Finance Officer

ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS

Spark MicroGrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. For nearly ten years, Spark MicroGrants has been pioneering a new approach to international aid. We believe in local solutions and catalyzing rural villages facing poverty into action.

At the heart of Spark’s model, the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), are ‘town-hall’ style meetings, in which women and men plan together for their community’s future. Each village democratically elects a leadership committee, establishes a village savings account, and launches a project of their choice. Members receive training on financial management and transparency, accountable leadership, village planning, and advocacy. Each village receives US$8,000 in seed funds to turn project ideas into reality and receives additional management support. 

Spark is now active in 320+ villages in 6 countries, benefiting over 230,000 lives. In the next three years, we seek to accelerate the growth of this approach, through i) establishing a global Community of Practice based on cutting edge facilitation and training design, and ii) establishing a national scale program in Rwanda - our flagship program - in partnership with the Government of Rwanda. 

Our team of 60+ people is spread across 4 countries in East Africa and the US, sharing a common vision and value system. These are:

1. Facilitators. We don’t impose; we enable others to generate impact.
2. Community-driven. We are motivated by what is best for the community.
3. Process-centered. The how of what we do is just as important as the what.
4. Authentic. Our vision and values live in everything we do.
5. Dynamic. We seek opportunities and are willing to take risks to serve our community partners better.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Finance Officer will play a key role in the monitoring of sustainable community projects. Critical to the role will be tracking and monitoring grant usage in communities as well as ensuring Project activities and payments are done in accordance with Spark policies. We are looking for exceptional candidates with a proven track record at managing field finances and administration of community grants and projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensure successful implementation of project activities, including active participation during community project proposal review

2. In conjunction with program staff, evaluate completed projects ensuring that the whole Microgrant disbursed is fully accounted for.

3. Responsible for day to day entry of financial information and maintaining all financial records for Uganda in accordance with established financial procedures.

4. Complete all month end procedures in line with the reporting deadlines.

5. Prepare monthly Budget Variance reports and share with functional teams as per the reporting calendar.

6. Manage weekly payment cycle; ensuring timely disbursement of payments to staff and vendors in line with expense management procedures.

7. Forecast cash needs for Uganda operations and ensure timely cash flow requests.

8. Conduct regular review meetings with Program staff and Partners to resolve and discuss any financial and accounting issues and queries.

9. Provide Micro Grant management tools and training to Partners and capacity development to manage microgrants at the community level.

10. In conjunction with program staff, evaluate completed projects ensuring that the whole Microgrant disbursed is fully accounted for.

11. Field Assessment for the required finance refresher training.

12. Microgrants Monitoring including review of community information in the monitoring system and tracking microgrant usage  status

13. Plan out timelines for field audit and audit communities’ implementation of projects

14. Support in-country statutory audits

YOUR PROFILE:

Job Requirements/Person Specifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or other related field

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience

• Proficiency in Excel and Accounting software; experience with Oracle Netsuite is an added advantage

• Experience in and understanding of essential accounting principles, accounting systems and Uganda tax requirements

• Experience in handling proposal reviews for grant recipients

• Ability to conduct field audits

WHY WORK WITH US?​​

• You will be joining a dynamic team that hails from ten countries around the world and is committed to our vision

• You will have the freedom and autonomy to make your role your own. We want to hear your innovative ideas, your vision for the future, and your critical questions.

• We respect and value work-life balance and your need for downtime, vacation, and reflection.

• You will join a dynamic and growing organization with a clear pathway to learning and career advancement.

OTHER INFORMATION

Job Location: the candidate will be based in Bulambuli District, with ~50% travel within the communities in Uganda where Spark operates.

Estimated start date:  October 2024

Application closing Date: On a rolling basis, we reserve the right to close this recruitment process at any time.

Safeguarding

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and Rwandan Legislation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.

Be part of a team of diverse professionals who work together to ensure continued growth, success and enjoyment. Test and scale innovative solutions that will lead to growth and achievement of operational strategic goals.