Job Description
ABOUT DIGITAL GREEN
Digital Green is an international non-government organization that empowers smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by harnessing the collective power of technology and grassroots-level partnerships. We join forces with governments, private agencies, CSOs and, most importantly, rural communities themselves to co-create digital solutions that help smallholder farmers increase productivity and income. In Ethiopia, Digital Green is working in four regions in introducing and scaling video-extension approach, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture and Natural Resource. For more information, please visit Digital Green’s website: www.digitalgreen.org.
Digital Green is entering an exciting phase of development as it expands to additional digital solutions, agricultural commodities and geographies. As part of this expansion, Digital Green is building a team of exceptional individuals with a passion for finding solutions to pressing development problems. This is an exciting opportunity to join Digital Green’s growing team in Ethiopia, supporting our ongoing and new programs.
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Country Director and serving as a member of the Ethiopia Leadership Group (ELG), the Finance and Administration Head is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the local operations, finance and accounting function for Digital Green Ethiopia (DGE). In finance and accounting this includes: coordination and oversight of the country-level annual audit; statutory and organizational compliance monitoring, training and enforcement; development and support of country-level and project-specific budgeting; contributing to internal and external financial reporting along with analysis, when needed; ensuring that field office accounting activities meet locally required and organizational standards; and contributing to and supporting global initiatives within the finance function. On the operations side, the Finance and Admin Head ensures that all program units in DGE are provided with the necessary administrative and logistics policies, processes and systems that enable employees, managers and leaders to accomplish their day-to-day business efficiently, effectively and in a manner that safeguards the organization while ensuring best use of donor resources.
In summary, this role is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective financial and administrative practices in DGE to meet the strategic objectives of the organization, while ensuring financial prudence and compliance with Digital Green global policies, systems and procedures as well as government and funder requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management and Operations
- Ensure that the functions of the unit are aligned with the organizational and programmatic framework of DG.
- Ensure that Digital Green’s local financial management and control policies, procedures and systems are maintained, implemented, communicated and understood, and adapted when needed.
- Oversee the effective implementation of DGE’s financial policies, procedures and systems ensuring that they reflect good practice and are within Digital Green’s global management policy.
- Monitor usage of budget and overall cash flow, ensure sufficient cash is available for program needs at all times, and provide recommendations to the DGE Country Director on managing any related issues that may arise.
- Ensure compliance of all DGE programs with third party financial agreements, operational standards and terms and conditions.
- Oversee the completion of all necessary tasks required for the local annual external audit as well as periodic internal audits and engage DGE leadership as required.
- Design and oversee the process for cash reconciliations each month and closing of monthly books and bank statements in a timely manner, providing hands on support as needed.
Administrative Policies, Processes, and Systems
- Ensure that all legal and regulatory compliance requirements are in place and adhered to.
- Oversee and ensure that all DGE procurement and subaward activities meet the required internal and external standards and procedures.
- Oversee the office management function to include facilities, communication equipment, vehicles and basic utilities.
- Maintain adequate custody and control over property of the organization, overseeing inventory/asset management.
- Participate in the development, iteration, and improvement of global operational policies and processes.
- Oversee local implementation of DG systems, including staff training, collecting feedback, and improving adoption.
- Oversee DGE’s use of the organization’s knowledge management platform (Box) to store files; advocate for enhanced use of Box among all staff to reduce knowledge loss and improve efficient knowledge sharing.
- Oversee implementation of IT initiatives and provision of IT support.
- Ensure that these policies are continuously reviewed and are aligned with the DGE culture and principles of efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Reporting & Documentation
- Keep ELG abreast of financial status at both the country and project levels by conducting regular reviews highlighting key insights (eg. budget to actual variances, trend analysis, low or high spending concerns, etc.). Provide expert support and advice to all budget holders to help alleviate any concerns by proactively addressing issues observed and/or raised by the ELG.
- Oversee the preparation and management of internal and external financial documents and ensure the required financial documentation is prepared accurately and submitted on time to the right external authorities.
Managerial/leadership roles
- Ensure optimum utilization of DGE’s human, material and financial resources in all aspects of team operations.
- Determine individual and team goals in alignment with global goals with employees, assess performance, provide regular feedback, and reinforce performance expectations.
- Create a supportive culture for career and personal development.
- Provide strategic leadership as a member of the ELG of Digital Green, in designated functional areas.
Compensation
Digital Green is a great place to work and prides itself on a competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Digital Green is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Requirements
Qualifications, Skills and Competencies
- Masters Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration
- Certified accountant preferred, thorough knowledge of IPSAS required
- Minimum 10-15 years of demonstrated experience in financial analysis and financial management/leadership, some of which must be in nonprofit accounting
- Experience with diverse donor base preferred
- Experience in leading finance and administration units required
- Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from different internal and external audiences
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required
- Demonstrated knowledge of business/financial planning, risk management, and general management practices
- Knowledge of systems and processes related to financial management
- Experience working within a global organization
- Experience with implementing process improvements and new systems. Willingness to continually improve processes to increase efficiency while managing risk
- Strong management skills and work ethic
- Ability to work well under pressure, under tight deadlines, and with an eagerness to perform in order to deliver quality results
- Willingness to not only lead the local finance function but to actively contribute to day-to-day tasks of team, as needed
How to Apply