Finance & Administration Manager, Food for Progress Ethiopia

Job Description

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise to increase global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

What You’ll Do

RTI is seeking Finance and Administration Manager candidates for a 5-year U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia. This Food for Progress program will use a market driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businesses by addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors. The program will focus on four broad activities that increase Ethiopian sunflower productivity, competitiveness and value addition while reducing trade barriers for U.S. agribusiness. This includes building the capacity of pluralistic extension services; financial services; market access through contract farming; and promoting improved policy and regulatory frameworks.

The Finance and Administration Manager will provide oversight and responsibility for all finance, operations, and administration functions, ensuring compliance and mitigation of fraud, waste, and abuse.They will be responsible for oversight of a team including accounting, procurement and grants management, HR/ administrative functions, security and IT.This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Chief of Party. Primary responsibilities include:

• Support the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party in all operational aspects of the project, ensuring efficient and compliant implementation.

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the activity, including supervising the finance, human resources, logistics, procurement, grants, information technology (IT), security, and administrative support to the project.

• Ensure appropriate systems and procedures are in place and timely and cost-effective for key operations functions for the project including cash management, vendor payments, human resource management, and procurement.

• Manage project operation reporting requirements to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement and with RTI, and USDA FFPR administration policies and procedures.

• Lead the project’s financial management and preparation and submission of financial statements and other cost accounting reports to RTI, USDA FFPR, and local authorities.

• Performs compliance review on all project expenditures and ensures strict compliance with all RTI and USDA FFPr finance and accounting policies and procedures.

• Provide training and guidance to Chief of Party, other project staff members, and partner finance managers (as appropriate) on managing project expenses to annual work plan and contract budgets.

• Coordinate and consolidate the projection of monthly, quarterly, and annual expenditures and prepare pipeline estimates for the project.

• Prepare biweekly cash requirements; monitor cash flow and reconcile cash accounts to maintain appropriate cash balances (in coordination with the Accountant).

• Prepare and submit annual foreign tax reports (VAT reports) in compliance with USAID and local government regulations and processes (in coordination with the Accountant)

• In coordination with RTI country-level and regional staff, ensure that national legislation is adhered to, and that Ethiopia-specific standards are applied in ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience, master’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated experience in the financial and administrative management of international-donor-funded projects, experience with USG-funded projects required.

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and/or experiences in accounting, financial planning and management, and procurement.

• Demonstrated managerial experience and skills. Experience directly managing HR functions strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of USG cost accounting standards and other finance and procurement standards.

• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multi-disciplinary teams.

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team setting.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to interact with USG agencies, host country governments, private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Verbal and written fluency in English required.

• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office Applications.

• Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times.

This position is not eligible for allowances. Ethiopian local nationals are encouraged to apply.