Finance & Partnerships Specialist

• Job TitleFinance & Partnerships Specialist
• OrganisationGOAL Uganda
• Reports ToProject Coordinator (dotted line to Financial Controller)
• LocationMbale, Uganda
• Direct ReportsNone
• Experience5 years with an international NGO
• DeadlineWednesday, 28 October 2026

GOAL is an international humanitarian agency established in 1977, working with the most vulnerable communities to respond to and overcome crises and to build resilience and well-being.

First operational in Uganda in 1979, GOAL Uganda focuses on health (including WASH and nutrition) and market-based approaches to agricultural livelihoods. It has over 110 staff, a head office in Kampala and field offices in 7 locations, with donors including the Mastercard Foundation, charity: water, Irish Aid and the Netherlands Embassy.

The Finance & Partnerships Specialist works with the project technical coordinator, M&E, grants and partnership, and finance operations teams on donor reporting, spend analysis, budget development and realignment, and CSO and private sector partner due diligence and onboarding.

The role ensures accurate financial tracking, reporting and compliance with GOAL and donor requirements for the GREEN and charity: water projects.

Proposal Budgets and Grant Management

• Support the Financial Controller and programme staff in preparing grant budgets.
• Revise and amend grant budgets so costs are covered and donor and GOAL formats are applied.
• Provide monthly grant-level financial analysis and advise budget holders on spend variances.
• Represent Finance in project management cycle meetings.
• Review partner financial proposals and budgets for donor and GOAL compliance.

Budget Monitoring and Forecasting

• Review project forecasts for compliance before approval.
• Set up budgets and forecasts in donor reporting formats.
• Track support cost spending and give quarterly analysis.
• Review and consolidate programme spending plans before donor submission.
• Guide budget holders on Budget Monitoring Tools (BMTs).

Partner Finance, Audit and Training

• Generate monthly BMTs and update forecasts.
• Ensure partner and sub-grantee payments match signed agreements.
• Review partner management accounts and ensure spend follows agreed activities.
• Take part in partner due diligence, capacity assessments, kick-off and close-out meetings.
• Lead expenditure verifications and audits as per donor rules.
• Train staff and field offices on budget management and donor regulations.
• Act as finance focal person on the procurement committee.

Essential

• Qualified accountant: CIMA, ACA, ACCA and/or CPA.
• At least 5 years’ professional experience with an international NGO in a similar role.
• At least 3 years in audit or a senior role.
• Experience in budget preparation, budget management and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing donor budgets and reports.
• Experience with private sector sub-grantees.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.

Desirable

• Ability to manage multiple donor projects and deadlines with minimal support.
• Working knowledge of Sage.

Technical Skills

• Grant finance: Donor budgets, BMTs and reports.
• Audit: Expenditure verification.
• Excel: Advanced analysis.
• Sage: Accounting system (desirable).

Soft Skills

• Analysis: Strong conceptual and analytical skills.
• Planning: Working to tight deadlines.
• Training: Building staff and partner capacity.
• Collaboration: Working across teams.

Salary and benefits are not stated in the advert.

• Finance lead on EU and charity: water projects.
• Based in Mbale, Eastern Uganda.
• Work with a respected international NGO.
• Partner finance and audit exposure.
• Strong move in accounting and finance jobs in Uganda.

Apply through GOAL’s online application page for the Finance & Partnerships Specialist by Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Include at least 3 professional referees (current or former line managers) from your last three employers and a daytime contact number. For accommodation requests, email [email protected]. See more NGO jobs in Uganda and jobs in Mbale.

• List at least 3 professional referees who were your line managers, from your last three employers.
• Include a daytime phone number.
• Show donor-funded projects you handled, with budget sizes.
• Name your accounting qualification clearly at the top.
• Mention Sage or other NGO finance systems you have used.