THE ROLE

The position will report to the Group CFO. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing taxrelated, regulatory and statutory compliance matters including the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) of the Group. The position is in charge of keeping ahead with any tax and regulatory changes that may affect the business and the action plans as well as lobby for favorable policies. In addition, the position will monitor the business activities as well as conducting tax/compliance risk assessments to ensure all taxes are correctly and accurately accounted for and the organization is fully compliant.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Tax related activities

• Oversee and periodically undertake an internal tax health check for various types of taxes.
• Verify computations and reconciliations for various types of taxes and ensure relevant tax returns are filed and payments made as per the various requirements.
• Guide and oversee implementation of all tax related matters, policies and procedures for the Group.
• Work with various departments to ensure their activities are in compliance with tax regulations and requirements and in order to minimize tax risks.
• Keep abreast of any tax, legislation or regulatory changes and advise the management on the implications on the business. In addition, provide mitigation initiatives or tax planning measures that could be implemented by the Group.
• Provide support in reviewing legal contracts or agreements to ensure there is no tax exposure to the Group.
• Periodically review intergroup transactions and advise management of any tax implications and periodically update the Transfer Pricing Policies applicable within the Group
• In charge of handling all tax related audits or queries in liaison with various management teams across the Group ensuring timely resolution of all any tax issues raised by the regulatory authorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with the company’s relationship managers at various tax authorities.
• Working with 3rd party experts, recommend actions and prepare documentation relating to any tax matter that has been escalated to any Arbitrator, Tribunal or Court of law.
• Oversee applications of any tax exemptions for any entity and follow up until such exemptions are received.
• Participate in any Group restructuring activities to provide any tax advice required.
• Develop, implement and periodically review any policies, procedures or manuals relating to tax accounting systems.

Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee and ensure that all regulatory/statutory licenses, approvals, authorizations in relation to the various business activities are received or renewed as required.
• Coordinate the input of internal and external resources in all legal matters where the Company is involved in a court case in the best interests of the Company.

Data Protection

• Assume the role of the Group Data Protection Officer (DPO):
  • Oversee effective implementation and continuous sensitization/training of the various Data Protection policies, laws and regulations and implications of non compliance across the Group (in consultation with other entity’s DPO as may be the case).
  • Advise on any potential implications of non-compliance of the data protection laws based on business activities undertaken across the Group.
  • Co-ordinate with all relevant supervisory and regulatory authorities responsible of the subject matter of data protection.
  • Oversee the preparation of, review and submit required reports to the relevant authorities.
  • Bring to the attention of the Board of Directors any review and changes to this policy.

General

• Undertake training/tax sensitization sessions across various groups of employees in order to build awareness and implications of noncompliance.
• Coordinate tax service/legal service providers and external parties as may be required.
• Provide periodic reports and updates to management as may be required.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Leading and supervising
• Persuading and influencing
• Writing and reporting
• Analyzing complex information
• Planning and organizing
• Relationship building and networking
• Learning, researching and adapting to change

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Legal, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum of at least 10 years’ experience with 5 years in a busy tax environment and out of which at least 2-3 should be in a managerial capacity.
• CA / ACCA/ CPA qualification and relevant memberships.
• Computer literate with strong skills in Microsoft Office especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point.
• Knowledge of Kenyan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda tax laws and regulations.