Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an Ethiopian charity organization established in 2007 to ensure brighter future for disadvantaged children, youth & women through integrated community development approach in the thematic areas of ECDE, Education, Youth Skills Development and Employment, Adolescent Girls and Women Empowerment, Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection, and Emergency and Recovery. Currently, ESD is operating its programs in five regional states of Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, Debub-Ethiopia, and Maikelawi-Ethiopia.

Details of the Vacant Position:

Position: Senior Finance Officer

Required Number :1 (one)

Duty Station : Addis Ababa, Head Office

Reporting To :Admin and Finance Head

Employment type :Full Time

Contract Term: One year with the possibilities of extension/renewal based on performance and availability of funds

Salary: Negotiable

Job Summary

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible to manage, document, and report financial transactions, ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner and in line with general accounting principles as well as ESD and donor guidelines. In addition, the Senior Finance Officer will play a role in supporting the organization’s HR development. ESD invites highly motivated, dedicated, and innovative professionals to apply for this position and compete for the opportunity to join our team.

Major Responsibilities

The Senior Finance Officer shall execute the following major functions:

• Maintains completion of workbook accounts, as per ESD policies that monthly bank reconciliations for all Bank accounts are prepared on a regular basis.
• Ensures that all payments are properly coded to record against active projects and complete authorization
• Participates in the annual and bi-annual physical inventory and process and make the consolidation for reporting.
• Participates in donor and program budget preparation and preparation of detailed schedules for the budget. ·
• Ensures all coding and posting of transactions are accurate and complete, in line with approved project and budget lines. ·
• Prepares or review government reports as per government agreement.
• Ensures that after the month end, that information in relation to program budgets is communicated to field accountants and in turn program managers. ·
• Ensures that transactions are supported by adequate documentary evidence. ·
• Reviews payrolls to verify their accuracy, file the documents properly, and make sure that staff have proper allocation for donors as per donor budgets and fair, reasonable, and prudent allocation.
• Reviews all transactions prior to posting e.g., coding (nominal code and cost centers) and details of each transaction, and budgets: for final review by the Administration and Finance head
• Facilitates set-up of a new account, after verifying availability of budget for the account, and update finance forms and cashbooks accordingly.
• Ensures confidentiality of all ESD’s financial data, ensuring that no information is reported externally without the consent and knowledge of the Executive Directress ·
• Capacitates, guide and supervise respective subordinates, ensuring that all tasks as described by respective job descriptions have been carried out in a timely manner and to ensure tasks are completed with skill and competence to ensure the accuracy of accounting data.
• Carries out appraisals of all subordinates in an effective and timely manner in line with ESD’s human resources manual.
• Monitors cash & bank flows on daily basis and maintain close coordination with financial institutions to ensure smooth cash flows. Safeguard ESD cash from assessed/known risks.
• Assists field office finance teams during internal & external audit, donor specific audit, and any authorized third-party review of financial records.
• Maintains working relationships with ESD’s partners to ensure smooth financial implementation of projects through partners.
• Escalates any noted financial risks and fraud activities directly to finance and administration head
• Confirms that payments related to procurement have the necessary documentation as outlined in ESD’s procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services
• Ensures all financial transactions have the required supporting document
• Assists Finance and administration head to strengthen internal controls & internal controls environment.
• Assists the finance and administration head on the HR development of the organization
• Performs other assignments as required by the organization

Female applicants are highly encouraged

Job Requirements and Skills

• BA/MBA degree in accounting or any other related areas that can bring added value to the job from a recognized university/college
• Five years of experience in financial management in similar organization/s, with strong budget development and management experience
• Excellent written, oral, proofreading, branding, design oversight, interpersonal, and presentation skills,
• Competency of working in a multicultural society,
• Familiarity with relevant institutional donor regulations, policies, procedures and priorities,
• Demonstrated experience working on teams to produce deliverables under tight deadlines and with quality,
• Time management and planning skills
• Proficient knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Internal Control Fundamentals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify/resolve errors and prepare reports.
• Ability to take the initiative and manage projects assigned through completion with minimal supervision.
• Ability to motivate and work well with others.