Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, July 10 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Reports To: Managing Director
Department: AMSAF
Tier: 2
Contract Duration: 2 years
Direct Reports to this Position: Finance, Accounting & Admin Team
Assets Controlled: Laptop

AMSAF East Africa Limited is a platform for agricultural aggregation, trading and financing operating in Uganda. AMSAF provides a digital platform food system stakeholders connect with each other and to the resources they need to thrive. Grain Buyers and Grain Sellers, Inputs Suppliers and Farmers, Financial Institutions and Borrowers all transact over the AMSAF platform to improve their capacity utilization, access to suppliers and access to customers.

AMSAF is a joint venture between Star Agri and Asili Agriculture. Star Agri is India’s leading post-harvest management solution provider. Asili is Uganda’s leading agricultural producer and wholesaler. The two partners have joined forces to leverage their technology, competencies and networks to establish the largest regional platform for grain trade and agriculture financing.

The Purpose of the role: The Senior Finance Manager will play a critical role in steering the company's financial strategy and operations. This position entails comprehensive oversight of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to support AMSAF’s growth and stability. The Senior Finance Manager will be responsible for implementing robust financial controls, managing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Part of the core role will be maintaining accurate accounting records and delivering timely and insightful financial reporting. The role also involves providing strategic insights to optimize resource allocation and drive efficiency, enabling AMSAF to effectively support its diverse stakeholders.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Position
1. Financial Planning and Strategy: Developing five-year, annual and seasonal financial plans and strategies to support the company's objectives and long-term growth. This involves forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
2. Financial Reporting and Analysis: Overseeing the preparation of financial statements, reports, and analysis to provide insights into the company's financial performance and trends. This includes ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
3. Risk Management: Identifying and managing financial risks that could impact the company's profitability or stability. This involves assessing agricultural risks (weather, disease, pest and yield), market risks, credit risks, and operational risks, and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
4. Cash Flow Management: Monitor cash flow and liquidity with a focus on managing seasonal variations in income and expenses inherent in agricultural operations, optimizing working capital and capital structure to ensure sufficient funds for day-today operations and strategic investments. This may involve managing working capital, optimizing capital structure, and overseeing investment decisions.
5. Financial Control and Compliance: Establishing and maintaining internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Additionally, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and overseeing audits.
6. Capital Management: Evaluating and managing the company's capital structure, including decisions related to debt and equity financing, dividend policies, and capital allocation. Special consideration industry-specific factors such as land and equipment values, government subsidies, and access to agricultural financing options, to support sustainable growth and profitability.
7. Strategic Financial Decision Making: Advising senior management and the board of directors on strategic financial decisions, such as mergers and acquisitions, investment opportunities, and divestitures.
8. Stakeholder Communication: Communicating financial performance, forecasts, and strategies to stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and regulatory authorities. This involves preparing presentations, participating in meetings, and maintaining transparency.
9. Leadership and Team Management: Providing leadership and direction to the finance team, including hiring and developing talent, setting performance goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
10. Business Partnership: Collaborating with other departments and business units to align financial goals with overall business objectives. This may involve providing financial guidance for strategic initiatives, evaluating the financial impact of operational decisions, and fostering cross-functional teamwork.
11. Contract Management: Oversee negotiation, review, and management of contracts. Ensure favourable terms aligned with financial goals. Collaborate with legal counsel for compliance. Develop processes for streamlined administration and performance monitoring.
12. Tax Planning and Compliance: Develop tax strategies tailored to agriculture, ensuring compliance and optimizing efficiency. Oversee accurate filing of various tax returns and coordinate with external advisors. Stay updated on tax laws, maintain documentation, and handle audits effectively.

Personal Specification for this Role
Essential Criteria:
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in finance and accounting roles, with at least 3 years in a managerial position.
• Certification: Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA).
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of financial and tax regulations and compliance requirements.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in financial and accounting software (desirably QuickBooks Enterprise and other ERPs) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Leadership: Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial management and reporting.

Desirable Criteria:
• Education: Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Sector Experience: Experience in the agricultural or agri-finance sector or digital marketplace platforms.
• Technology Skills: Familiarity with digital platforms and financial technology solutions.
• Project Management: Experience in managing financial projects and initiatives.
• Local Knowledge: Understanding of the financial and regulatory environment in Uganda or East Africa.
• Language Skills: Proficiency in additional languages spoken in the East African region.
• Professional Network: Established professional network within the finance and agricultural sectors in East Africa.

Working Conditions
1. Work Environment: Office-based position with occasional travel to field locations within Uganda and possibly other East African countries.
2. Work Schedule: Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. May require additional hours during financial reporting periods, audits, peak period, special projects or other critical times.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
AMSAF is an equal opportunities employer and seeks to provide equal-opportunity employment to all employees and applicants. AMSAF strongly believes in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within its workforce. At AMSAF, diversity refers to all the ways in which we differ. This includes but is not limited to age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion and nationality. AMSAF encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply to become part of our organization.

Any candidate offered a job with AMSAF will be expected to comply with AMSAF’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behavior protocols.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 84

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

Interested applicants please send your CV and a Cover Letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this role to recruitment@agilis-partners.com  by July 19th, 2024. All applications should include the reference Senior Finance Manager 10.07.2024 in the subject line. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

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