Senior Officer: Performance Auditor

Term of Employment: –    One year with possibility of extension

Duty Station(s)-                 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number-            One

Application Deadline-       September 30, 2026

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, Systems and capacities of the workforces. The ATI’s focuses on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, pastoralists, internally displaced people (IDPs), recovering people affected by conflict and other across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

The ATI works to transform the agriculture and rural development in Ethiopia by conducting analytical studies in the policy and programmatic areas, piloting innovative agricultural technologies and systems, creating jobs to youth and women along the value chain providing technical implementation support, linking actors along the value-chains and attracting foreign direct investment who can work with cluster farmers, implementing problem based, inclusive and sustainable innovative projects and programs and building capacities of diverse players along the transformation continuum. The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, like MoA and other affiliate Institutions of the Ministry, policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives.

In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange, learning opportunities and resources mobilization. The Institute plays a crucial role primarily in supporting agricultural policy and strategies development to drive transformation of agriculture and rural development; facilitate knowledge exchange, generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based policy formulation and decision-making and pilot innovative projects to be scaled nationwide.

OUR CULTURE

ATI brings together highly competent specialists to address some of the toughest challenges in agriculture and rural development and make transformation a practical reality. We work with clear insight and foresight analysis, measurable goals, making use of the unique strengths of our staff. We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented, dedicated, and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results.

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution to agricultural and rural transformation leading to structural changes of the sector. We expand our thinking, strengthen our capabilities, and redefine our roles to cover new settings to the extent possible fitting to national, continental and global dynamics. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

The ATI is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment for its employees, farmers, partners, and all stakeholders. We maintain zero tolerance for any form of abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or other harmful conduct. The Institute is dedicated to promoting equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring fair and respectful treatment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. We expect all employees, consultants, and partners to uphold ATI’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and related ethical standards in all interactions with colleagues, farmers, communities, and stakeholders. Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate commitment to these principles and to contribute to a workplace and service environment that protects the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of all individuals.

There are many reasons to join us, but if you are seeking a dynamic and meaningful career whin a community of talented professionals with diverse expertise-collaborating to create real impact-ATI is the right place for you.

PROGRAM AND POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior performance auditor is responsible to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of controls in responding to risks within the ATI’s governance, operations, and information systems regarding the effectiveness, economy and efficiency of operations and program. Mainly, the Senior performance auditor is responsible to provide independent audit recommendation about economy, efficiency and effectiveness (in effect, Value For Money) in major fields of the institute’s financial/non-financial resources, projects/program and activities based on the ATI’s policies, rules, regulations, procedural manual, standards and best practice to identify ways of improving Value for Money and to encourage and assist the Institute’s to take the necessary action and improve systems and controls.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Outcome 1: Undertaking the Audit (50%)

·       Perform an overview study and conduct a preliminary assessment to identify and prioritize high-risk exposure areas for further developing the performance audit strategy and annual work plan.

·       Develop audit plans, define activities to be audited, set clear objectives to be achieved, define types of audit review, identify key resources required, determine the period of engagements, and establish related communication channels to provide management with adequate, reliable, and timely information.

·       Assist the audit team in developing engagement audit programs that identify audit objectives, scope, timeline, and methodology.

·       Prepare and confirm the audit issues and evaluative criteria with management before conducting the audit engagement.

·       Identify, analyze, and evaluate audit evidence to arrive at audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

·       Prepare a fact sheet to evaluate and confirm the audit client’s reactions to the audit engagement results.

·       Prepare draft audit reports, identifying findings and supporting audit conclusions and recommendations, and submit them to the Internal Audit Director for further review and approval.

·       Document permanent and temporary audit working papers to support the conclusions and engagement results and ensure the confidentiality and security of data and information collected during the audit process.

·       Perform and control the full audit cycle, including risk management and internal control over operational effectiveness, financial reliability, and compliance with all applicable directives and regulations.

·       Analyse and conclude on the effectiveness and efficiency of the control environment and promote compliance with organizational policies, rules, and regulations.

·       Perform other job-related duties as necessary when requested by the Director.

Outcome 2: Conduct Follow up on the audit result (15%)

·       Perform follow-up activities and report on ensuring that management takes corrective actions on the implementation of the audit recommendations of both internal and external auditors.

·       Documenting permanent and temporary audit working papers to support the audit conclusion and engagement result per professional standards.

Outcome table for Outcome 3: Undertake Consultancy Service and Year-End Closing Observation (20%):

·       Provide advice on internal control upon request and participate in enhancing internal audit standards and practices within ATI.

·       Prepare customized training material and coordinate continuous knowledge development programs regarding regulations, value for money, best practices, tools, techniques, and performance standards.

·       Conduct periodic assurance audit and provide consultancy services to enhance the ATI’s operations and prepare reports with recommendations for improvement.

·       Contribute, as appropriate, to the year-end financial audit conducted by the external auditor and participate in other observation activities as required.

Outcome 4: Ensure Effective Communication (15%)

·       Build, develop, and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to smoothen the audit work.

·       Lead and manage regular and ad-hoc internal audit engagements, including audit entry and exit meetings, following the requirements defined under the Internal Audit Charter of ATI.

·       Contribute to the overall success of ATI by working as a team member on audits and other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

·       Minimum Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, Business, Finance, or another related field.

·       Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience for Master’s degree holders and 6 years for Bachelor’s degree holders, of which at least 2 years should be at a supervisory level.

WORKING CONDITIONS REQUIREMENTS

·       The job holder spends several hours in the office, where most tasks are carried out in an office setting using a computer. The position also requires fieldwork at ATI’s centers and with partners working with ATI.

Behavioural Competencies

Result Orientation / Outcome Oriented

·       Focus on a critical matter that concern with ATI, stakeholders, and end users.

·       Able to learn quickly and work towards the Vision & Strategy of the ATI.

·       Results-Oriented – able to meet deadlines on assignments as well as work with all categories of staff.

Team Building

·       Belief in teamwork.

Strategic Thinking

·       Focus on the big picture.

·       Balancing short-term benefits with long-term goals.

·       Commitment to organizational Vision, Mission, and values.

·       Thinking out of the box.

Networking

·       Creating a network in his /her functions.

·       Fostering Communication

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills, with highly collaborative working style.

·       Experience in working with multi-cultural teams preferred.

Problem-Solving Skill

·       Excellent analytical, problem solving and reporting skills.

·       Strong skills in negotiating, relationship building, problem-solving and timely escalation.

Change Management and Adaptability

·       Buying the hearts and minds of people.

·       Ability to scan internal and external environment.

·       High performing team building.

·       Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability and results.

Decision Making

·       Ability to identify strategic problems and taking timely decision.

·       Excellent analytical skill, taking calculated risk, Consultation and negotiation skills.

·       Ability and willingness to shoulder responsibilities under hectic conditions (in terms of overlapping assignments that may happen occasionally.

Technical Competencies

Planning, Implementing, and Monitoring

·       Contribute input for annual Planning and implementation the audit work as well as follow-up on audit findings and recommendation for measures being implemented.

Building Operation Excellence

·       Contribute input for annual work plan and budget preparation.

·       Ensuring value for money is achieved and driving impact in the audit team.

Diagnostic Information Gathering.

·       Obtaining operation excellence in organization capacity building.

·       Work independently as well as act as a team player or team leader when assigned with an interest to collaborate and support colleagues across the organization.

Stakeholders’ Management

·       Good experience of working in Federal, regional, and civil society or private sector sectors.

·       Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional level and federal level institutions.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to: https://apply.ati.gov.et. It is mandatory to mention the position title in both the subject line of your cover letter and the Outlook email subject line. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.