About Alight

ALIGHT works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to refugees, displaced people, and host communities – to better survive conflicts and crises, and to rebuild ...

About This Opportunity

The position of Finance Manager (National Staff) at Alight located in Kigali, Rwanda offers an opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute their knowledge and experience in a dynamic working environment. The organization seeks individuals who are motivated, reliable, and capable of performing their duties effectively while maintaining professional standards.

COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:

Alight Rwanda, formerly known as the American Refugee Committee, has been a key player in delivering impactful humanitarian programs since 1994. Operating in all five refugee camps in Rwanda, Alight provides integrated services in protection, health, livelihoods, and community development. The organization has pioneered initiatives like the SASA! methodology to promote gender equality, reduce GBV, and empower vulnerable populations. By fostering resilience and innovation, Alight Rwanda continues to make meaningful and sustainable contributions to refugee and host communities.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Finance Manager is tasked with leading and overseeing the financial management and operations of Alight Rwanda, ensuring sound financial planning, budgeting, compliance, and stewardship of organizational resources. The position provides leadership in treasury management, grant financial management, payroll oversight, financial reporting, internal controls, internal & external audit coordination, and ensures statutory compliance in accordance with Alight policies, donor regulations, and the applicable laws of Rwanda.

The Finance Manager oversees the preparation and monitoring of organizational and project cash flow management, financial forecasting, accounts balance reconciliations, and timely preparation of accurate financial and donor reports. The role ensures the integrity of financial records, strengthens internal control systems, and supports effective financial decision-making across the organization.

The Finance Manager provides technical guidance, training, and mentoring to finance staff and supports field offices by promoting compliance with financial policies, procedures, and accounting standards. Working closely with the Finance Controller, the Finance Manager ensures effective financial management of donor-funded programs, organizes internal and external audits, ensures compliance with statutory and donor requirements, and contributes to the achievement of Alight Rwanda's strategic and operational objectives.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Treasury Control and Verification

• Plan and organize the cash requirements for the Alight Rwanda program.
• Supervise the processing of bank and cash transactions.
• Monitor cash balances in the Kigali bank accounts.
• Transfer funds between bank accounts as required.
• Prepare and process cash withdrawals to meet the operational cash needs of the Kigali office and field locations.
• Liaise with banking institutions to resolve issues and facilitate efficient banking services.
• Evaluate and approve the financial aspects of bid analyses up to USD 1,000.
• Produce designated balance sheet reconciliations in BlackLine in a timely manner.
• Ensure that any discrepancies or reconciling differences are promptly reported to the Finance Controller (FC) and that appropriate corrective actions are taken.
• Produce monthly and ad hoc financial reports as required.

Grant Management

• Evaluate and approve the financial aspects of requisitions up to USD 1,000.
• Assist in effective financial management of donor-funded grants by ensuring compliance with Alight and donor financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure monthly financial information is received from all field offices on time for posting to the General Ledger.
• Evaluate Field Office Training and assist with cash and bank reconciliations for field office-managed accounts.
• Perform spot checks of supporting documentation, voucher references, and filing systems.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for field office finance staff regarding financial policies, procedures, and accounting matters.
• Perform regular field visits to deliver training and mentoring on Alight financial policies, accounting procedures, and compliance requirements, while supporting Site Managers and program staff on finance-related issues.
• Evaluate financial data submitted by field offices to detect weaknesses, risks, or recurring issues, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• In collaboration with the Finance Controller, create, revise, and execute finance policies and procedures.

Donor Reporting

• Produce draft donor financial reports for evaluation by the Finance Controller.
• Ensure donor financial reports are prepared in compliance with donor agreements, organizational policies, and reporting deadlines.
• Collaborate with program teams to verify the accuracy and completeness of financial data included in donor reports.
• Reconcile donor expenditures with approved budgets and supporting documentation prior to report submission.
• Detect procedural gaps or training needs that will enhance the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of donor financial reporting.

Internal Audit

• Assist and organize internal audit activities.
• Evaluate internal controls and track compliance with Alight financial policies and established procedures.
• Evaluate audit reports highlighting key findings, risks, and recommendations for strengthening internal controls and financial processes.
• Organize and assist internal and external audits, promptly escalating significant issues to the Finance Controller.
• Assist with or evaluate physical inventory counts and ensure the proper valuation and accounting of inventory and other assets.

Payroll

• Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the national payroll process.
• Ensure payroll reports are completed accurately and salary payments are processed on time before the end of the month.
• Verify that the HR Manager has reviewed and approved the timesheet submission list before salary transfers are made to employees' bank accounts.
• Produce all payroll-related accounting entries, including salary allocations, tax withholdings, and statutory deductions.
• Ensure all applicable Rwandan taxes, statutory contributions, and other payroll obligations are accurately calculated and remitted by Alight.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities to ensure compliance with national tax, labor, and statutory regulations.
• Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of monthly payroll information, including salary advances, deductions, benefits, and other adjustments, before submission to the Finance Controller.
• Evaluate and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the payroll computation before uploading into the ERP by the HR Manager.

File Management

• Assess the effectiveness of the finance documents E-filing system to ensure secure document management.
• Verify that all financial documentation is correctly referenced before E-filing.
• Ensure the approved filing system is consistently understood and followed by all finance staff to prevent loss or misplacement of documents.

Other Responsibilities

• Keep strict confidentiality of all financial and organizational information.
• In the absence of the Finance Controller, oversee the day-to-day financial operations of Alight Rwanda & Uganda, under the guidance of the Executive Director.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Finance Controller or the Executive Director.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience working with financial accounting systems, preferably in Sylogist, Sun Systems, Accpac, Serge, Quickbooks, etc…
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Management experience skills in leading a team.
• Excellent Microsoft Application package skills.
• Excellent organization skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick deadlines.
• Strong coordination and leadership skills with proven ability to work across multiple technical areas simultaneously, supporting multiple staff members.
• Capacity to think ahead and highlight areas of risk and concern.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills and report writing skills.
• Experience creating monthly financial reports and spending projections.
• Excellent multi-level communication skills.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:

• Quick understanding of new techniques, highly flexible and excellent ability to adapt to new environments.
• Pro-active attitude to improving systems.
• Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also works independently.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Analytical and strategic thinking and results orientation / commitment to excellence.
• Ability to think creatively to overcome challenges.
• Capacity to think ahead and highlight areas of risk and concern.
• Solid communicator with the ability to share knowledge on their work, as well as seek continuous improvement.
• Self-management and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to keep confidentiality.
• Appropriate and transparent decision-making.
• Ability and willingness to travel to isolated, low-resource areas in Rwanda.

• Plan and organize the cash requirements for the Alight Rwanda program.
• Supervise the processing of bank and cash transactions.
• Monitor cash balances in the Kigali bank accounts.
• Transfer funds between bank accounts as required.
• Prepare and process cash withdrawals to meet the operational cash needs of the Kigali office and field locations.
• Liaise with banking institutions to resolve issues and facilitate efficient banking services.
• Evaluate and approve the financial aspects of bid analyses up to USD 1,000.
• Produce designated balance sheet reconciliations in BlackLine in a timely manner.
• Ensure that any discrepancies or reconciling differences are promptly reported to the Finance Controller (FC) and that appropriate corrective actions are taken.
• Produce monthly and ad hoc financial reports as required.
• Evaluate and approve the financial aspects of requisitions up to USD 1,000.
• Assist in effective financial management of donor-funded grants by ensuring compliance with Alight and donor financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure monthly financial information is received from all field offices on time for posting to the General Ledger.
• Evaluate Field Office Training and assist with cash and bank reconciliations for field office-managed accounts.
• Perform spot checks of supporting documentation, voucher references, and filing systems.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for field office finance staff regarding financial policies, procedures, and accounting matters.
• Perform regular field visits to deliver training and mentoring on Alight financial policies, accounting procedures, and compliance requirements, while supporting Site Managers and program staff on finance-related issues.
• Evaluate financial data submitted by field offices to detect weaknesses, risks, or recurring issues, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• In collaboration with the Finance Controller, create, revise, and execute finance policies and procedures.
• Produce draft donor financial reports for evaluation by the Finance Controller.
• Ensure donor financial reports are prepared in compliance with donor agreements, organizational policies, and reporting deadlines.
• Collaborate with program teams to verify the accuracy and completeness of financial data included in donor reports.
• Reconcile donor expenditures with approved budgets and supporting documentation prior to report submission.
• Detect procedural gaps or training needs that will enhance the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of donor financial reporting.
• Assist and organize internal audit activities.
• Evaluate internal controls and track compliance with Alight financial policies and established procedures.
• Evaluate audit reports highlighting key findings, risks, and recommendations for strengthening internal controls and financial processes.
• Organize and assist internal and external audits, promptly escalating significant issues to the Finance Controller.
• Assist with or evaluate physical inventory counts and ensure the proper valuation and accounting of inventory and other assets.
• Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the national payroll process.
• Ensure payroll reports are completed accurately and salary payments are processed on time before the end of the month.
• Verify that the HR Manager has reviewed and approved the timesheet submission list before salary transfers are made to employees' bank accounts.
• Produce all payroll-related accounting entries, including salary allocations, tax withholdings, and statutory deductions.
• Ensure all applicable Rwandan taxes, statutory contributions, and other payroll obligations are accurately calculated and remitted by Alight.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities to ensure compliance with national tax, labor, and statutory regulations.
• Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of monthly payroll information, including salary advances, deductions, benefits, and other adjustments, before submission to the Finance Controller.
• Evaluate and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the payroll computation before uploading into the ERP by the HR Manager.
• Assess the effectiveness of the finance documents E-filing system to ensure secure document management.
• Verify that all financial documentation is correctly referenced before E-filing.
• Ensure the approved filing system is consistently understood and followed by all finance staff to prevent loss or misplacement of documents.
• Keep strict confidentiality of all financial and organizational information.
• In the absence of the Finance Controller, oversee the day-to-day financial operations of Alight Rwanda & Uganda, under the guidance of the Executive Director.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Finance Controller or the Executive Director.

• Communication
• Leadership
• Management
• Excel
• Accounting
• Financial reporting
• Audit
• Tax
• Budgeting
• Planning
• Report writing
• Training
• Administration
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda
• Management experience skills in leading a team
• Excellent Microsoft Application package skills
• Excellent organization skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick deadlines
• Strong coordination and leadership skills with proven ability to work across multiple technical areas simultaneously, supporting multiple staff members
• Capacity to think ahead and highlight areas of risk and concern
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills and report writing skills
• Experience creating monthly financial reports and spending projections
• Excellent multi-level communication skills
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda
• Quick understanding of new techniques
• Highly flexible
• Excellent ability to adapt to new environment
• Pro-active attitude to improving systems
• Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also works independently
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Analytical and strategic thinking
• Results orientation / commitment to excellence
• Ability to think creatively to overcome challenges
• Solid communicator with ability to share knowledge on their work, as well as seek continuous improvement
• Self-management and emotional intelligence
• Ability to keep confidentiality
• Appropriate and transparent decision making
• Ability and willingness to travel to isolated, low-resource areas in Rwanda

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience working with financial accounting systems, preferably in Sylogist, Sun Systems, Accpac, Serge, Quickbooks, etc…
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Management experience skills in leading a team.
• Excellent Microsoft Application package skills.
• Excellent organization skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick deadlines.
• Strong coordination and leadership skills with proven ability to work across multiple technical areas simultaneously, supporting multiple staff members.
• Capacity to think ahead and highlight areas of risk and concern.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills and report writing skills.
• Experience creating monthly financial reports and spending projections.
• Excellent multi-level communication skills.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.