Finance Manager for ECOTRADE Project in Ethiopia (M/W)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: Expertise France

Deadline: April 18, 2025, 23:55

Job Description

Mission description

This EU-funded project focuses on supporting supporting the advancing implementation of the AfCFTA in Ethiopia with a focus on a private-led value chain development approach to increasing intra-African trade, promoting greater economic integration, sustainable growth, and creating jobs.

The four specific objectives of the project are:

• Specific Objective 1: The private sector is actively engaged alongside the government to support the AfCFTA’s successful implementation
• Specific Objective 2:  Regional value chains are integrated, and trade/transport connectivity is facilitated with a focus on increasing women’s participation in commercial and logistics processes;
• Specific Objective 3: Relevant authorities in the implementation of the AfFTA are supported;
• Specific Objective 4: Academic institutions and research institutions are supported.

The project team will be based in Expertise France’s offices in Addis Ababa, ensuring proximity to stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The Finance Manager will ensure efficient Finance and Budgetary management for the Project. She/he will be responsible for budget administration, financial compliance and audit functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, the Finance Manager will conduct the following activities in strict compliance with Expertise France procedures and Ethiopian regulations:

1. Budget and Contract Management

• Lead on budget preparation (planning and forecasting) and ensure continuous monitoring of expenditures.
• Maintain and update financial tracking tools to ensure accurate reporting.
• Manage all project expenditures in compliance with Expertise France and EU financial guidelines, as well as Ethiopian financial regulations and tax laws.
• Validate and process invoices, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of all financial transactions and account reconciliations.
• Lead on contracting processes and ensure contractor payments align with agreed outputs and deliverables.
• Ensure timely disbursement of funds and track fund utilization from Activity implementation against the project budget.
• Liaise with banks, vendors, and financial institutions to ensure smooth payments and financial operations.

2. Financial Management and Audit

• Develop and submit periodic financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support in preparing financial projections and risk assessments for strategic decision-making.
• Organize and maintain all required financial documentation for audits, working closely with project team members to ensure smooth audit procedures.
• Provide financial training and capacity-building support to project staff on financial procedures and compliance requirements.
• Monitor changes in financial regulations and donor compliance requirements, ensuring project adherence.
• Manage payroll processes in compliance with Ethiopian labor laws, including accurate calculation of salaries, deductions (taxes, pension, etc.), and timely payments.
• Ensure compliance with Ethiopian tax regulations, including accurate and timely filing of tax returns (income tax, VAT, withholding tax, etc.).
• Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions, ensuring compliance with Ethiopian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Manage fixed asset register and ensure proper accounting for depreciation.
• Handle petty cash management and reconciliation.

Project or context description

With approximately 125 million inhabitants and a population that continues to grow rapidly (+2.5% per year), Ethiopia is expected to reach 150 million people by 2050 (World Bank projections, 2022) and remain Africa’s second most populous country. Its economy is one of the most dynamic in the region, with a growth rate of 6.4% in 2022.

Ethiopia is at a pivotal moment in its economic development, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement providing a transformative opportunity for regional integration and growth. The country faces significant challenges, including structural weaknesses in its state-led growth model, high trade costs, and limited private sector engagement. These factors hinder Ethiopia’s ability to integrate into regional and global value chains, especially in the production and trade of value-added goods.

The AfCFTA aims to address these barriers by promoting intra-African trade, supporting regional economic integration, and fostering sustainable growth. For Ethiopia, the agreement is an opportunity to enhance its export base, engage its private sector, and create jobs, particularly for women and youth. This project aligns with Ethiopia’s national priorities under its Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda (HGER) and its Ten-Year Perspective Development Plan, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Required profile

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance or related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of Ethiopian financial regulations, tax laws, and labor laws.
• Experience with accounting software used in Ethiopia if any.
• Fluency in English and Amharic (written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in:
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in finance, budgetary and accounting management.
• Demonstrated capacity for effective financial management, risk management and financial oversight.
• Prior experience with international development organizations (EU, Expertise France, AFD, GIZ, etc.) is a plus.
• Experience in managing payroll and ensuring compliance with Ethiopian labor laws is required.
• Experience in preparing and filing tax returns in Ethiopia is required.

Additional information

The contract is expected to last 6 months (possibility of renewal), starting 1st of May, 2025.

Required documents are the following:

• CV
• Cover letter

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications promptly, as Expertise France reserves the right to conduct pre-selection interviews ahead of the deadline.

Deadline for application : 2025/04/18 23:55.

 

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