Project Accountant

BACKGROUND

Environment and Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF) is a local, non-political, non-religious and not-for profit civil society organization, licensed and registered in 2005 and re-registered in 2009 and 2019 in accordance the relevant laws.  The vision of ECFF is a healthy and prosperous society that values, conserves and sustainably uses nature. Our mission is to reverse degradation of natural environment, and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable and equitable use of renewable natural resources.

ECFF is co-implementing the “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forested Landscapes in Southwestern Ethiopia” project with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) (Lead) and iDE, which is funded by Sida/ the Embassy of Sweden. The project aims to contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of forested landscapes in the Southwest Ethiopia for their climate, biodiversity, ecosystem services and economic benefits through gender transformative and socially inclusive approach. The project is implemented in different woredas located in Bunno Beddele, Ilu Abbabor and Jimma zones of Oromia, and Dawro, Kafa and Konta zones of the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ (SWEP) regional states.

ECFF is also a member of the consortium led by Farm Africa to implement “Nature Based Solution for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (NSSID)” project, funded by Sida/ the Embassy of Sweden. The project aims to contribute to environmental sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive development in six basins of Ethiopia, grouped into three eco-regional clusters. ECFF implements activities of the project in Masha and Anderacha Woredas of Sheka zone, located in the Western and south-western cluster (Omo-Gibe and Baro-Akobo basins), under Mettu sub-cluster.

We are hiring a dedicated and experienced Project accountant to carry out the day-to-day financial transactions of the projects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION:

Project accountant is a position in the organization with the overall responsibility of Preparing balance sheets, profit, and loss statements, and other financial reports. The post holder is also responsible to analyzing trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations incurred to predict future revenues and expenses. Thus, the position requires advanced and experienced skill in accounting principles and procedures, financial management, grant management and reporting skills and etc

  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare monthly account of the Project office that show the expenditure
• Submit the monthly financial account/ report to the Field Office (Jimma or Mettu) coordinator for approval.
• Prepare monthly forecast in collaboration with the site coordinator for money transfer to the field office
• All expenditures to have proper accounting documents (Vouchers) countersigned by the Field Office (Jimma or Mettu) site coordinator
• Inform and coordinate well in advance when the account needs replenishing
• Follow the ECFF financial policy, guidance and petty cash system
• Prepare and disburse the staff payroll, gross pay tax and other deductions, net pay and ensure that staff income tax is paid in time
• Make sure the deduction of withholding tax from purchase of goods and services as per the tax proclamation and settle same to the tax authority timely
• Preform other duties assigned by the site coordinator
• Follow up the proper usage and regular maintenance of the project vehicle and motorbikes, properly check the log sheet, fuel and lubrication
• Document financial transactions by entering account information and substantiate financial transactions by auditing documents
• Summarize current financial status by collecting information; preparing balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and other reports
• Maintain accounting controls by preparing and recommending policies and procedures
• Guide accounting clerical staff by coordinating activities and answering questions
• Reconcile financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information
• Secure financial information by completing database backups
• Support month-end and year-end close process
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
• Communicate effectively with staffs at all levels and perform other assigned tasks
• Recommend financial actions by analyzing accounting options

POSITION:  Project Accountant

DUTY STATION: Jimma or Mettu field Office

DURATION & HOURS:     Full Time, and contract for one year, with a possibility of extension

Deadline: August 22, 2023

• MA/ MBA or BA in accounting and finance
• At least 6 or 10 years of direct work experience for MA/MBA & BA. degree holders, respectively;
• Strong knowledge of standard and applicable accounting principles and practices
• Experience of working with diverse team in the operational areas
• Experience of working with NGOS and Private sector agencies

• Afaan Oromo and English fluency required, fluency in the local languages is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good team player
• Ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff and clients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor and a listener in-group setting which include senior staff.
• Well-organized, resourceful, effective, and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done
• Have proven track record of successfully working on multiple tasks at once and foresees and plan around obstacles.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the Project sites