Project Officer – Grants

About Catholic Relief Services: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to address needs across the country. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture and value chain, landscape restoration and climate change adaption, health and health systems strengthening, microfinance, and DRR, humanitarian response and recovery. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with other organizations, including the Catholic Church, faith-based organizations, international and Ugandan NGOs, government ministries, private sector companies and academia, for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 180 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Moroto, Yumbe, and Kikuube districts. With our more than 30 partners, we served over 1m Ugandans in 2021.

About Project: The Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA), of which CRS is a member, has secured a 5 year, $ 160m investment for Restore Africa Program which covers 6 Eastern and Southern Africa Countries. In Uganda, the program will be implemented by CRS (as the lead implementing organization), CARE, World Vision, ICRAF, ECOTRUST and Uganda Landcare Network with a goal of restoring 560,000ha of degraded landscapes in the West Afromontane, Mt. Elgon and part of Karamoja. The program will pursue a small holder farmer led approach to restoration supporting profitable agroforestry systems that support profitability and productivity of farms.

Job Summary: You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the Restore Africa financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project life cycle.

Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide feedback/input on grant management procedures to ensure they are designed so that subrecipients are able to manage their grants efficiently and transparently in compliance with donor financial regulations.

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for Restore Africa project subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project accounts in SunSystems financial accounting package.

• Co-ordinate the project’s grants accounting, reporting, compliance and risk management.

• Review sub recipients’ budget and, prepare agreements, modifications and conduct routine compliance reviews.

• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.

• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.

• Monitor subrecipient compliance with the grant rules and regulations and the requirements of their subrecipient agreements through monitoring visits, and other mechanisms applicable to subrecipient monitoring. Recommend actions necessary to resolve issues/concerns.

• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.

• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.

• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist Restore Africa staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.

• Works with finance team and program staff to ensure that key processes and systems are in place to manage grant risk assessments, donor financial compliance, and reporting management processes.

• Provide information to project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities to ensure full compliance with donor requirements. Periodic review of subrecipient internal controls and policies and provide advice on strengthening and best practices and transaction verification through monitoring reports and transaction analysis.

• Perform assigned treasury Restore Africa (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).

• Minimum of two years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.

• Past experience in formulating and implementing finance policies and procedures that strengthen subrecipient internal controls.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies

• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail

• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

• Ability to work collaboratively

Required Languages – English fluency, including excellent oral and written skills, required.

Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 60%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Grants, Finance, Program/project staff

External: Partners/subrecipients, CSOs, Auditors

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff) These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding related topics.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer