Finance Officer

Organization Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. 

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala and Kiryandongo settlement. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development – bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in the districts of Kitgum, Lamwo, Arua, Yumbe, Kyegegwa, Kiryandongo, Kyaka  and Kampala including 7 districts in Karamoja region.

Job Overview

Under the direction of the Finance Manager, the Finance Officer is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions are performed in accordance with IRC’s policies and procedures, and in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  

Duties and Responsibilities

•Acting at all times in accordance with the country law and standards of accounting practices.
•Contribute to the overall objective of the Finance department of providing quality support service to all sectors.
•Manage all aspects of day to day operations of the accounting department.
•Assist in implementation of finance policies, procedures and systems at the field office.
•Provide training to program staff on IRC finance matters.
•Review payment vouchers, ensuring completeness of the documentation and consistency with IRC policies and procedures.
•Monthly compilation of WHT and submit to Kampala with supporting Documents by 3rd of the following month.
•Liaison with the bank on all banking issues and carrying out monthly bank reconciliation.
•Complete end-of-month tasks in a timely manner, with minimal to no errors.
•Consolidate monthly cash projections in a timely manner for Finance Manager to review.
•Carry out monthly reconciliation of program advances and charges related to staff personal accounts (D7) and advise the supervisor on course taken to settle outstanding balances. 
•Creation of Payment Invoice Journals and Payment Journals in the Organizations Enterprise Resource Planning.
•Review payment vouchers, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the documentation and consistency with IRC policies and procedures.
•Participate as gatekeeper in ensuring that all transactions are in accordance with IRC financial policies and grant agreements.
•Provide support to both external and internal audit processes that are undertake at the field office.
•Participate and provide technical support in grant opening and closing meetings

Budgets

•Review monthly Budget vs Actual (BvAs) and prepare any adjustments required for Finance manager to review.
•Provide insight of projected Budget vs Actual report based on field office generated information and provide the same to the Field Coordinator ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
•Working with Finance Manager to assist program staff to prepare grant budgets to support new proposals or realignments also ensuring adequate coverage of field operating cost.
•Attend Grant Opening, BvA review and Closing Meetings when nominated to do so and prepare monthly BvA minutes for review by finance Manager.
•Assist Finance Manager to ensure that all accruals at grant closure are accurate, valid and are promptly liquidated

Cash/Bank Management

•Support the Finance Assistant in processing of bank, Mobile Money and cash transactions. 
•Prepare weekly cash count and ensure that documentary evidence is duly signed by yourself and Field Coordinator.
•Preparation of cash forecasts  for  submission to Country Office for release of funds every 25th.
•Monitoring cash usage and requirements and inform the Finance Manager or Field Coordinator of possible unusual activity or requirements.
•Working with field and program coordinators to help them develop more accurate cash forecasts.
•Support the process of preparation of the cash and bank accounting worksheet. 

Administration

•Mentoring and supervising the work of Finance Assistant.
•Assisting Finance Assistant with coming up with activity plan (Daily, weekly, Monthly, Quarterly)
•Carrying out performance appraisal of Finance Assistant.
•Providing weekly activity report to Finance Manager.