Finance Manager – AICS/CBM RISE Project

1. Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization. ECDD committed to promoting the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities through policy advocacy and the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in service delivery, development programs, and humanitarian actions, in partnership with other organizations. Established in 2005, ECDD is dedicated to fostering an inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities in all their diversities exercise their human rights and have access to mainstream services and opportunities on an equal basis with others.

ECDD has signed an agreement with AICS/CBM to implement the RISE project, aimed at enhancing employment inclusion through vocational skills development and inclusive training-employment linkages in Ethiopia. In this regard, ECDD is seeking a qualified Finance Manager based in Addis Ababa. The Finance Manager will oversee the financial management of the RISE project while also contributing to the organization’s overall financial operations and strategic planning.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Finance Manager plays a key supportive role to the Finance and Admin Director in managing ECDD’s overall financial operations. S/he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial activities, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records, donor compliance, ensuring compliance to organizational financial policies and regulations, supervising finance staff, and contributing to strategic financial planning.

3. Key Responsibilities

Financial Management, Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist the Finance and Admin Director in the overall financial management of the organization.
• Oversee daily accounting functions, ensuring timely recording of financial transactions.
• Ensure proper coding and classification of expenses across all projects
• Ensure timely and accurate reconciliations, including bank and petty cash as well as cash flow reports.
• Manage chart of accounts and ensure proper coding of financial transactions.
• Ensure timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports
• Support the preparation of annual financial statements and consolidated reports
• Follow up on the timely submission of the reports to the Finance and Admin Director for approval
• Monitor and analyze the reports through various tools including cash flow forecast and Budget Monitoring Report (BMR) /Budget Vs. Accomplishment (BVA)/, and provide analysis summary with recommendations to Finance and Admin Director
• Conduct financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Support the preparation and revision of organizational and project-specific budgets in collaboration with program and management teams.
• Work with program teams to develop budgets for new proposals in line with donor requirements.
• Assist in monitoring budget utilization and provide variance analyses and recommendations to the Finance and Admin Director.
• Propose various options to Finance and Admin Director on budget adjustments or reallocations together with their financial implications on the program activity and admin performances.

Budgeting and Forecasting

Donor and Grant Compliance

• Assist in ensuring financial compliance with donor rules and regulations
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of donor rules and cascade to the Finance Officers under supervision
• Maintain up-to-date grant financial files and expenditure tracking tools
• Ensure financial expenditures and recording are in compliance with donor agreements and regulations.
• Support the preparation and timely submission of donor financial reports, working closely with the Finance and Admin Director.
• Support external and donor audits by preparing schedules and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with program teams to ensure alignment between financial and programmatic reporting.
• Oversee the implementation and use of financial management systems (FETS, Finance Module and others

Internal Controls

• Ensure implementation of ECDD’s financial policies and procedures
• Implement and monitor internal controls to ensure proper financial management.
• Follow up the internal control procedures are adhered to safeguard the organization’s properties.
• Coordinate and facilitate annual audit tasks and respond to audit queries and findings in consultation with the FAD;
• Identify areas for improvement in internal controls and recommend solutions to the Admin and Finance Director.
• Support the development and updating of financial manuals, tools, and templates.

E. Supervision and Capacity Building

• Supervise and support the finance team under supervision to ensure timely and accurate performances.
• Coordinate with field-level staff to ensure quality financial reporting and documentation
• Conduct performance appraisals and identify capacity development needs, and recommend the required capacity building trainings.
• Provide technical support and mentoring to build the capacity of the finance team.

Audit and Compliance Support

• Assist in preparing documentation and schedules for annual audits and project-specific audits.
• Support the Finance and Admin Director in responding to audit findings and ensuring implementation of recommendations.

Cash and Treasury Management

• Manage the organization’s bank accounts, cash transfers, and treasury operations.
• Forecast monthly and quarterly cash needs and prepare cash flow projections.
• Monitor daily cash position and ensure sufficient liquidity for operations.
• Review and check/approve payment requests based on the authority limits and ensure proper documentation in the archive.
• Oversee cash counts, petty cash reconciliations, bank reconciliations and secure the storage of liquid assets and ensure proper documentation of disbursements.
• Support timely and secure disbursement of funds to field offices and partners
• Liaise with banks and financial institutions as needed, including account updates, foreign exchange issues, and fund transfers.

Payroll and Tax

• Oversee payroll processing, staff benefits, and statutory deductions are properly met while preparing the monthly payroll before approval;
• Ensure timely and accurate tax settlements and compliance with Ethiopian tax authority regulations;
• Ensure compliance with tax laws, financial regulations, donor requirements, and internal policies.

Gender – Female (those with disability are encouraged to apply)

5. Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Accounting/Finance, or related field of study
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years on managing or coordinating financial tasks in NGO, preferably working on Disability related tasks
• Experience of working with Peachtree Accounting Software

6. Skills

• Proven ability to manage diverse teams and coordinate with donors and government stakeholders.
• Strong command of both written and spoken English is required
• Strong writing and reporting skills in English; fluency in oral English
• Demonstrated ability in computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications and experience in using office software applications such as MS Word and Excel.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and coordination skills.
• Strong understanding of donor financial reporting standards preferably AICS-funded projects
• Good knowledge of Ethiopian tax laws and financial regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.

7. Core Competencies

• Commitment to the realization of the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability in complex and changing environments.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, adaptability, integrity, and political neutrality.
• Good interpersonal skills and emotional maturity to work with relevant stakeholders
• Demonstrated accountability and professional integrity
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.