Head of Finance and Administration Job at the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), Ethiopia

About CARD

The Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, for-not-profit organization registered in Ethiopia under the Civil Societies Law 1113/2019 with registry number 4307. CARD acquired its legal personality on 24 July 2019.

CARD aspires to see Ethiopia where democratic culture flourished on human rights values and has been working with a mission to empower citizens and groups of citizens to ensure their ability to promote and defend human rights and build democratic governance in Ethiopia.

Position: Head of Finance and Administration

Reports to: Director

Location: Addis Ababa

Career Level: Managerial Level (+6 years’ experience)

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: As per the scale of the organization

Posted date: Sep 29, 2025

Closing date: Oct 08, 2025

Job Summary

CARD seeks to recruit a Head of Finance and Administration who will be responsible for the overall finance and administrative-related activities. The Head of Finance and Administration will make operational decisions. S/he will coordinate all financial administrative tasks and ensure proper financial procedures and systems are put in place, applied, and updated. S/he must ensure support to teams, including administration, and finance, function efficiently to support implementation of the activity.

The position holder will participate and engage in management meetings and maintain positive relationships with program staff, partners, and other stakeholders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Procedures, Systems, and Compliance

• Verify financial documents.
• Ensure proper financial procedures and systems are operated and maintained.
• Oversee day-to-day coordination of financial activities.
• Maintain and monitor CARD internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with the financial and other requirements of the organization, government and donors.

Budget Preparation and Follow-up

• Prepare budgets, amendments, and forecasts working with relevant staff members.
• Monitor ongoing levels of expenditure on individual programs/projects against the budget and provide timely advice related to over or under utilization of budget.
• Prepare the plan and the budget for Overhead costs and Staff salaries and benefits.

Expenditures and Accounts

• Coordinate with the responsible person for monthly payroll processing.
• Ensure that all payroll taxes, pension contributions and withholding taxes are promptly paid.
• Make sure that all financial transactions are supported with relevant documents and all expenditures are properly coded and inserted in the System in timely bases.
• Reconcile all bank accounts and cashbooks to actual cash counts and investigate and resolve any discrepancies.
• Make sure adequate funds are available to meet programs/projects requirements by timely settling expenditures.
• Manage the Organization Cash flow of the organization.

Human Resources Management

• Ensure that CARD staff respect working hours and report time in accordance with CARD time reporting requirements.
• Ensure that staff performance appraisals are undertaken regularly based on the CARD timelines.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and compliant employee and employment-related files.
• Manage all employee benefits plans and enrollments.
• Ensure that strategic and individual training needs of employees are periodically reviewed and met.
• Forward recommendations to the Director to ensure fair allocation of training, workshops, etc., for staff.
• Manage fair and compliant recruitment processes.

Material Management

• Ensure that proper procurement and purchasing policies and procedures are in place and followed, in accordance with CARD organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure office lease agreements, Insurance, and other contracts are renewed in a timely manner.
• Supervise property management to promote efficient and effective utilization of resources.
• Facilitate and provide the necessary administrative support to the Program department.

Reporting

• Close accounts monthly and prepare a status report to the relevant department.
• Prepare financial reports compliant with CARD and Donors reporting requirements.
• Prepare financial reports to the Authority for Civil Society Organizations and other local authorities compliant with their reporting requirements as requested.
• Facilitate and lead the preparation of and submit quarterly and annual reports of the office.
• Prepare annual financial statements and other reporting packages for annual audits.

Supervision/Monitoring

• In consultation with the relevant staff coach and monitor sub-grantees.
• Supervise and appraise financial and other support staff, as well as provide assistance, training, and advice, as required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure that the security of the office and staff safety are up to the required standard.
• Participate in management meetings and maintain positive relationships with the CARD staff, Donors, partners and stakeholders.
• Perform any other task and additional assignment as deemed necessary and/or assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• BA/MA in business administration, finance, accounting, or a similar relevant field of study

Experience

• Minimum of Six years of proven experience with three years as Finance and Administrative manager with work experience in the civil society sector.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent leadership, financial management, and communication skills.
• Strong planning, team building, organization, and supervision skills.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) & International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS accounting rules) as well as grants management
• Advanced computer skills in Excel, Peachtree, and Quick Books.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and managing budgets.
• Demonstrated experience with managing Multi Donor Funds and Sub-grantees.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills in English
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and demanding timeframes.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks at the same time.
• Ability to work independently.

Personal Attributes and Characteristics:

• Exhibit strong and sustained commitment to the mission of CARD
• Show good stewardship in the use of CARD resources.
• The ability to respond quickly to emails.
• Consistently use good judgment when dealing with all contacts and constituents.
• Exhibit high work standards, adherence to procedures, and responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Assess own strengths and weaknesses, pursue training and development opportunities, and strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Work as an effective team member, successfully balancing individual and team responsibilities.
• Comply with all policies and procedures.