Tax Specialist (Temporary) at Unilever

Main job purpose

Role holder will be required to support the Tax Manager for East Africa to ensure that the businesses comply with  all respective tax regulations as well as Company policy  on Tax matters.

Key Accountabilities

• Own all the tax GLs in the Balance Sheet and ensure all risks are covered
• Continuously perform a review of business transactions and advise on tax efficient ways to minimize tax exposure.
• Review new Tax laws, procedures and regulations and interpret these in view of their implication to the business.
• Ensure that adequate documentation/data is created and maintained for tax planning and audit purposes.
• Support the preparation and adherence to transfer pricing documentation.
• Support on tax audits and defend the company from tax risks raised from tax auditors by justifying the tax laws and explaining transactions from the business perspective.
• Advise the business on Tax risks, including any Tax assessments and provide options to mitigate the risk.
• Collaborate with tax consultants in facilitation of tax due diligence, advisory, and health checks for direct and indirect taxation.
• Maintain strong relationships with business leaders, third party consultants, and government agencies.
• Support the full deployment of Future of Tax (FoT) and interface with third party service providers as part of the model.
• Ensure on time and accurate filing of tax returns.
• Ensure compliance to internal reporting requirements
• Any other tasks that may be assigned as appropriate.

Knowledge & Skill

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting or related field of study
• Excellent knowledge and experience on East Africa tax rules and regulations
• Familiar with tax and certified with relevant accounting (global – IFRS and local accounting principles)
• Ability to build relationships while holding stakeholders accountable  
• Excellent written and oral communication ability
• Strong project management and organisational skills

Experience required

• 3 years minimum relevant working experience in Tax in a busy environment
• Strong tax, accounting, analytical, and research skills
• Experience in managing tax audits
• Ability to make the complex simple
• Ability to manage stakeholders in cross functional roles
• Familiarity with SAP (desired)
• Strong background and experience with audit methodologies and techniques