Ethiopia: Director, Finance

Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position: Director, Finance

Term of Employment: Fixed

Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number: One

Salary & Benefits: Competitive

Application Deadline: Feb 10, 2018

BACKGROUND:

The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. The Agency reports to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Development and is Secretary to the Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

Theprogrammatic *focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Development and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into four different pillars: Crops & Natural Resources which includes Inputs and Plant Protection, Soil Health & Fertility, Irrigation and Drainage, and Mechanization; Cross Cutting Initiatives, which includes Inclusive Growth, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Planning and MLE; Livestock, which includes Animal Health and Genetic Improvement and Feed & Feeding; and Agribusiness and Markets including Market Development, Rural Finance, ICT, and Private Sector. In addition, the Agricultural Commercialization ClustersInitiative is another critical focus area for the Agency. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.*

Our Culture

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 team work to achieve excellent results.

At ATA, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make ameaningfulcontribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. 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.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Finance Director will be responsible for ensuring that the finance and financial administration functions are implemented efficiently and cost-effectively and provide adequate support to the CEO and Senior Directors. She/he is responsible for monitoring the development and utilization of budget and preparing financial reports as per the organization reporting timeline and need of partners. The Director ensures legal and regulatory compliance for all accounting and financial related function. The Director of finance also oversees cost and general accounting, accounts receivable/collection and payroll and risk management.

This position will officially report to Senior Director, Operations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provides strategic financial management and leadership, ensuring appropriate systems, procedures and internal controls are in place to support the continued growth of program needs.
• Developing and successfully implementing a strategy for Finance aligned with organizational objectives;
• Develops an annual budget with input from and in consultation with the Senior Directors, monitor the budget utilization in order to ensure effective utilization and value for money;
• Establishes the priorities and focus of team members on priorities in order to meet the need of the program which is expanding;
• Establishes strong finance team which enable to effectively implement all key finance functions, produce concise, comprehensive and high quality management information;
• Manage the performance and development of the finance team and ensure quality and timely delivery;
• Develops management information reporting systems and provide timely financial reports to senior managers;
• Ensures compliance of donor requirements, policies and procedures across the organization; provide guidance and training on donor requirements, policies and procedures to finance and non-finance programme teams;
• Closely monitor the donor reporting schedule and the programme business cycle to ensure timely and accurate financial donor reports are prepared & submitted consistent with narrative reports.
• Work with other team members to manage the preparation of financial reports of donors.
• Ensure a complete audit trail from primary documentation to the accounting system for accurate and rapid donor reporting and general record keeping.
• Maintain current knowledge of the government requirements related to financial matters and ensures compliance with tax regulations and other legal requirements;
• Supervise all project bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates;
• Establish policies regarding cash holding limits, cash movements and foreign currency holdings;
• Design, implement, and monitor systems, procedures and reporting necessary to maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments entered into and which obligate the project to future spending;
• Regularly monitor spending and review projects with Senior Management Team;
• Ensure that appropriate and effective internal control system is in place and regularly review;
• Closely work with leadership and management teams to enhance staff competencies in finance, financial administration and donor reporting & compliance;
• Donor and regulatory agency liaison: conducting continuing dialogue with actual and potential funding sources and government regulatory bodies;
• Ensure that partners’/client’s financial policies and practices comply with requirements under the Federal law of Ethiopia;
• Responsible for liaison with external bodies and with legislative authorities related to finance;
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed monthly and on a timely basis and review final reconciliations and trial balances
• Supervise the collection of contractual and other receivables.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Financial Management, Accounting and Finance and related fields;
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience in a senior team leadership role in an international agency;
• Proven ability to manage the overall work process of a finance unit by ensuring effective work assignments, supervision and development to ensure availability of competent and well-motivated staff;
• Critical thinking, well organized, analytical, and determined to follow through;
• Good knowledge of Financial Management and Accounting;
• Certification in Accounting is an advantage;
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving, priority setting, planning and delegation;
• Detailed knowledge of the Ethiopian financial laws, regulation and procedures;
• Familiarity with donor funded projects and project reporting is essential;
• Excellent knowledge of accounting software’s;
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of office software packages ;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Amharic.
• Ability to work in a very busy environment and good in stress management

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages), and (iii) a completed ATA Application Form athttp://apply.ata.gov.et.

Please note that CVs, cover letter and other application materials WILL NOT be considered unless accompanied by a fully completed ATA Application Form. Also, please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application form.

Womenare highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.