BRIGHT Project Finance & Admin Officer

Project: Management Plan Preparation and Restoration of Selected Wetlands in Rift Valley and Awash Basins (BRIGHT)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Duration: One year depending on the continuation of BRIGHT project

Reporting to: Country Sr. Finance and Operation Officer (with a dotted line to the Team Leader)

Job Purpose:

The Project Finance & Admin Officer will be responsible for all financial and administrative matters specific to the BRIGHT project. This includes budget management, financial reporting, procurement, logistics, and ensuring compliance with donor and organizational policies.

Reporting Lines:

This role reports to the Country Senior Finance & Operations Officer with a dotted line to the Team Leader.

Work Relationship:

Internal Context:

Within Wetlands International Eastern Africa, the holder of this position relates with all staff in the organization.

External Context

Local and national authorities, Stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities & Detailed Deliverables

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Manage the project’s day-to-day financial operations, including processing payments, managing bank accounts, and ensuring proper documentation for all transactions.
• Prepare and maintain the project budget, track expenditures against the budget, and provide regular budget variance analysis reports to the Team Leader.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for the donor (WLRC) and for internal Wetlands International reporting, ensuring compliance with all requirements.
• Manage the project’s cash flow, including preparing fund transfer requests.
  Deliverables: Accurate and up-to-date project accounting records. Monthly budget vs. actual (BvA) reports. Timely submission of all donor financial reports required for each payment tranche, including for the Inception Report (due November 2025), Final Management Plan (due February 2026), Mid-term Report (due December 2026), and Final Project Report (due December 2027).

Administration and Logistics:

• Manage all logistical arrangements for the project, including booking travel and accommodation for staff and consultants, and organizing workshops and meetings.
• Oversee the establishment and management of temporary field offices, ensuring they are properly equipped.
• Manage project assets and maintain an up-to-date asset register.
• Handle all administrative tasks, including filing, correspondence, and office supplies management.

Deliverables: Efficiently organized project events (workshops, meetings). A complete and accurate project asset register. Well-maintained administrative and financial filing system.

Procurement and Contract Management:

• Manage all project procurement processes in accordance with Wetlands International and donor procurement policies, including sourcing quotes, preparing purchase orders, and managing vendor relationships.
• Oversee the procurement of field equipment, vehicles, and other necessary supplies.
• Assist in the preparation and management of contracts for staff, consultants, and service providers.
• Deliverables: A compliant procurement tracker and documentation for all purchases. Timely procurement of all required goods and services. Properly executed contracts for all project personnel and vendors.

Compliance and Human Resources Support:

• Ensure all financial and administrative activities comply with Ethiopian law (e.g., tax, labor law), donor regulations, and Wetlands International’s internal policies.
• Support the HR process for project staff, including managing timesheets, leave records, and payroll processing in coordination with the country office.

Deliverable: 100% compliance with all relevant financial and administrative regulations. Accurate and timely payroll and staff benefits administration.

Key Performance Indicators

• Financial Accuracy: Zero material findings in internal and external project audits.
• Timely Reporting: 100% of WLRC financial reports submitted by the internal deadline.
• Budget Management: Monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports produced by the 10th of each month with a variance of less than 10%.
• Procurement Efficiency: 95% of all procurement requests processed within the agreed-upon timeframe.
• Compliance: 100% compliance with WI and WLRC financial regulations and Ethiopian statutory requirements (tax, pensions).

Qualification, Experience & Skills

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certification (e.g., ACCA part-qualified) is a strong advantage.

Relevant Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in finance and administration, preferably with an international NGO.
• Proven experience in managing finances for donor-funded projects (e.g., USAID, EU, World Bank).
• Experience with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Peachtree, SUN, ERP systems).
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, logistics, and administrative management.

Essential Competencies & Skills

• Strong knowledge of financial management principles, budgeting, and accounting standards (including IPSAS).
• High level of integrity and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly MS Excel.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required.

Organizational Core competencies

• Professionalism
• Accountability for results
• Integrity and leadership
• Teamwork
• Relationship building
• Communications
• Organization and self-control