JOB DETAILS:

This is a unique leadership role for a grounded operator who thrives on cross-functional management and is ready to lead a mission-driven organisation into its next chapter of stability and growth. The General Manager will take full ownership of Cycle Connect’s Uganda operations, including team leadership, P&L management, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement.

We’re seeking someone who is hands-on, financially astute, values-driven, and deeply motivated by rural impact.

Key Responsibilities
1. Organisational Leadership

• Lead the execution of Cycle Connect's strategic plan to expand its reach to smallholder farmers, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and values.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to set and monitor key performance indicators across financial, operational, and impact metrics.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all departments.

2. Financial Management

• Manage the organizational P&L, budget, and internal financial reporting.
• Strengthen financial controls and cash flow planning Improve credit performance and asset utilisation through proactive loan and product portfolio management.
• Support fundraising efforts and manage debt servicing in coordination with relevant partners

3. Operational Excellence

• Oversee credit, logistics, customer service, and field operations.
• Strengthen internal systems and ensure smooth last-mile delivery.
• Lead the team in the management of loan portfolio performance- including monitoring of asset quality, delinquency trends, and risk metrics.

4. Team Management

• Lead and support a 40-person team across multiple locations.
• Build leadership capacity, manage performance, and strengthen organisational culture.
• Foster resilience and cohesion following prior leadership transitions.

5. External Relations

• Manage relationships with donors, debt partners, vendors, and government stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing funders by leveraging impact data that demonstrates the livelihood improvements achieved through Cycle Connect's last-mile approach.
• Ensure that impact data accurately reflects the organisation's contributions to financial inclusion and income growth among smallholder farmers.

Candidate Profile
Must-Have Experience

• Proven general management or departmental leadership experience, ideally with cross-functional oversight.
• Experience managing a business unit or regional P&L with financial accountability.
• Strong operational acumen and ability to align strategy with execution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and retain teams through change.
• Willingness to spend significant time in Gulu, and comfort working in off-grid or rural environments.
• Strong financial literacy, including budgeting, financial reporting, and familiarity with debt financing.
• Ability to self-direct and lead autonomously with limited oversight.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Exposure to asset financing, credit, or rural financial services.
• Background in agriculture, distribution, or social enterprise.
• Experience managing external partnerships or raising funds.

What Success Looks Like

• Stable, high-performing operations with strong customer repayment and service delivery.
• Clear financial oversight and progress toward breakeven goals.
• A cohesive, motivated team.
• Modest expansion of high-impact product offerings and rural reach.