be divided between office work in Kampala (approximately 80%) and visits to field, partners, bank and other government offices (approximately 20%).  

What will you do?

The Senior Financial Officer plays a key role in ensuring effective cash management and that the book-keeping systems are in place. The Senior Financial Officer is responsible for making payments, preparing cash advances and ensuring that transactions are entered accurately and promptly. Additionally, he/she ensures that financial records are structurally maintained. 

See below for a detailed task overview:

1. Finances

  • Handle payments to local partner organizations with agreed allocations to projects; 
  • Make cash payments for activities and deliveries for the Ugandan DDRR programme; 
  • Payments to free-lance staff of PAX in Uganda for the services delivered; 
  • Prepare ‘Withholding tax’ receipts, income tax declaration forms and any other statutory from the staff; 
  • Maintain sufficient cash balance and prepare daily cash count to ensure the balance is accurate 
  • Providing daily cash count report including needs to the operations;
  • Oversee the reconciliation of fixed asset register with physical counts;   
  • Review and maintain all payments to ensure proper and approved documentation is obtained;  
  • Keep track of outstanding advances in order to comply with timeframe for clearances and provide reports to the manager;  
  • Prepare and reconcile the bank and cash flow status on a monthly base;  
  • Keep financial information and maintain all financial records for projects and partner organizations;  
  • Assist in audit of programmes and projects;   
  • Collect bank statements, advises and handle bank transaction like Cash Payment Orders (CPO’s, transfer instruction).

2. Partner support

  • Assist in undertaking financial training for both PAX programme and partners finance staff; 
  • Ensure the accuracy of the partners financial reports and other documentation (vouchers, receipts etc.);  
  • Prepare payment authorisation forms to release instalments to partners;  
  • Translate all partners’ invoices, financial reports etc. into English, when needed;  
  • Check the prices of goods and services included in the partners budgets.  

3. Compliance

  • Ensure overall compliance with PAX financial guidelines and procedures in close coordination with PAX’ Project Controller in HQ;  
  • Ensure the accuracy of the documentation (vouchers and reports) of the daily office financial activity;  
  • Make transfers to partners and book the transactions in PAX’s accounting system, as and when required;  
  • Prepare a payment voucher for each transaction entered in financial system and ensure each PV is properly approved and signed;  
  • Prepare a monthly (or when required) cash count form for all cashboxes. 

4. Other duties

  • Support the PAX Uganda registration and set-up process in Kampala; 
  • Maintain an orderly accounting filing system as per PAX standards;  
  • Facilitate partners, project and institutional audits;  
  • Participate in budgeting and financial quality assurance of internal documents when required;  
  • To fulfil other tasks that may be assigned to him/her by the Management team and/or head office.  

Who are we looking for?

  • Eligible to work in Uganda;
  • Bachelor’s degree in finance or economics;  
  • Minimum 4 years of financial experience;  
  • Knowledge of Ugandan labour laws and taxes; 
  • Knowledge of general accounting principles and fundamentals of accounting;  
  • Knowledge about donor’s reporting, audit and financial procedures. 

What do we require?

  • Knowledge of basic auditing is required;  
  • Proven ability to work as an effective team member;   
  • Ability and willingness to travel to project areas;  
  • Good communication skills;  
  • Computer skills: knowledge of Excel, accounting software and presentation programmes. 

What do we offer?

  • A position based in Kampala in a dynamic and highly international working environment with committed and enthusiastic colleagues;
  • Regular travel to Gulu;
  • Appointment for 36 hours (1 fte) per week;
  • Contract on consultancy basis, initially for up to 3 months;
  • Appointment starting as soon as possible, but December at the latest;
  • Gross wage of max. € 2.000 – 2.300 per month (depending on experience).

Procedure and information

For more information about PAX see: www.paxvoorvrede.nl.

Do you have any questions? You can contact Laureline Monnier, Team Lead Africa & Latin America, via l.monnier@paxforpeace.nl for further information. Please note that Laureline is currently on leave and can be contacted after 28 October 2024.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least two previous professional references, addressed to Laureline Monnier solely by using the following application form.

The closing date for applications to this position is 5 November 2024.

The first round of interviews will be scheduled for the week of 5 November 2024 or the week after.

At PAX we are looking for motivated colleagues with passion and courage, to build a diverse, inclusive and authentic working environment together. Even if you do not tick all the boxes, we still encourage you to apply, because who knows, we might be a good match together!


Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

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