Country Finance Director

• Provide strategic financial leadership for the WCS Uganda Country Program, ensuring alignment with WCS global and regional priorities and donor obligations
• Lead annual institutional and project budget development, ensuring realistic forecasting, full cost recovery and regular budget vs. actual monitoring
• Advise the Country Director and Senior Management Team through regular financial analysis and decision-support
• Provide financial management supervision, accountability, monitoring and reporting for WCS programs, implementing partners, subgrantees, collaborating organizations and contractors to mitigate financial risks and losses
• Participate in fundraising, grant proposal writing and pitching to potential donors including private entities, government institutions and individuals
• Ensure all accounting and finance systems (including SAP) are accurate, reliable and fully compliant with WCS policies, GAAP, donor regulations and national legislation
• Maintain strong internal controls, segregation of duties and risk mitigation measures, ensuring compliance with tax, labor, statutory and customs requirements
• Oversee cash flow forecasting, liquidity management and treasury operations, ensuring secure management of funds and timely cash requests to HQ
• Conduct regular financial monitoring for early detection of fraud, waste and abuse, and design timely mitigation and corrective measures
• Serve as liaison with government financial institutions such as Uganda Revenue Authority and the Financial Intelligence Authority on financial risk mitigation and legal compliance
• Provide strategic oversight of grant financial management, ensuring appropriate costing, spending, donor compliance and high-quality financial reporting
• Prepare and guarantee timely, accurate, donor-compliant financial reports, coordinating with Grants, Programs, Regional Finance and HQ
• Lead coordination of internal, external and donor audits, ensuring timely implementation of audit recommendations
• Ensure effective use of SAP and other financial systems, including troubleshooting, user support and maintaining data integrity
• Identify and implement improvements to financial workflows, reporting and analysis to increase efficiency, accuracy and transparency
• Supervise, mentor and support the Finance Manager/Chief Accountant, Grants Manager and broader finance team, investing in staff capacity building
• Represent WCS finance with donors, auditors, government agencies and external stakeholders; conduct financial trainings for WCS staff and partners

Qualifications & Experience:

• Advanced degree in Finance, Financial Management, Business Administration or a related field (e.g., MBA, MSc Finance); professional certification such as CPA, ACCA or CIMA is required
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience, of which at least 5 years must be at a senior management level
• Experience in monitoring large budgets, cash flow management and systems development for a non-profit organization
• Demonstrated evidence of managing personnel on-site and remotely in the finance department
• Experience using an ERP system (SAP) and advanced Excel skills required
• Demonstrated experience working for an international organization with multiple branch offices
• Experience and knowledge of working in a non-profit context in Africa is an advantage
• Demonstrated experience in working with government institutions

Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to work with a diverse team; solution-oriented with strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• English fluency required; French and/or local language a plus
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a complex environment
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to remote field sites (approximately 30-40% travel)
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Wildlife Conservation Society