Programme Accountant (2 Positions)

About CST

CST Ethiopia represents the overseas development and humanitarian agencies of the Catholic Church from England and Wales (CAFOD), Scotland (SCIAF), and Ireland (Trócaire) in Ethiopia. The three agencies have over 40 years’ of experience in international development and humanitarian response and are each members of worldwide networks, including Caritas Internationalis. Currently, the three agencies jointly operate a single, integrated country programme in Ethiopia through the legal entity CST Ethiopia. CST Ethiopia works in partnership with local church and non-church organisations, supporting communities in Addis Ababa, Afar, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regions.

The CST Ethiopia main country office based in office Addis Ababa assumes overall responsibility for implementing the CST Ethiopia country programme, which currently focuses on resilient communities (sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian preparedness & response, and women empowerment).  CST Ethiopia works with a portfolio of approximately 20 local partner organisations throughout Ethiopia.

Due to ongoing growth and expansion of the CST Ethiopia country program, CST Ethiopia is currently recruiting two Programme Accountants – based in the CST Ethiopia -Mekelle Field Office.  The Program Accountant reports administratively to relevant Manager in Mekelle office and functionally report to Head of Finance & Compliance (HoF&C) of CST Ethiopia.  The Program Accountant will coordinate and manage the donor funded project to deliver the intended results in collaboration with other team.

Key Responsibility

Program Finances (20%)

• Guided by the Head of Finance & Compliance, ensure that the programme complies with all relevant CST and donor policies and regulations.
• In collaboration with the relevant manager, CST Ethiopia Finance Team, partners, as well as other programme staff, ensure timely transfers of funds are made to partners.
• Prepare all the necessary financial documents/financial reports pertaining to the Institutional funding.
• Ensure all the costs incurred are as per the approved budget of the Projects and in compliance with the financial guidelines of the donor and CST;
• Make sure that all payments are accompanied with the necessary supporting documents and are coded accordingly.
• Provide appropriate technical support and guidance to the programme team in the preparation of donor and programme budgets, revisions and donor consolidated financial reports.
• Coordinate regular financial analysis with Programme Managers, Head of Program and Head of Finance & Compliance on programme expenditure, including budgets held by CST-Ethiopia.
• Assist programme team in preparing and maintaining an accurate record of grant agreements, amendments and receipts of grants and ensure timely dispersal of grant payments.
• Maintain accurate records of all programme payments and ensure appropriate information is uploaded on Trócaire’s application like sales Force
• Participate in programme and partner meetings to stay informed of programme strategies, approaches and challenges.
• Ensure the Partner budgets/finances correct on Financial accounting system (Agresso-Unit 4)
• Review the Program and project reports on Financial accounting system (Agresso-Unit 4) regularly and update Head of Finance & Compliance for any issues.
• Monitor budget utilization and advise the HoF and relevant PM whenever there is under or over spend in each of the budget lines in Partner or in CST budgets.
• Lead with, donor external and internal CST audits as required and in the implementation of recommendations both internally and with partners

Partner Finances (60 %)

• Ensure that appropriate technical support and guidance is provided to partners in the preparation of budgets, revisions and financial reports.
• Conduct frequent joint field visits to partner offices to verify expenditure, test internal controls and assess governance, and provide feedback to partners and Programme Managers on key concerns and monitor implementation of recommendations.
• Provide technical support on financial management to the partners whenever the need arises;
• Be actively involved in Partner procurement processes and ensure they are carried out in compliance with the donor’s as well as the CST and Partner policies and highlight any deviation from donor procedures to the Project manager/Head of Finance & Compliance for immediate action.
• Lead on reviewing partner Financial Reports (including other projects implemented by partners) alongside programme team members and ensure that CST and donor requirements are being met
• Lead with, external and internal control audits as required and in the implementation of recommendations both internally and with partners.
• Assist with investigations into alleged fraud or irregularities at partner organisations
• In collaboration with the Programme accountant of partners Provide comprehensive reports on financial monitoring visits to Head of Finance & Compliance, Head of Program and relevant Programme Manager.
• Where necessary, support in the identfication of new programme partners including assessing financial systems and governance.
• Where necessary, deploy to partner organisations to address gaps in capacity, financial irregularities and potential fraud investigations.
• Analyse exchange rate loss or gain and present the analysis to HoF&C, BDM and HoP on a quarterly basis, proposing possible ways to minimize the effects (especially any loss)

Capacity Development (10%)

• Lead on a finance assessment and capacity plan for partners in line with Trócaire’s Partner Capacity Assessment & Support (PCAS) Framework and Partner Financial Management Manual.
• Provide support to partners’ programme and finance staff in financial management using on-the-job training and workshops.
• Update Programme Managers, Head of Program and Head of Finance & Compliance on partners’ capacity development needs.
• Attend and actively contribute in organisational capacity development and coordination activities.
• Assess, maintain, monitor and evaluate an awareness creation training / briefing on Financial and Procurement compliance of partners to the back donor requirements.
• Actively contribute in the CST strategy towards localization.
• Provide support to partners in preparation of financial proposals to institutionally funded projects.
• In the event of a major issue in relation to financial management at partner level, especially in the management of donor funds, the programme accountant may be required to be deployed to a partner organisation to ensure that financial management and reporting are carried out in accordance with CST and donor requirements.
• In consultation withHead of Finance & Compliance, provide technical advice to the BDM to in Institutional Fund budget proposal.

Other duties.

• Any other assignment assigned by the country management team or Head of Finance & Compliance and Compliance.

Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire’s safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here.

Open Position:  2

Division: International

Travel: Required

Contract Duration: Fixed Term – 2 years (posssibilty of extension)

Date: December 2023

Qualifications 

• 1st Degree in Accounting or Finance

Experience 

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Grant Management in INGO
• At least 3 years’ experience of working with and building the capacity of local partner organizations

Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of report writing and good English knowledge
• Good knowledge of licensed accounting softwares like Agresso Unit 4, Sun system, Quick Books etc.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Computer literacy skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point etc.
• Meet deadlines and able to work independently.

Desirable Requirements 

• Significant familiar experience in managing EC/EU, FCDO, Irish Aid grants.
• Sound experience of budgetary and financial management
• In-depth understanding of financial management in a partnership model, work in a partnership-based INGO-
• Experience of working with management information systems

Qualities

• Understanding of an empathy with, the role of the Catholic Church in development.
• A strong commitment to the work of justice and an empathy with the ethos and work of CST Ethiopia.
• A strong commitment and demonstrated ability to maintain adherence to humanitarian principles, including principles of impartiality and neutrality, especially related to the development, implementation, reporting and resourcing of programmes in diverse geographic, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic regions and communities.