Vacancy title:
National Financial Accountant

Jobs at:
Ministry of Water and Environment

Deadline of this Job:
not later than 5.00pm Friday 21st April, 2017.

Duty Station:
Kampala, Uganda

Job details:
Background
The Governments of the Republic of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program_(NELSAP) of the Nile Basin initiative (NBI) that covers the countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, have received financial support from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Environmental Facility(GEF) for the implementation of the Multinational Lakes Edward and Albert integrated Fisheries & Water Resources Management Project, commonly referred to as LEAF-ll. The project will be implemented both at regional level by NELSAP Coordination Unit based in Kigali, Rwanda, and at the national level in Uganda by the Ministry of Water and Environment, the NBI National Focal Point Ministry, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal , industry and Fisheries, Local Governments, other relevant institutions, and the private sector.

The Ministry of Water and Environment therefore wishes to recruit a National Financial Accountant, to be based in For Portal, Uganda, for the LEAF II Project.

Job Description and Person Specification for the position of National Financial Accountant

Job Title: National Financial Accountant
Reports to: National Project Coordinator

Job Purpose
Responsible for assisting the Program Coordination Unit in implementation and arrangement of financial management issues in line with Governments Treasury Accounting instructions 2003 issued under the Public Finance and Accountability Act 2003, and the African Development Bank (ADB) guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities
Develop Financial plans and budgets in line with the project objectives, specifically;

• Participate in/facilitate the development of the ‘assumptions that drive the budgetary process.
• Gather detailed information relating to planned project activities for the defined period, from the respective project functions/sections such as procurement, M&E.
• Cost the activities based on historical trends and future assumptions.
• Compile the overall plan and generate projected financial requirements.
• Present draft budget numbers, assumptions, activities to stakeholders for buy in and approval.
• Support the implementation and monitor implementation versus budget and flag variances for action.
• Enforce compliance with the budgeting process and execution.

Oversee the disbursement of funds /payment process through the following activities;

•  Vet and advise the accounting officer on fund requisitions as per project implementation plans.
• Assist Project Coordination Unit in provision of funds and facilitate in procurement process for implementation of approved plans, and ensure timely provision of funds for program activities.

Monitor and track financial expenditure] transactions through;

• Maintenance of records of financial transaction in accordance with the approved financial manual, and proper management of these records including accuracy, reliability, completeness, and storage and retrieval process.
• Update of records of financial transactions in accounting system.
• Preparation of monthly bank reconciliation statements for the project including receipts and expenditure reports, variance analysis, and advice management on the same.
• Preparation of financial statements and other relevant ledgers for internal and external audits.

Ensure adherence to policies/processes, specifically;

• Compliance with Financial Management Manual (FMM) in the ministry as provided for by the Government's Treasury Accounting instructions 2003, issued under the Public Finance Management Act 2015 and African Development Bank Financial Policies and guidelines.
• Ensuring that all payments made for project activities are in compliance with the Financing Agreement Policies and guidelines.

Report on the project's financial performance through;

• Preparation of weekly, monthly and annual financial reports detailing the financial performance of the project, as well as specific reports for the various project stakeholders such as ADB and all the ministry implementing departments.
• Preparation of monthly expenditure reports v s planned activities as per plan, highlighting any variances to the relevant stakeholders for action.
• Generation of an end of assignment report within two weeks after completion of the activities in the work-plan, or completion of the contract, whichever comes first.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or its equivalent.
• Qualified member with at least level II professional qualifications such as ACCA, ClMA, CFA, CPA, etc. isa must.
• A Masters degree in the relevant field will be an added advantage.
• 3-5 years ot post-qualification experience.
• Experience in donor funded projects within the Government setting.
• Experience using Government financial systems, the Integrated Financial Management System or its equivalent will be an added advantage.

Essential skills and Requirements

• Strong analytical and strategic skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Sets high personal standards and is goal oriented
• Strong coaching and leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
•  High level of ethics and integrity
• innovative and proactive, enjoys making things happen, does not wait for them to happen
• High level of inter-personal, decision
• making and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with teams to achieve objectives.
• Computer knowledge, with knowledge in all packages is must. Duration of the Assignment

Twenty (24) months contract will be awarded to the successful candidate, commencing immediately on appointment. Possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.

Job application procedure
All applications must be accompanied with recent CVs detailing work experience, present position, current remuneration, professional and educational qualifications. Applicants must also include contact details (telephone and email) of three (3) referees.

Applications should be physically delivered to the address below not later than 5.00pm Friday 21st April, 2017.
The Permanent Secretary, ‘Ministry of Water and Environment,
Old Portbell Road, Luzira.
Attn: Head Human Resource Management.