Head of Finance and Operation

Position Title: Head of Finance and Operations Employment Type: Fixed-term, Full-time Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Addis Ababa, with occasional travel to project sites

Duration: One year with a possibility of extension

Salary: 55,000 ETB net

Background:

Nexus 4 Empowerment and Development (N4ED) is a grassroots Ethiopian Civil Society Organization committed to building resilient communities by connecting people, knowledge and opportunities. Through our three interconnected pillars—Early Childhood Development & Family Well-being, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Social Empowerment & Protection—we strengthen the foundations of human development, empowerment and rights.

As N4ED continues to grow, we have significantly strengthened our organizational governance by developing comprehensive finance, procurement, human resources, safeguarding, compliance and information security systems. We are now entering a new phase focused on ensuring these systems are consistently implemented across the organization while strengthening our institutional capacity, internal controls and people management. To support this growth, N4ED is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Finance and Operations to lead the Administration, HR and Finance functions and contribute to the continued professionalization of our organization.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Head of Finance and Operations is a management-level position responsible for providing strategic leadership to N4ED’s Administration, HR and Finance functions.

The successful candidate will oversee the organization’s finance, administration, compliance and human resource management functions, ensuring that robust systems, internal controls and organizational policies are effectively implemented across all offices. The position will lead the implementation and continuous improvement of N4ED’s administrative, financial and HR systems, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure that N4ED maintains the highest standards of accountability, transparency and operational excellence.

Working with a lean multidisciplinary support team of approximately five staff members across finance, procurement and HR administration, the Head of Finance and Operations will combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight. The role places a

strong emphasis on coaching staff, strengthening systems, ensuring compliance and continuously improving organizational effectiveness to support N4ED’s continued growth.

Joining N4ED means becoming part of an ambitious Ethiopian organization committed to building strong systems while creating lasting social impact. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the organization’s finance, HR and administration function during an exciting period of institutional growth and professionalization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership
   • Lead and coordinate N4ED’s Administration, HR and Finance functions through a small multidisciplinary support team.
   • Supervise the Finance Manager, Finance Officers, Administrative Assistant, HR assistant, Purchaser and other administration staff.
   • Establish clear work plans, priorities and departmental objectives.
   • Coach and build the capacity of administrative, finance and HR staff.
   • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide continuous feedback.
   • Promote teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.
2. Financial Oversight and Internal Controls
   • Oversee the organization’s financial management systems.
   • Review and approve monthly bank reconciliations prepared by the Finance Manager.
   • Ensure timely completion of month-end and year-end closing.
   • Lead the preparation and submission of financial reports to donors, government authorities and management, in close collaboration with programme teams and the Finance team.
   • Coordinate the financial reporting process with programme managers to ensure consistency between financial and narrative reports and compliance with donor requirements.
   • Monitor compliance with approved budgets and financial procedures.
   • Strengthen internal controls and segregation of duties.
   • Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions.
   • Support external and internal audits and ensure implementation of audit recommendations.
3. Organizational Compliance and Risk Management
   • Lead the implementation of N4ED’s organizational policies and procedures.
   • Ensure compliance with donor requirements, Ethiopian legislation and organizational standards.
   • Monitor adherence to the Finance Manual, HR Manual, Procurement Policy, Code of Conduct, Anti-Fraud and AML/CTF Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Information Security Policy, Whistleblower Policy and other internal procedures.
   • Conduct periodic compliance reviews

• Develop practical tools, checklists and monitoring systems to improve compliance.
  • Report compliance risks and recommend corrective measures.

Administration and Operations

• • Oversee administrative systems across all N4ED offices.
  • Ensure proper management of assets, inventories and office facilities.
  • Supervise procurement processes and ensure compliance with procurement procedures.
  • Review major procurement files before approval.
  • Ensure effective document management and archiving systems.
  • Support the organization of trainings, workshops and organizational events.

Human Resource Management

• • Oversee the implementation of N4ED’s Human Resource policies and procedures.
  • Supervise the Administrative Assistant in carrying out routine HR administration.
  • Lead recruitment processes for administrative and finance positions and support recruitment across the organization as required.
  • Oversee onboarding, probation, performance appraisal and staff development processes.
  • Advise management on HR matters and employee relations.
  • Ensure personnel files and HR records are complete, confidential and compliant with legal requirements.
  • Identify capacity-building needs and coordinate staff development initiatives.

Systems Development and Continuous Improvement

• • Lead the implementation of newly approved organizational systems and procedures.
  • Review existing workflows and recommend improvements.
  • Develop standardized administrative tools and templates.
  • Promote efficiency, accountability and continuous organizational learning.
  • Support the organization’s long-term institutional strengthening.

Representation

• • Represent N4ED during meetings with auditors, banks, government authorities and administrative partners.
  • Participate in donor meetings related to finance, HR and administration.
  • Build positive working relationships with external stakeholders.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, HR and administration.
  • At least two years in a management or supervisory position.
  • Previous experience with local or international NGOs is required.
  • Experience working with donor-funded projects.
  • Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience supporting external audits and donor compliance reviews.
  • A Bachelor’s Degree combined with significant relevant experience may also be considered.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Management or a related field is preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial management
  • Strong understanding of Ethiopian labour legislation and NGO regulatory requirements
  • Strong understanding of procurement and internal control systems
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
  • Experience using accounting software
  • Experience developing or implementing organizational systems and procedures

Language

• Excellent written and spoken English
  • Excellent written and spoken Amharic

Personal Competencies

• High integrity and professionalism.
  • Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
  • Excellent organizational and planning skills.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to work independently while building strong collaborative relationships