PRIMARY PURPOSE: The position of the Head of Finance manages the Department of Finance at the Hawassa Catholic Secretariat (AWCS), the main coordinating office for the Ethiopia Catholic Church serving southern Ethiopia. He / she is expected to drive best practices in financial management within AWCS, including budgeting, accounting, comprehensive and timely reporting, audit facilitation and monitoring to ensure compliance to all necessary government and donor partner policies and standard accounting practices. Given the immediate need for improved financial management processes, the Head of Finance will lead an aggressive restructuring of all AWCS‘ financial management systems.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversee all financial, project/programme and grants accounting; review and reconcile monthly bank statements for all bank accounts; oversee cash management practices
Compile and present financial analysis reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements to internal and external stakeholders; consolidate financial reporting; prepare financial reporting for different donor segments and target groups tracking actual expenditure versus budget.
Provide adequate reporting formats
Coordinate and lead the annual audit process; liaise with internal and external auditors; assess any changes necessary.
Oversee and lead the annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Diocesan Director, Executive Development Coordinator and the individual programme coordinators; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; provide financial analysis to the programme co-ordinators and others as required.
Manage organisational cash flow and forecasting.
Implement all necessary government policies and standard accounting practices; continuously improve the department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
Lead financial management restructuring process at the AWCS:
Develop improved financial management system, procedures and policies
Configure Peachtree accounting software and design/print needed vouchers, report formats, etc. to support the new procedures
Update the financial management manual as changes are undertaken
Provide training to Vicariate personnel on new procedures
Monitor progress of restructuring activities according to implementation timeline
Follow and implement the directives and policies established by the Hawassa Catholic Church Bishop and Secretariat management.
To work in the spirit of upholding the general Christian Catholic principles and values showing faith in God, love for one’s family and neighbor, compliance with the laws of Ethiopia, and respect for different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Keep all financial information of AWCS strictly confidential
Job Requirement
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
Education and Experience:
Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration and / or Accounting
Minimum of 10 years experience in Financial Management
Minimum of 5 years experience in leading a team
***Applicants who do not meet these above qualifications will not be considered
Experience working in an NGO is highly valued
Skills:
Fluent English with excellent writing and verbal communication skills
Excellent computer skills (Peachtree Accounting Software, Microsoft Office, especially Excel)
Strong organizational and leadership skills
Experience leading organizational change and restructuring
Personal characteristics:
High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit