Finance and HR Coordinator (M/F), for its Research Center in Mbarara (Uganda), 12 months, renewable

Epicentre is an organisation created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986. We conduct field epidemiology, training, and research activities for MSF interventions. Our activities for populations in precarious situations are led from Uganda, Niger, and France, and through the programs of MSF and others. They mainly concern infectious diseases and undernutrition.

The Ugandan Research Center conducts research activities on public health issues relevant to Africa, according to GCPs (Good Clinical Practices) quality standards, in close collaboration with MSF, Mbarara University of Science & Technologies, and other stakeholders in health sector. Current projects, include clinical and vaccinal trials, focus on TB, HIV, central nervous system infections, and yellow fever.

You are looking for a meaningful professional experience ? 

Epicentre is looking for an HR and Finance Coordinator to manage all finance and HR activities in its Mbarara Research center.  

Reporting directly to the center’s Director, this position aims to strengthen good practice in financial management and human resources.   

What you will bring ?

Skills to perform your main activities: 

• You will define and implement Finance and HR strategies and budgets for the center, in line with the overall reporting calendar and guidelines defined by Epicentre in Paris. 

• You will be responsible for the training & coaching all finance and HR staff in the center in all aspects related to Human Resource Management, accountancy, financial management and budgeting, as well as ensuring key executive staff such as coordinators, budget holders & and relevant managers are aware of financial risks and the extent of their financial responsibilities. 

• You will work in close collaboration with HR, Finance teams and the heads of studies to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all budgets and forecasts for the Research center and the projects implementation as well as the proposals and reports submitted to external funding partners and local / national authorities. In addition, you will be responsible for monitoring actual expenses compared with budgets on a regular basis; to analyse variances; to decide corrective actions, if necessary, in discussion with Epicentre teams in Paris. 

• You will define and coordinate the implementation of HR policies in the center in accordance with MSF/Epicentre practices and local regulations. You will check the monthly calculations of salaries and taxes and ensure fair remuneration policies in order to ensure internal equity, competitiveness and legal compliance. You will contribute to the definition and implementation of Epicentre / MSF policies and procedures and good financial, HR and administrative practices. You will also ensure that existing procedures and policies are followed, and the center’s objectives are met, carefully monitoring use of human and material resources.   

Management skills:  You will manage and train your team, develop and maintain close relations with HR and Finance teams based in Paris. You will be expected to have excellent organisational and planning skills, an ability to coordinate activities with ministries, partners and an ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, motivated and competent team. 

Education and Professional experience :

• You have a Master or equivalent in finance, business administration or in HR. You have a substantial knowledge and previous experience in HR and financial management of external funded projects for humanitarian aid and / or medical research. 

• You have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in a similar position with MSF or another NGOs in developing countries and/or in a Research Center. 

• Previous experience in clinical research would be a plus. 

• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. French is a plus. 

• You have a good command of IT applications (e.g.: Excel, Word, Power Point, SharePoint, accounting software, etc.). 

• You have a proven ability to work under pressure, to be flexible and to anticipate deadlines and identify potential risks. You work well in a team and are proactive in proposing new approaches and solutions. 

What you will get ?

• You will work with a multicultural team in the field of epidemiology and clinical research. 

• You will evolve in the humanitarian environment. 

• Your contributions and ideas will be valued and highly appreciated. 

• You will participate in the life of the organization and your responsibilities will evolve over time. 

• Fixed-term contract of 12 months, renewable, with healthcare coverage. 

• Position to start as soon as possible, latest January 2024 . 

• Position based in Mbarara, with travel to Kampala and Paris if needed. 

• Remuneration according to experience and MSF/Epicentre salary grid. 

To apply :

Please send your application (CV + cover letter) no later than 06/12/2023 .

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If sufficient qualified applications have been received before the deadline, the advert may be removed.

At Epicentre, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, whether or not they have a disability, and all other diversity characteristics. 

Epicentre pays very close attention to the protection of the personal data of its members, staff and people wanting to join the association. The data collected during your application will be processed in a fair and high-quality manner, only by the staff in charge of recruitment, wherever in the world they may be working for an MSF entity