Program Background

The Green Resilient Enterprise for Empowered NTFP Development Project (GREEN Project) is a 28-month initiative implemented under the ReForEst Uganda Programme with funding from Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the European Union. The project seeks to enhance livelihoods, jobs and ecological resilience through sustainable Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) enterprises while contributing to forest conservation, restoration and climate resilience across 16 districts in Eastern Uganda and Napak District in Karamoja. The project focuses on five priority NTFP value chains: bamboo, honey/apiculture, shea, cashew, and wild mango. Through a Green Entrepreneurship Platform (GEP), incubation services, acceleration support, cottage industry, access to finance and market linkages, the project will strengthen 140 enterprises, 50 producer groups and support 10,000 households along these NTFP value chains.

Job summary

The Partnership Officer reports directly to the Finance & Partnership Specialist. The position holder will support the Finance Team in management of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Private Sector partners/Actors (PSAs). The team assists with the approval of partner Proposals, oversight of the use of partner funds and building the capacity of partner organizations to achieve programme objectives. The Partnership Officer will work closely with the Finance Specialist when assessing partners’ operational capacity, developing capacity building plans jointly with the partners, and supporting the partners to achieve programme objectives. Overall, the role will contribute to ensuring partners understanding and use of accountability frameworks including maintaining compliance with donor regulations and requirements.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Essential

• A university degree in BBA–Accounting, BA Finance/Accounting from a recognized institution.
• ACCA/CPA at least level 2.
• Minimum 2-3 years’ INGO experience in a similar role.

Desirable

• Experience in collaborating and working with both private and public sectors.
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong communication, presentation, and training skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proficient computer skills (MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
• Ability to travel up to 70% of time from base

The key responsibilities of the role will be:

• Support the capacity building of partner organization financial systems
• Carry out pre-award financial capacity assessments of new and existing partners
• Conduct visits to all partners and produce reports of all findings in line with GOAL Policies and Procedures.
• Review partner budgets for project applications and ensure they comply with donor rules
• Carry out post award assessment reviews ensuring partners are operating in compliance with donor and GOAL requirements and produce visit reports of all findings.
• Ensure all partner contracts are reviewed by the Finance Specialist prior to being issued and signed
• Monitor and facilitate partner tranche payments to ensure timely payment, including making sure that all required supporting evidence accompanies each payment request.
• Provide overall support to partner grant management
• Ensure all partners’ proposal/budgets are reviewed before forwarding to the Finance Specialist for further reviews
• Review all partners’ finance reports and highlight any issues for the Finance Specialist to follow up
• Ensure final check list is completed for all partners whose grants are ending
• Coordinate the forum for management decisions on partners funding
• Facilitate a routine partner assessment meeting with the Finance Specialist, ensure minutes are taken, accurately, shared and approved.
• Document /share decisions formally to partners (in writing)
• Others
• Ensure timely processing of payment requests for both partners and for remote field office
• Support the payment process for stakeholders if requested to
• Reporting and documentation
• Ensure that a back-up of this information is kept in the office
• Review partner expenditure reports and ensure all transactions are accurately recorded and that expenditure is in compliance with Donor and GOAL rules, and produce reports of all findings
• Ensure partner reports are received in line with contractual deadlines.

General Terms and Conditions

At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants.

• Support the capacity building of partner organization financial systems
• Carry out pre-award financial capacity assessments of new and existing partners
• Conduct visits to all partners and produce reports of all findings in line with GOAL Policies and Procedures.
• Review partner budgets for project applications and ensure they comply with donor rules
• Carry out post award assessment reviews ensuring partners are operating in compliance with donor and GOAL requirements and produce visit reports of all findings.
• Ensure all partner contracts are reviewed by the Finance Specialist prior to being issued and signed
• Monitor and facilitate partner tranche payments to ensure timely payment, including making sure that all required supporting evidence accompanies each payment request.
• Provide overall support to partner grant management
• Ensure all partners’ proposal/budgets are reviewed before forwarding to the Finance Specialist for further reviews
• Review all partners’ finance reports and highlight any issues for the Finance Specialist to follow up
• Ensure final check list is completed for all partners whose grants are ending
• Coordinate the forum for management decisions on partners funding
• Facilitate a routine partner assessment meeting with the Finance Specialist, ensure minutes are taken, accurately, shared and approved.
• Document /share decisions formally to partners (in writing)
• Ensure timely processing of payment requests for both partners and for remote field office
• Support the payment process for stakeholders if requested to
• Ensure that a back-up of this information is kept in the office
• Review partner expenditure reports and ensure all transactions are accurately recorded and that expenditure is in compliance with Donor and GOAL rules, and produce reports of all findings
• Ensure partner reports are received in line with contractual deadlines.

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong communication, presentation, and training skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proficient computer skills (MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

• A university degree in BBA–Accounting, BA Finance/Accounting from a recognized institution.
• ACCA/CPA at least level 2.