Chemonics International, Inc., is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 95 countries, that is implementing the USAID funded Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project in Ethiopia.

Chemonics seeks a Bookkeeper for the USAID Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Activity. The purpose of this Activity will be to support accelerated access to safe, adequate, inclusive, and resilient WASH services targeting urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity will work to achieve this through four complementary objectives: 1) Enable and professionalize WASH service providers; 2) Foster markets for pro-poor and inclusive WASH services; 3) Strengthen WASH planning, budgeting, and service delivery oversight; and 4) Strengthen accountability among urban WASH sector actors.

The Finance Assistant will be responsible for assisting the Accountant in implementing the accounting and financial systems, ensuring accounting database maintenance. The Finance Assistant will provide financial assistance to the Activity and in accordance with Chemonics’ highest standards and USAID regulations. This position reports to the accountant and is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Responsibilities: 

• Maintain a proper accounting department, checking the Activity’s internal control system to ensure that the policies and procedures are being adhered to, including Prepare checks, receipts, and journals,
• Verify all payments before approval by the finance/accounting manager,
• Enter data entry of all approved vouchers into the web-based software system (the Chemonics Field Office accounting system),
• Maintain the web-based system and prepare monthly locals according to Activity guidelines,
• Assures that all back-up and approvals are available before the accountant makes payment,
• Responsible for maintaining proper financial data and financial files,
• Scans all accounting documents daily and upload on share point for review ,
• Performs administrative and financial tasks such as processing expense reports, travel advances, and contact with vendors,
• Support with facilitating and coordinating per diem and transportation payments for participants and trainees at training and workshop sites
• Works with the procurement specialist to ensure that internal policies are followed as it relates to financial documentation in the procurement process,
• Assists in compiling and reviewing timesheets so that payroll is processed in a timely and accurate fashion,
• Prepare and submit the monthly VAT claim report to USAID and local tax authorities
• Record the VAT claims on tracking sheet and assist the VAT tracking reconciliation with the ledger
• Responsible for being a liaison to Banks, Vendors, ERCA and other stakeholders and support in delivering Transfer Letter, collection Bank advice and invoices.
• Assist with Tracking Withholding TAX invoices and project expenditure in a daily bases
• Track and record monthly expenditures on the E-TAX site in compliance with ERCA regulations
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Account or designee.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Management, Accounting, or a related field
• At least two (2) years of relevant bookkeeping, financial management and/or accounting experience in Ethiopia
• Knowledge of basic accounting and accounting practices is required, as well as general accounting best practices in Ethiopia
• Ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with fellow staff members, visitors, the public, and partner institutions including international and local NGOs, and governmental entities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize multiple work assignments in an extremely fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, and exercise good, professional judgment that reflects positively on the image and communicates the established program message of the project
• Demonstrated knowledge and extensive experience with USAID regulations and control systems preferred
• Experience on international donor-funded projects is a plus
• Ability to effectively use computer software including financial management applications and Microsoft Office. Demonstrated high proficiency with Excel spreadsheet applications is required.
• Experience using ABACUS software is preferred
• Fluency in written and oral English is required. Working proficiency in Amharic is strongly preferred.