Job Vacancy at ChildFund International Ethiopia

Position: Senior Officer, Grants Finance

Location: Addis Ababa – Bole, Ethiopia

Position Type: Full-time fixed term

About ChildFund:

ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources, and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled, and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund’s Values:

ChildFund values a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment:

ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role:

The position holder will oversee, track, and report on the expenditures for project/grant activities of the country office. He/she will ensure that grant/project-related financial transactions are executed and documented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, Ethiopian laws and regulations, and donor requirements. Provides solutions to a variety of technical problems in financial transactions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
Implement a system that will allow the program to anticipate risks and ensure compliance with ChildFund and prime donor requirements.
Maintain an up-to-date inventory of project-funded fixed assets and property.
Conduct training to build the capacity of the finance and non-finance staff working on the project, including partners, in financial systems, policy, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Prepare documents for audit and donor monitoring visits and maintain key copies of finance records and documents in an orderly and secure manner.
Work with Budget Holder and Awards Coordinator to ensure implementation of all donor compliance requirements, fiscal planning of the budget, to anticipate delays and variations in spending and initiate corrective actions, to prepare any budget revisions and projections, and respond to any questions, to ensure appropriate financial advances, and reports are submitted to the donors.
Maintain an adequate cash flow to ensure sufficient cash to cover project activities and plans, support the Budget Holder and partners to prepare monthly cash forecasts in a timely manner.
Conduct monitoring visits with partners and field offices at least once per quarter, focused on troubleshooting and supportive on-the-job training.
Maintain an up-to-date list of donor regulations to ensure compliance and disseminate the same to all program teams as relevant.
Support program close-out from both financial and programmatic sides.
Prepare and review monthly financial reports and ensure that they are consolidated for monthly distribution to the budget holder and award coordinator.
Review monthly financial reports from and provide regular feedback to project staff and partners.
Provide monthly, quarterly, and mid-year financial reports on actual vs. budget spend and analysis of grant financial performance.
Ensure all program budgets are tracked according to funding ceilings and ensure monthly reporting to program teams on expenditure. Alert the program team and Program Director immediately of any variances, including under or overspending, and propose immediate solutions.
Track cost share expenses as required by the award and identify other areas for program cost share.

Skill and Educational Background:

5 years of experience.
Demonstrated relevant work experience in accounting, including analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, and reporting systems.
Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, International Accounting Standards, internal controls, and segregation of duties.
Excellent understanding of commonly used accounting and financial software and systems in Ethiopia and knowledge of the banking regulations of the country.
Significant experience in financial monitoring, budgetary systems, and controls with strong analytical skills. Proven ability to prepare budgets and donor financial reports.
Ability to communicate effectively and work across departments, with demonstrated experience in integrated project activities.
Ability to work with diverse groups of people, including cross-functional relationships with members of staff at all levels in the organization.
Highly organized and flexible in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Self-guided, strong organizational, and planning skills; Ability to work independently and under tight time constraints.
Good written and oral communication skills in English.

Education/Certifications:

Bachelor’s in accounting/finance.

ChildFund’s Core Competencies:

Teamwork: The ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
Communication: Demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
Results orientation: Gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
Decision making: Uses good judgment, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
Resilience: Thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.