Rikolto is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to creating a sustainable income for farmers and ensuring nutritious, affordable food for everyone. Formerly known as Vredeseilanden/VECO, the organization has over 50 years of experience working with smallholder farmer organizations and food chain stakeholders across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

JOB PURPOSE

The Finance Analyst will:

• Ensure sound financial planning, analysis, and reporting across Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
• Safeguard the accuracy and consistency of financial information across countries.
• Guarantee compliance with applicable accounting standards and donor requirements.
• Deliver high-quality financial reports for management and partners.
• Supervise and build the capacity of country finance teams to strengthen financial management systems.

Reports to: Regional Finance Manager

Duty Station: Arusha, Tanzania, with occasional travel to Uganda and Rwanda

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Prepare, monitor, and consolidate budgets at regional, country, donor, project, and activity levels.
• Conduct variance analysis, financial forecasting, and performance reporting to support management decision-making.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the linkage between the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement.
• Prepare and adapt regional and country reports according to various donor templates and internal requirements.
• Support management with scenario analysis, financial modelling, and strategic forecasting.
• Ensure all draft transactions are properly reviewed before posting to the accounting software.
• Ensure regional consolidated financial reports are accurate, consistent, and submitted within deadlines.

Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise Finance Officers, 2 in Tanzania and 1 in Uganda and provide technical guidance.
• Review country financial reports and transactions, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Identify knowledge or skill gaps within the regional finance team and report them to the Regional Finance Manager with proposed capacity-building actions.
• Conduct coaching, mentoring and training sessions to strengthen analytical and reporting competencies.
• Promote harmonization and consistency of financial practices and policies across country offices.

Compliance and Control

• Review draft accounting transactions and ensure proper analytical coding before posting.
• Approve expenditures and validate supporting documents according to internal and donor policies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards:
  • Tanzania: IPAS for non-profit organizations
  • Uganda: IFRS for SMEs applicable to non-profit entities
  • Rwanda: IFRS for private and non-profit organizations
• Support internal and external audits and follow up on implementation of audit recommendations.
• Promote harmonization and consistency of financial practices and policies across all country offices

Data Management and Automation

• Design and maintain an efficient analytical coding structure (donor, project, activity, cost center).
• Leverage advanced Excel tools (Power Query, Power Pivot, Pivot Tables, Data Validation, Basic VBA) for automation and reporting.
• Consolidate, analyze, and present regional financial data using BI or data visualization tools.
• Support integration and harmonization of accounting systems (e.g., Exact Globe Next or similar ERP platforms supporting extended multi-level analytical codes).
• Promote harmonization and consistency of financial practices and policies across all countries offices

Process Improvement

• Strengthen internal control systems, ensuring proper segregation of duties and workflow efficiency.
• Recommend and implement improvements to financial processes, reporting systems, and data accuracy.
• Contribute to standardizing regional financial procedures and reporting templates.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• No errors are recorded in the analytical coding or cost allocation structure across countries (Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda), donors, projects, and activities.
• Regional consolidated financial reports are accurate, consistent, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Finance Officers in Tanzania and Uganda are effectively supervised and continuously capacitated.
• All draft transactions are properly reviewed before posting to the accounting software.
• Monthly budget monitoring reports are prepared and shared with programme managers on time.
• Variances between budgets and actuals are clearly explained and documented.
• Donor reports are prepared in compliance with varying formats and templates while maintaining data integrity.
• Country compliance is maintained with applicable standards: IPAS (Tanzania), IFRS for SMEs (Uganda), and IFRS (Rwanda).
• Regional finance processes and analytical tools are continuously improved and automated for efficiency.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is a must, master’s degree in accounting, finance, Business Administration is an added advantage
• CPA, ACCA, CMA, CIMA, or an equivalent accounting/chartered certification is a must.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial analysis, planning, and reporting – ideally in an international NGO or regional environment.
• Proven experience with multi-donor, multi-country financial reporting and analysis, External Audit Readiness & Focal Point (Serve as the main contact and coordinator for external audit activities, ensuring the organization is fully prepared and compliant).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Deep understanding of the interrelationship among Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement.
• Strong grasp of IPAS, IFRS for SMEs, and IFRS standards as applicable in the three countries.
• Advanced Excel skills (Power Query, Power Pivot, VBA, Pivot Tables, Data Validation).
• Strong financial modelling and analytical abilities.
• Experience with ERP accounting software (Exact, Navision, or similar).
• Knowledge of donor financial procedures (EU, USAID, IFAD, DGD, World Bank, etc.).

BEHAVIOURAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Proven leadership with capacity-building and mentoring abilities.
• High analytical capacity and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Integrity, discretion, and commitment to deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and within multicultural environments

PERCEPTION

• Strong analytical mindset with sound intuition for interpreting financial trends and patterns

CHARACTER TRAITS

• Dynamism, emotional stability, diplomacy, rigour, team spirit, tact, and high sense of responsibility and confidentiality.

JOB CHALLENGES

• Working across multiple countries with different accounting frameworks and regulations.
• Managing strict deadlines for donor and management reporting.
• Frequent regional coordination and occasional travel between countries.

Mode of Application
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications, including:

• A cover letter highlighting their qualifications for the position.
• A detailed CV with three recent referees.
• Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.

Applications should be sent to:
eastafrica.recruitment@rikolto.org