About CRS: “Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.”
In Ethiopia, CRS has a long and rich history of providing emergency relief and development assistance to the people of Ethiopia since 1958. At present, CRS/Ethiopia implements multiple projects through different partner organizations. CRS/Ethiopia has a highly diverse portfolio currently focusing on community-based food and livelihood security through activities in agriculture, health, peacebuilding, WASH, emergency relief, and savings and lending. CRS is active in nearly all regions of Ethiopia: Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), Somali, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Dire Dawa Regions.
CRS strictly adheres to its Policy on Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults among its staff, consultants, volunteers, and affiliates. CRS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer: women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position
Position Title: Senior Officer, Finance (Operation)
Department: Finance
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Required no: 1
Employment type: Full time position
Reports To: Deputy Manager, Finance-Operation.
Purpose of the Position:
The Senior Finance Officer for Operations together with Finance Officer(s) forms the core team of finance professionals and are the key point of contact for Country Program specific finance issues. A key responsibility of the Senior Finance Officer Operations (SFOO) is to ensure sound financial capacity of CP, to ensure the overall coordination, leading and supervision of all functions in the Finance department (accounting, financial management, reporting and Sun Systems Administration). SFOO must also ensure compliance to policies, procedures, donors’ & local government requirements. Special responsibility of SFOO is to ensure that CRS’ private resources and donors’ grants are properly managed and all regulations/requirements applicable to those funds are fully complied. The SFOO serves as an advisor to the CP leadership on matters relating to financial management. The SFOO prepares financial information and interprets results to promote good stewardship and manage risks.
Job Responsibilities:
Financial Management and Analysis · Ensure that the country program’s financial accounting environment is in compliance with CRS’ policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations and legal requirements. · Ensure the overall accuracy of financial information recorded in the Country Program’s general ledger and reflected on the country program’s trial balance and other financial reports submitted to HQ, donors and other stakeholders. · Support the development and implementation of robust local financial systems and processes (e.g., payroll and cash management) as appropriate. · Ensure that all assets including cash, investments, inventories, accounts receivable, and fixed assets are accurately reflected on the trial balance. · Ensure timely posting of all financial transactions, including intra-agency and suspense transactions. · Support the development financial forecast analysis to assist in areas such as management of currency risk and cost allocation rates. · Carry out monthly analysis of the country program’s trial balance and other financial reports. Such reports include but are not limited to budget comparison reports, aging reports, grant liability reports, efficiency reports and currency exposure reports. · Oversee the reconciliation of fixed assets’ physical counts with Sun Systems records. · Ensure financial records and transactions, including those for charges received via the Intra-Agency process, are adequately supported as per CRS’ Documentation Policy and Document Retention Policy with due consideration of local laws and donors’ documentation requirements. Treasury · Prepare quarterly cash forecasts for submission to HQ, to ensure efficient management of cash flows. · Support the DFMO to ensure availability of sufficient, but not excessive, cash in the CP’s operating bank account · Ensure bank accounts are managed in accordance with finance and treasury policies. · Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are performed in accordance with the Bank Reconciliation Procedure for all bank accounts and approved bank reconciliation forms are submitted to the DFMO on timely basis.
Reporting Coordinate the month-end financial process and the timely entry of data into the ledger · Ensure timely production of monthly financial management reports based on the country program’s protocols. Such reports include but are not limited to budget comparison reports, receivables aging reports, grant liability reports, efficiency reports and currency exposure reports. · Ensure safe custody of documents used in the preparation of financial reports submitted to HQ, donors and local government entities based on CRS’ policies, local laws and donors’ requirements. When required, provide background information on the nature of costs to donors and other stakeholders. · Support timely and accurate financial year-end closure and submission of year-end reports. Grant Management · Support the generation and submission of monthly, quarterly and final financial reports to donors in accordance with donors’ regulations or as stated in agreements and CRS’ Grant Reporting Policy. · Ensure supporting documents are accurate, financial reports tie to the general ledger and the cost can logically and accurately be explained to donors and other stakeholders. · Analyze and reconcile grant liability balances on a regular basis. Liaise with Program Managers and/or Chiefs of Party and ensure that cash due from donors is collected in accordance with CRS policies and donors’ terms and conditions. · Provide information for the ongoing financial management of grants and related cost-shares through timely communication with program managers, to ensure budgets are not overspent or significantly under-spent. · Generate information to support the timely and complete closure of all expired grants and cost shares in conjunction with HQ/Finance. Risk Management and Compliance · Ensure adherence to the Agency’s financial policies and procedures and compliance with all donors’ financial requirements. · In close collaboration with the DFM Head of Finance and other managers, conduct and document internal control assessments annually and develop action plans to address weaknesses within a reasonable time, using the Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ). · Support the DFMO to ensure findings related to financial management are closed within the prescribed deadlines. · Understand and keep abreast of changes in the local legal environment, and ensure that CRS adheres to local laws that pertain to taxation and other areas of financial management. Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of recording of accruals related to agency receivables.
Finance Personnel Management and Overall Capacity Strengthening · Assists in the recruitment, training and development of a competent pool of finance staff that can effectively discharge the mandate of finance function. · Encourage teamwork and facilitate job enrichment to involve team members in activities beyond their defined job descriptions. Representation and Confidentiality · Attend and actively participate during operations management meetings. · Keep all documents in your custody and information related to CRS’ financial activities confidential. |
Education and Experience
· MA/BA degree in Finance, Financial Management or related field with 3 years’ relevant experience for MA or 6 years' relevant experience for BA degree
· ACCA Certification is desired
· At least 6 years for first degree and 3 years for second degree of relevant experience is required (accounting and financial management duties for international agencies).
· Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, Word and Access.
· Knowledge of CRS finance, accounting, and budgeting policies, procedures and standards preferred.
· Experience with accounting systems required; Sun Systems experience preferred.
· Fluency in written and spoken English; excellent written and oral communication skills.
· Training and knowledge of USG Financial Management regulations.
· Demonstrated strengths in financial management with a strong client service focus; able to work with diverse groups of people and team oriented environment
· Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties
· Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines
· Problem analysis and problem resolution at functional level
· Able to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment
· Strong customer orientation
· Able to work independently
· Able to adapt and learn
· Strong organization and planning skills, detail oriented
· Maturity and discretion, able to work with, and maintain confidential information.
Emergency Competencies:
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Communicates strategically under pressure
· Manages stress and complexity
· Actively promotes safety and security
· Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Serves with Integrity
· Models Stewardship
· Cultivates Constructive Relationships
· Promotes Learning