Finance Officer

About Alight

Alight is a humanitarian organization dedicated to empowering displaced individuals by partnering with them in challenging environments globally. Established in Uganda since 1994, Alight supports displaced and host communities across several regions, recently consolidating its operations with Rwanda to ensure aligned, consistent programming.

Role Summary

The Finance Officer is a mid-level position based in Kampala responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations to uphold accurate records, enforce internal controls, and guarantee compliance with statutory and donor requirements. This role supports programme execution by maintaining robust financial systems, budget oversight, and timely delivery of financial data to management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily accounting activities, ensuring accurate transaction recording, monthly reconciliations, and balance sheet schedule preparation.
• Maintain adequate cash balances and process payments with supporting documentation promptly.
• Prepare journal entries and oversee month-end close procedures, fostering continuous financial control improvements.
• Generate timely financial reports monthly, quarterly, and annually for management review and budget monitoring.
• Analyze budget variances, advise corrective measures, assist in budget forecasting and revisions, and support proposal budgeting.
• Enhance financial data entry, system processes, and record management to ensure audit readiness and workflow efficiency.
• Handle monthly payroll processing, prepare payroll reconciliations, coordinate with HR on staff changes, and ensure timely statutory remittance compliance.
• Monitor project expenditures for donor compliance, prepare donor financial reports, assist audits, and educate program staff on compliance obligations.
• Enforce internal financial policies, support audits, mitigate financial risks, and aid in implementing audit recommendations.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure policy adherence, provide financial guidance, and contribute to organizational reporting needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting certification such as CPA (UG), ACCA, CA or equivalent is advantageous.
• At least five years of progressive experience in financial management, preferably within NGOs, INGOs, or donor-funded environments.
• Solid expertise in donor-funded project financial administration and reporting.
• Proficient in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong financial and accounting management capabilities.
• Good grasp of Ugandan statutory tax and compliance requirements.
• Knowledgeable about donor regulations and grant compliance standards.
• Analytical thinker with problem-solving aptitude and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills.
• Leadership potential with an ability to coach and uphold confidentiality.
• Integrity, accountability, and a commitment to ethical practices.

Values Alignment

The ideal candidate is curious, listens actively, engages with humility, and embraces collaborative ownership to foster sustainable outcomes. They champion transformation, adapt to complexity, and value quality, dignity, and meaningful human connections in their work.

Benefits

• Join a diverse global team of 2,500 staff who innovate and pursue continuous improvement.
• Access to extensive free online learning resources for professional development at your own pace.
• Flexible leave options including vacation, personal days, and holidays to support work-life balance.

Additional Information

Alight is committed to equal employment opportunities irrespective of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, adhering strictly to nondiscrimination laws.