Finance Manager

• PositionFinance Manager
• CompanyZOA Uganda
• LocationKampala, Uganda
• Job TypeFull Time
• CategoryAccounting & Finance, NGO, International Development Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryInternational humanitarian and development work
• DepartmentFinance
• DeadlineTuesday, 24 November 2026, 11:59 PM (Africa/Nairobi)

ZOA is an international relief and recovery organisation supporting people affected by conflict and natural disasters. Its work aims to help communities meet urgent needs and rebuild opportunities for self-reliance.

In Uganda, ZOA works with refugees and host communities in areas including food security, livelihoods, peacebuilding, land rights, water and sanitation, and basic education. The organisation describes operations across West Nile, Acholi, Bunyoro and Karamoja, working with local communities and partners.

The Finance Manager provides leadership for ZOA Uganda’s finance function, supporting financial planning and management, budgeting and forecasting, reliable reporting, compliance and organisational continuity. The postholder guides finance staff through induction, performance monitoring, on-the-job learning and wellbeing, and monitors the quality of financial and administrative operations in field offices. The manager also supports acquisition, purchasing, contract management and tender procedures under ZOA systems.

The position combines team leadership with hands-on financial control and advice to management and budget holders. Work includes donor and government compliance, internal controls, audit coordination, statutory filings, transaction processing, ERP records, month-end accounts, forecasts and proposal budgets. The manager works with field finance colleagues, non-finance staff, budget owners, the Operations team, auditors, tax advisers and bank contacts. Kampala is the duty station, with regular travel to project locations of up to 30 per cent of working time.

In plain terms, this job splits into 5 areas of work. Each list below restates the employer’s duties in shorter words; the advert linked under How To Apply is the final word.

Finance leadership and people

Lead the finance function under ZOA requirements, set direction for its contribution and support staff development, wellbeing and sensitive team management.

• Apply ZOA policies and guidance and ensure the team follows them.
• Explain ZOA’s purpose and how the finance team contributes to it.
• Manage finance staff induction, performance review, workplace learning and wellbeing.
• Coach finance colleagues and provide resources that support stronger skills and results.
• Manage the team with attention to gender and conflict sensitivity.
• Check the standard of financial and office administration in field locations.

Field support and compliance

Support field operations, improve management practice, uphold donor and statutory requirements, and maintain safeguards against misconduct and weak controls.

• Support field and country offices with acquisition, purchasing, contracts and tenders under ZOA systems.
• Hold regular discussions with field finance teams about accounting needs and deliverables.
• Provide financial insight and implement operational improvements while helping management follow donor, local government and ZOA requirements.
• Reduce fraud, bribery and corruption risks, raise concerns and help deliver risk reviews or staff instruction.
• Guide finance and other colleagues on safeguards, and reassess whether these checks remain suitable.
• Handle filings for Uganda Revenue Authority and NGO Board, and liaise with banks, auditors and tax advisers.

Reporting and audit coordination

Coordinate audit work and finance partners, deliver timely management information, review budget balances and support accurate tax and financial reporting.

• Coordinate internal and external audits, arrange audited statements and tax returns, and follow up agreed actions.
• Work with contracted finance teams, budget owners, managers and Operations on finance functions.
• Deliver timely, accurate financial information and share current monthly budget balances with feedback to budget holders.
• Check expense coding and arrange corrections through the budget manager.
• Prepare monthly management reports covering financial statements, budgets, variances, projections, forecasts and cash flow.
• Prepare ad hoc financial scenarios when requested.

Accounting and transaction controls

Maintain dependable accounting systems and transaction controls, oversee core accounts and assets, and complete accurate month-end close procedures.

• Improve accounting, payment and bookkeeping systems, statutory filing and revenue processes.
• Apply generally accepted accounting principles when processing timely, accurate ERP transactions; investigate and correct variances.
• Track financial commitments and unpaid contract balances so payments occur when due.
• Maintain effective, current controls and procedures for processing transactions.
• Manage payroll, taxes, payables, income, expenses, fixed assets, cash, bank matching and allocations.
• Update the ERP asset register with logistics colleagues, and complete month-end reconciliations and schedule updates.

Budgeting and staff capability

Support budget preparation and system updates, share budget performance with budget holders and strengthen financial discipline through periodic training.

• Help budget managers prepare periodic budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare budgets for proposals, revisions and the country-year plan.
• Enter budgets into ERP.
• Provide budget owners each month and quarter with actual-spend comparisons against plans.
• Track budget changes and update approved amounts in ERP.
• Run periodic refreshers to reinforce financial discipline, accountable practice and policy-based management.

Required Education

• University degree in Finance, Business Administration or a related field.

Work Experience

• Five to seven years of proven work experience in a financial management or senior finance position.
• Proven work experience with an international NGO in the humanitarian sector.

Additional Requirements

• A CPA qualification is an added advantage.
• Advanced-user experience with Excel, ERP systems or another financial management information system.
• Good knowledge of procurement and logistics practices.
• Fluent command of English and good communication.
• Experience in general team management.
• Cross-cultural experience in a development setting.
• Support for ZOA’s vision, mission and Christian values is expected.
• Regular field travel to project locations, up to 30 per cent of the time, is required; some flexibility in working hours may be needed, including weekend travel.
• The application instructions request a CV of no more than five pages, at least three employment references from the previous five years, academic documents and a driving permit.

Technical Skills

• Financial management and planning: Lead financial planning and management, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• ERP and financial systems: Use Excel and ERP or other financial management information systems at an advanced-user level.
• Accounting and controls: Manage accounting, transaction processing, reconciliations, month-end close and internal controls.
• Compliance and audit: Support donor, Ugandan government and organisational compliance, statutory filings and internal and external audits.
• Procurement and logistics: Apply knowledge of procurement and logistics practices and support related organisational procedures.

Soft Skills

• Team leadership: Induct, supervise, coach and support the performance and wellbeing of finance staff.
• Communication: Communicate clearly with staff, budget holders, management and external stakeholders in English.
• Analytical thinking: Analyse financial information, identify variances and prepare forecasts and financial scenarios.
• Prioritisation: Work under pressure, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Relationship building: Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Work flexibly in a changing and sometimes insecure environment.

ZOA offers a gross starting salary of UGX 7,717,000 per month and states that it provides good benefits and remuneration suited to the NGO sector.

• Lead finance strategy and support organisational continuity for ZOA Uganda.
• Manage a broad finance function spanning budgets, forecasts, reporting, accounting and ERP controls.
• Guide and develop finance colleagues in Kampala and field offices.
• Work across donor, Ugandan government and organisational compliance requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and follow management actions.
• Support programme teams and budget holders with financial analysis and planning.
• Contribute to humanitarian and recovery programmes serving refugees and host communities in Uganda.
• Receive the stated gross monthly starting salary of UGX 7,717,000 and NGO-sector benefits.

Apply through ZOA Uganda’s recruitment portal at https://cvselection.net/zoa-uganda/7940/. Submit a CV of no more than five pages, at least three references for employment listed within the previous five years, copies of academic documents and a driving permit. Applications close on 24 November 2026 at 23:59 Africa/Nairobi.

• Checked on 12 November 2026 against ZOA Uganda's official advert.
• Closing date confirmed as 24 November 2026. NextRoleHub closes the listing at 23:59 Kampala time that day.
• The application link goes to the employer's own page or email. Applying is free; report anyone who asks for money.
• Before you apply, read our guide: How to find NGO jobs in Uganda. Work out your pay with the take-home pay calculator.