Project/Grant Accountant

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. CRS has been working in Ethiopia for nearly 60 years, responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia’s most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS’ disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance.

Job Title:                Project/Grant Accountant

Job grade:                      8

Required number:        One

Department:                 Resilience Food Security Assistance RFSA

Employment Term:      Definite Term (i.e. till September 30, 2026)

Reports To:                   Program Manager – Evaluation, Quality Improvement and Accountability

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Deadline:                        May 3, 2024

Job Summary:

As Sr. Grants Officer, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partners advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the management of project grant activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan and approved annual budgets in line with CRS financial management and sub-recipient policies and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Work with RFSA Partners to review and explain budget levels, timelines, allowability, etc. and plan quarterly/yearly expenditures. Process financial documents (advances and liquidations) submitted by RFSA Partners and verify that they are accurate and validated by support documentation.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project grant activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities regarding budgeting and compliance to CRS and USAID regulations and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze budget and expenditure implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and budget implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize partners and promote project grant activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation in line with requested budgets and expenditure reports and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities (financial management and compliance) to ensure assigned project grant activities are implemented per CRS and donor financial and compliance guidelines and standards as well as managing risk.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of spending analysis reports for CRS expenditures as well as those of Partners.
• Participate on the sub-recipient financial monitoring process to conduct regular monitoring on RFSA partners’ internal control system, support partners to develop internal control improvement plans and make a close follow up and support for the actual implementation of these plans.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other relevant field. Masters preferred.
• 2 years’ experience for 2nd Degree or 5 years for 1st Degree ideally in the field of Business Administration or Finance, with an NGO.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

 Required/Desired Foreign Language

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Afaan Oromo; ability to draft and edit reports is desired.
• Written and verbal skills in Amharic a plus

Travel – Field travel up to 25% is required. 

 Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: N/A

Internal: RFSA Chief of Party, RFSA DCOP-Finance and Compliance, RFSA Program Managers and CRS Finance staff

External:  RFSA partners

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

 Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.