About Us:

UpEnergy delivers high-impact, emission-reducing projects that accelerate decarbonization and create long-term benefits for local communities. We focus on making life-improving clean technologies available across Africa, impacting millions of lives and significantly reducing CO2 emissions. With a growing team spread across multiple countries, we seek motivated and entrepreneurial talent eager to help us deliver even more impact.

About the role:

UpEnergy is at a time of exciting growth, and rapidly expanding into new geographies and new product categories. The Uganda market is the oldest and largest one among UpEnergy’s operating markets. It also serves as a central hub for a lot of new ideas and pilots to be tested and reinforced, before they are introduced to newer markets. Having been in operations for over 10 years in an international organization that has only been recently expanded, the Uganda team faces some unique operational and cultural challenges.

In light of this dynamic challenge, we seek an Associate Finance Director who is experienced and passionate about growing our team and business via solid strategizing and excellent implementation. This senior member of the team will report to the Country Director and manage an existing small team of a Finance Manager and a junior accountant. In this role you will be expected to make strategic contributions to UpEnergy’s long-term financial well-being. This will be a crucial addition to the country’s senior management team, and the successful candidate should be excited to also support the career development of the other Finance team members.

If you are eager to gain incredibly rich, hands-on experience while being part of one of the fastest growing social enterprises in Africa and believe you’re up for the challenge (as well as a lot of fun!), we’d love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

● Lead all financial planning and analysis for the Uganda country team, including forecasting, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and management accounting
● Set the appropriate financial targets that are in line with organizational goals, especially with carbon finance considerations

● Prepare detailed and timely financial reports monthly, quarterly and annually

● Responsible for overseeing a US$3 million+ annual budget

● Ensure all statutory and legal compliance, preemptive and proactive health check on our tax efficiency and compliance health
● Financial planning, forecasting, analysis, and deriving and taking action based on insights
Analyzing and reporting on financial performance, acting as a business partner to the Country Director and other senior stakeholders, and helping the team make informed decisions

● Support the organization’s long-term financial health and growth

Operations and management

Management & Leadership

● Manage the finance department, supervise and set target for all members under the team

● Act as a positive supporter of the culture that UpEnergy wants to build. An exemplary model for other members of staff in navigating the changes and ever-evolving team dynamic

● Work closely with the Country Director and other senior members of the team to achieve operational excellence and foster a dynamic, collaborative, and fun culture

● Support team growth through coaching, knowledge transfer, and working with the Talent Team in providing the appropriate L&D (learning & development) resources for team members

Internal Control & Compliance

● Ensure compliance with taxation and financial regulations

● Directly corresponds with the Uganda Revenue Authority and/or any related statutory parties

● Oversees all audit and internal control operations , safeguard company assets, reduce resources wastage and leakage

● Manage banking relationships and other treasury functions

● Continuously review and improve process and systems

Financial planning & operations

● Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Finance department and foster excellent collaboration with other stakeholders and departments

● Identify growth opportunities and new revenue channels together with the global finance team

● Manage smooth implementation of cash flow system, account payable and accounts receivable

● Lead cost management e.g. unit economics, cost efficiency, operational efficiency

● Proactively lead risk management, such as identifying and mitigating financial and legal risks

● Align our operational finance with strategic carbon finance objectives

Does this sound like you?

● Minimum 5-7 years of solid experience in financial reporting, analysis, and team management

● Excellent leadership and communication skills

● Ability to balance internal risks/ control / risk management and the value of moving fast/ entrepreneurial spirit/ ability to be creative and take risk (and learn quickly from it!)

● Experience working with the Uganda Revenue Authority and in achieving tax efficiency for an organization

● Exceptional numerical proficiency, strong analytical skills, and strategic thinking

● Proficiency in accounting software

● Bachelor or Master degree in finance, economics, accounting, business administration, or related field

● Accreditations e.g. CPA, CTA, ACCA etc. are highly preferred

● Strategic and analytical mindset to see big picture while also paying attention to detail

● Personal integrity and honesty

● Feels confident and comfortable with uncertainty. We look for someone with the proactiveness in identifying problems and looking for solutions. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission in moving fast towards problem-solving

● Be part of the solution/ lead the process of finding out what the problems really are. We’re in a fast changing environment in which we cannot assume the answer lies somewhere just to be found. We need a team member with entrepreneurial spirit, and someone who is comfortable with enjoying the exploration phase as much as the harvesting-result phase

● Self-driven and ambitious, ability to see the big picture while maintaining solid ground execution

● An eye for detail and the ability to manage multiple functions and projects simultaneously

● Proficient in Google suite and Microsoft Office

● Basic understanding of the carbon finance industry and/or willingness and ability to quickly learn about the carbon market

Why Join Us?
Your Impact, Amplified

Joining UpEnergy means becoming part of a mission-driven team dedicated to making a tangible difference in the world. Our focus is on ensuring that the world's poorest are not left behind in global decarbonization efforts, and that sustainable, life-improving technologies reach those who need them most. As a fast-growing organization, we provide the unique opportunity to work on innovative projects that directly impact millions of lives across Africa. Whether you're on the ground implementing projects or supporting our global expansion, you'll be part of a dynamic team where your work contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and fighting energy poverty. This is more than just a job—it's a chance to create lasting change and be at the forefront of a global movement towards equitable decarbonization.