Senior Finance Manager – Forum of Federations

Job Description:

The Forum of Federations is an international organization, based in Canada, working on federal and devolved governance across the globe (see — www.forumfed.org). The Forum has been legally established in Ethiopia since 2008 as an international organization registered under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Forum works very closely with government institutions and non-state actors such as political parties, academics, media professional and business associations, and other civil society organizations.  The Forum has partnered with the recently-formed Multistakeholder Initiative for National Dialogue Ethiopia (MIND-Ethiopia), a consortium of eight national organizations from across the political spectrum that have joined forces to facilitate and lead an inclusive, participatory, nation-wide process of national dialogue to help address the myriad complex crises facing the nation. FOF’s role in this initiative is to support MIND by providing the consortium with project and fund management services and advice.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Finance Manager for this new project, funded by multiple donors, to oversee and manage all aspects of financial management (controls, procurement, cash flow, budgeting, reporting, etc.). The SFM will work day-to-day under supervision of the Project Coordinator, but will be responsible to counterparts in HQ for ensuring proper and efficient execution of all rules and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage daily project accounting and finance functions including timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables.
• Plan and implement systems for financial operations in the project office in accordance with the Forum’s internal financial regulations and procedures, donor agreements or internationally accepted finical standards – including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, financial record-keeping, fund management and compliance;
• Support the procurement of goods and services;
• Train and supervise finance staff in the project office and the partners;
• Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of the project;
• Prepare monthly standard accounting submissions to the Forum, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by cost center/project, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner;
• Prepare monthly management reports including expenditures by cost items and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner;
• Prepare financial reports, for review by Forum HQ, to donors in line with donor requirements and template;
• Assist in developing annual fiscal year budgets.

Employment Type: Full time (1 year with possible extension)

Salary: Competitive remuneration and benefits package

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Post graduate degree in accounting or finance is required.
• A minimum of seven  years of progressive financial management experience is required
• Professional qualification in accountancy such as ACCA or Certified Public Accountant (stage 3 or above);
•  A minimum three years of experience in managing multi-million dollar program(s) in an international organization is required;
• Demonstrated experience and skills with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation, and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong oral and written English skills.