Senior Finance Officer

1. Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization. ECDD committed to promoting the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities through policy advocacy and the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in service delivery, development programs, and humanitarian actions, in partnership with other organizations. Established in 2005, ECDD is dedicated to fostering an inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities in all their diversities exercise their human rights and have access to mainstream services and opportunities on an equal basis with others.

ECDD, with funding from UN OCHA, is implementing the project entitled “Supporting Access to Education Needs for Crisis-Affected Communities in Machakel, Enemay, and Sedea Woredas of East Gojam Zone, Amhara Region”. The specific interventions that ECDD focuses on are ensuring access to quality and inclusive education for crisis-affected children, especially children with disabilities and those who have missed out on schooling due to conflict, displacement, or other emergencies.

The project includes Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs) to support out-of-school children to catch up and reintegrate into the formal education system. The interventions are aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) strategy, and national frameworks for inclusive and accelerated learning in Ethiopia. In this regard, ECDD is seeking a qualified Senior Finance Officer based in Addis Ababa. 2. Purpose of the Position

2. Purpose of the Role

The Senior Finance Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the project. She/He will report to the Finance Manager and work in collaboration with the project team working in Amhara Region, East Gojam Zone.

3. Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Finance Manager in the overall financial management of the organization.
• Verify daily accounting functions, ensuring timely recording of financial transactions.
• Ensure proper coding and classification of expenses across all projects
• Timely preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports
• Prepare and analyze the reports through various tools, including cash flow forecast and Budget Monitoring Report (BMR) /Budget Vs. Accomplishment (BVA)/, and provide an analysis summary with recommendations to the Finance and Admin Director
• Support the preparation and revision of organizational and project-specific budgets in collaboration with program teams.
• Propose various options to the Finance Manager on budget adjustments or reallocations together with their financial implications on the program activity and admin performances.
• Assist in ensuring financial compliance with donor rules and regulations
• Ensure financial expenditures and the recordings are in compliance with donor agreements and regulations.
• Ensure implementation of ECDD’s financial policies and procedures
• Implement and monitor internal controls to ensure proper financial management.
• Coordinate and facilitate annual audit tasks and respond to audit queries and findings in consultation with the Finance Manager;
• Coordinate with the field-level staff to ensure timely requests for Travel and Work Advance transfers and settlements, preparation of financial reports, and documentation
• Forecast monthly and quarterly cash needs and prepare cash flow projections in collaboration with the project team.
• Monitor daily cash position and ensure sufficient liquidity for operations.
• Verify cash counts, petty cash reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and secure the storage of liquid assets in a safe box and ensure proper documentation of disbursements.
• Follow up on the timely preparation of monthly payroll and the timely settlement of statutory obligations
• Comply with all relevant ECDD policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Code of Conduct, Gender Equality, Data Protection, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources Management and anti-fraud and bribery.

5. Qualifications and Experience

• BA degree in Accounting/Finance, or related field of study;
• At least 4 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years of coordinating financial tasks in an NGO, preferably working in Disability focused organization;
• Experience in working with Peachtree Accounting Software.

6. Skills

• Proven ability to manage diverse teams and coordinate with donors and government stakeholders.
• Strong command of both written and spoken English is required
• Strong writing and reporting skills in English; fluency in oral English
• Demonstrated ability in computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, and experience in using office software applications such as MS Word and Excel.
• Strong understanding of donor financial reporting standards, preferably AICS-funded projects
• Good knowledge of Ethiopian tax laws and financial regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.