Deputy Country Finance Director | Addis Ababa

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigor. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Ethiopia and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

Purpose of the Job

function, which focuses on supporting SNV’s operations and development work in the country, in line with SNV’s global guidelines and procedures on a national level. Also leads a project-specific finance team to support the implementation of a project and makes sure the project finance execution, control, and reporting is done efficiently and to the highest quality and in a closely integrated manner with the Programme Manager and technical teams. He/she would work together with the Programme Managers of any projects assigned, to liaise with the donor and answer to any financial queries or concerns, and to ensure accurate, consistent and compliant reporting.

The Deputy Director of Country Finance assists in ensuring the effective and efficient execution, monitoring, and control of all finance-related activities in the country. He/she makes sure the country’s financial data and reporting is compliant to SNV’s corporate financial guidelines and procedures, donor requirements, (inter)national auditing, accounting and reporting regulations as well as compliance with applicable national laws and regulations, including taxes.

• Support and when assigned by Director Country Finance to translate the global finance strategy and policies and procedures into country context, considering national context and (development) plans of the SNV country operations/program. Implements finance strategy, after approval of Country Director and contributes to the development of mid-term country projections and to projects from a financial perspective. Identifies and analyses financial opportunities and threats and informs the Director of Country Finance.

• Supervises and organizes the assigned finance team in the country and manages the finance employees, activities, and all aspects within the assigned finance team, in accordance with the approved plan, budge,t and relevant procedures, to realize the finance objectives of both the donors and SNV.
• He/she will be assigned a specific project and make sure the finance operations are done smoothly. Partners are compliant with requirements, managing risk and reporting on time, and have the capacity they need to operate their assigned projects in compliance with requirements, manage risk ,and generate timely and quality reports.

• Works closely with and supports the budget holder in being compliant to internal- and external procedures and regulations and SNV and donor guidelines regarding the financial administration of country operations and projects. Leads the development, consolidation, forecasting,g and periodical review (incl. (corporate compliance, audits) of the country’s project budgets and funds (grant management). Contributes (challenges and advises) to efficiency improvement and implements measures to minimize the risk of irregularities.

• Ensures all necessary financial accounting activities and checks are executed accurately, completely, and timely (incl. tax requirements, and intercompany reconciliation) and the complete and correct allocation of costs and time. Make sure he/she supports the monthly and yearly closures are done as per set Global deadlines. Ensures all transactions comply with the relevant financial standards and regulations.

• Performs due diligence for new implementation partners, sets up systems and procedures to frame grant management, builds implementation partners’ capacity in grant management, and ensures the monitoring of grant management by implementation partners.

• Ensures the business is facilitated with a financial project planning process and financial control. Monitors progress and challenges the program manager to be in control (timely flags issues to follow up, depletion, cost overrun analyses, and booking, etc.) suggests actions, and provides support to improve financial performance on the project.
• Regularly provides financial reports and analysis to provide insights on the project’s financial status to both internal and external (e.g. donors) parties to safeguard financial performance, and profitability and to estimate financial risks and advises the Director of Country Finance for taking measures. All are in line with donor and SNV financial guidelines.

• When requested by the Director of Country Finance he/she will support to development, review, and refine budgets in proposals within the approved threshold, in line with and compliant with corporate guidelines and donor requirements. Assesses and advises whether funding opportunities (incl. due diligence, and tax) are in line with (government) guidelines and Business Development policies and procedures.
• Guides, develops, coaches, and motivates the in- and external finance employees (such as sub-grant finance) to realize the efficiency of the finance team. Acts as a source of expertise for (project) management.  Ensure all finance employees under his/her supervision have development plans in place.

Educational Qualifications and Work Experience

• (Proficiency level equivalent to) master’s degree in finance, accounting or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in financial management, partner capacity assessments and capacity building and monitoring, financial analysis, internal and external reporting, project proposal budget development and in leading and motivating teams
• Financial professional, with strong knowledge in finance and full understanding of the core finance, business processes, accounting and controlling for projects and at the corporate country level.
• Work independently, within standards supported by the Director Country Finance

Contract Type: National, Full-time

This position will be based on donor funding and approval confirmation.

Expected start date:  March/April 2025

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: Two years with the possibility of extension based on performance.

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on March 7th, 2025.  Please submit your application only via: Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.

If your experience and skills match the position’s requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  

SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit form and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both national and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct“. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer, and female candidates are encouraged to apply.