As Head of Finance, you provide strategic and operational leadership for financial management across the Ethiopia Country Programme. You ensure sound financial governance, donor compliance, and efficient financial systems while supporting the Country Director and senior management in decision‑making, risk management and financial sustainability.
The role plays a critical part in WHH’s ongoing financial systems transformation, requiring strong competencies in data, IT‑enabled financial systems, process optimization, and evidence‑based decision‑making. You will lead finance teams and support projects and national NGO partners to meet contractual and donor requirements while strengthening financial capacity and accountability.
Your responsibilities
Strategic financial leadership
- Advise the Country Director and Senior Management Team on financial planning, risk management, scenario analysis, and financial sustainability of the country programme
- Contribute to country strategy development, proposal decisions, and donor engagement from a financial and compliance perspective
- Support WHH’s transition towards modern, data‑driven financial systems and digital tools
Financial management & donor compliance
- Ensure sound financial management of all programmes and projects in line with WHH policies, donor regulations, and national legislation
- Review and support project budget planning, revisions, cost and financing plans (donor and own funds)
- Oversee liquidity planning, internal fund requests, and country office cash management
- Ensure correct cost allocation, in‑kind bookings, project bookkeeping, and timely internal and external financial reporting
- Initiate and review refunds, returns, and final fund requests to donors; support extensions and due‑date monitoring
Systems, data & digital transformation
- Lead the implementation and effective use of WHH financial systems, including system upgrades and new digital tools
- Promote data quality, financial analytics, and evidence‑based decision‑making across the Country Office
- Ensure proper maintenance of CO budgets and financial documentation within WHH systems (e.g. O365 and successor platforms)
- Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and strengthen internal controls through system improvements
Partner management & localisation
- Review partner agreements, assess financial capacities of national NGO partners, and ensure compliance with donor and WHH requirements
- Strengthen financial capacity development of partners in line with WHH’s localisation commitments
- Engage with co‑financers and donors on financial modalities and administrative requirements
Country Office financial administration
- Supervise financial administration of the Country Office, including reporting to Head Office and medium‑term financial planning
- Coordinate and oversee audits, accounting activities, and follow‑up on audit recommendations
- Ensure compliance with WHH standards (RAC, remuneration, travel, insurance, re‑financing strategy, etc.)
- Review and monitor relevant national financial and tax legislation
Leadership & capacity building
- Lead, coach, and develop the finance team at Country Office level
- Coordinate and deliver financial and administrative training for staff and partners
- Support recruitment, account assignment, and induction of staff involved in financial and project administration
Your profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field (required). Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g. ACCA, CPA) is a strong asset
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 2–3 years in a managerial position, preferably with international NGOs.
- Strong experience in donor‑funded project financial management and audits (German donors an asset)
- Proven experience working with financial systems, digital tools, and data‑driven reporting
- Ability to translate financial data into clear management insights and recommendations
- Strong leadership, coordination, and organizational skills, even under high workload
- High integrity and strong understanding of internal controls and compliance
- Excellent spoken and written English and Amharic
- High intercultural competence and strong communication skills
- Proactive, analytical and solution‑oriented mindset
Our offer
We offer you the opportunity to work in a responsible and interesting field as part of an extremely dedicated team. Welthungerhilfe attaches great importance to the personal and professional development of its employees. Remuneration is based on our gender-independent salary scale.