Project Description
FHI 360’s Alive & Thrive (A&T) in Ethiopia is currently implementing a Food System and Nutrition Multisectoral Coordination and Governance Strengthening Project to support the Government of Ethiopia in advancing its national food systems and nutrition agenda. Building on Ethiopia’s Food and Nutrition Strategy (FNS), the Ethiopian Food System Transformation (EFST) Roadmap, and the Seqota Declaration, the project focuses on strengthening government-led multisectoral coordination, leadership, accountability, and governance systems across federal, regional, and woreda levels. Through targeted technical assistance and systems strengthening support, the project aims to institutionalize Food Systems and Nutrition Councils and Technical Committees, enhance data use, improve planning and resource alignment, and reinforce the capacity of government institutions to coordinate, implement, monitor, and sustain integrated nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. The initiative prioritizes building durable, government-owned structures and reducing reliance on partner-driven mechanisms, contributing to improved nutrition outcomes while enhancing Ethiopia’s resilience, sustainability, and inclusive development.
Job Summary:
The Finance Officer initiates and coordinates day-to-day financial and accounting operations for the Expanding Multi-sectoral Nutrition Financing and Governance in Ethiopia project, ensuring effective financial monitoring, accurate documentation, and strong support to both finance and operations staff. This role leads the financial cycle by originating transactions and guiding them through verification, approval, reconciliation, and final payment processing—while maintaining strict compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The position takes the lead in initiating reviews of monthly financial reports, balance sheet reconciliations, and detailed budget analyses to sustain project funds and organizational fiscal well-being. The Finance Officer is responsible for proactively initiating the identification and resolution of discrepancies, variances, and compliance issues, while delivering high-level analytical insights to management and project teams. In addition, the Finance Officer actively participates in a range of accounting projects, including internal and external audits, system upgrades, and improvements to accounting processes and procedures, as well as other assignments required.
Accountabilities:
- Financial Transaction Initiation & Recording
- Initiates, processes, and records journal entries and financial transactions in the finance systems i.e. DPA&GFAS in compliance with GAAP, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
- Maintains general ledger accounts, supporting sub-ledgers, and reconciles accounts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Analyzes financial information, prepares budget forecasts, and compiles moderately complex data to support timely project financial management.
- Prepares monthly financial reports, balance sheet reconciliations, and project activity reports, providing clear explanations for discrepancies, variances, and deviations.
- Prepares reports and statements requiring interpretation and analysis of trends, risks, and compliance issues.
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensures full compliance with donor rules, government regulations, and internal policies.
- Assists with internal and external audit requests, prepares risk assessment reports, and recommends improvements to internal financial control systems.
- Evaluates fiscal and operational policies, assesses service impacts, and makes recommendations on best practices to enhance project financial performance.
- Systems & Process Improvement
- Applies updated financial information systems and digital tools to improve workflow efficiency and financial procedures.
- Implements new or changing accounting and reporting systems.
- Implements financial processes and procedures in response to changes in corporate policies, donor guidelines, laws, or industry practices.
- Capacity Building & Communication
- Provides training and guidance to project teams and country offices on financial systems, processes, and compliance requirements.
- Prepares and delivers formal financial presentations tailored to diverse audiences, including program teams and management.
- Documents complex financial issues, prepares clear written analyses, and communicates findings, risks, and recommendations to project leadership and stakeholders.
- Collaboration & Relationship Management
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with project teams, consultants, program managers, and finance/operations staff to ensure coordinated financial processes.
- Interacts with project staff to troubleshoot and resolve financial or operational issues.
- Establishes and maintains professional working relationships to ensure smooth coordination and effective communication on financial matters.
- Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise
- Serves as a subject matter expert on financial processes and compliance.
- Contributes actively to meeting organizational and donor financial goals through independent resolution of moderately complex financial issues.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
- Applies expert knowledge of current federal, state and local government programs. Applies expert level technical and administrative knowledge of the rules and regulations in the subject area and defends analyses and recommendations relating to a variety of issues.
- Has a thorough knowledge of external regulations as well as internal corporate policies and procedures.
- 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.
- Demonstrated project and organizational skills.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify/resolve errors and prepare reports.
- Ability to motivate and work well with others.
Problem Solving & Impact:
- Analyzes complex technical matters involving existing and emerging issues pertaining to finances and makes recommendations from the analysis.
- Recommends and/or takes corrective action when necessary based on acquired knowledge and observation of best practices.
- Has influence on the overall objectives and long-range goals of the organization.
- Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve objectives would normally have a serious effect upon the administration of the organization.
Supervision Given/Received:
- Work is performed with minimal direction. Participates in determining objectives of assignment.
- Plans schedules and arranges own activities in accomplishing objectives.
- Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
- Implements departmental work plans and provides input for performance reviews.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., ACCA, CPA) is an added advantage.
Experience:
- Typically requires a minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting, finance and operational management experience in a government contracting environment coupled with internal control reviews.
- Experience applying U.S. Government grants, contracting and auditing standards as they apply to effective management of multi-year funds
- Proven experience in transferring knowledge into operational plan with clients collaboration and sustainable buy- in.
- Substantial experience using computerized financial information systems.
- Articulate, professional and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English; fluent in host country language as appropriate.
- Demonstrated team leader experience in finance, auditing or accounting department preferred.
Typical Physical Demands:
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Technology to be Used:
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
- Less than 10%
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
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