Head of Finance & Compliance

Job Description

Internal/External

CST Ethiopia represents the overseas development and humanitarian agencies of the Catholic Church from England and Wales (CAFOD), Scotland (SCIAF), and Ireland (Trócaire) in Ethiopia. The three agencies have over 40 years of experience in international development and humanitarian response and are members of worldwide networks, including Caritas Internationalis. The three agencies jointly operate a single, integrated country programme in Ethiopia through the legal entity CST Ethiopia. CST Ethiopia works in partnership with local church and non-church organisations, supporting communities in Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regions.

The CST Ethiopia country office Addis Ababa takes overall responsibility for implementing the CST Ethiopia country programme, which currently focuses on resilient communities (sustainable livelihoods and humanitarian preparedness & response) and women’s empowerment. CST Ethiopia works with a portfolio of circa 21 local partner organisations. 

Due to ongoing significant growth and expansion of the country office and programs, CST Ethiopia is currently recruiting for a Head of Finance & Compliance position.  The Head of Finance & Compliance is a strategic member of the Country Management Team (CMT) with responsibility for leading the CST Ethiopia Finance Team and oversight and overall financial management of the Country Office. Head of Finance & Compliance based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and reports to the Country Director.

The Head of Finance & Compliance role will be based in CST Ethiopia’s office in Addis Ababa.  CST Ethiopia is first and foremost a partnership agency, supporting local and national civil society organisations to support communities. All our work is carried out in partnership with local and national actors, funded by multiple institutional funders. This is a strategic finance role which requires the role holder to provide financial insights to facilitate decision-making by the CMT.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, CST Ethiopia offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Commitment to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse -

CST Ethiopia is committed to Safeguarding people within our programmes from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) that outlines the expected behaviour and responsibility of all staff, consultants, and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with CST Ethiopia will be expected to sign CST, i.e. Trócaire’s, Safeguarding Policies, Global Code of Conduct, and other integrity policies within a month of joining CST as an appendices to their contract of employment. All employees of CST must agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Institutional funding

• Strategic risk management of multiple institutional funds including development of solutions to mitigate any implementation issues, scenario planning and risk assessment of funding opportunities. 
• Lead on development of institutional donor proposal budget preparation process and donor financial reports in coordination with Head of Operations, Programme Finance colleagues, the Business Development Manager, and relevant programme colleagues.
• Plan and coordinate institutional donor project external audits.
• In coordination with the Business Development and Compliance Manager, provide all relevant information for institutional donor due diligence processes.
• Ensure that all institutional donor fund cost recovery is implemented, reviewed, and updated as agreed by the Country Management Team.
• Provide a strategic analysis of the country budget, regarding the projected income from external donors.
• Maintain a live repository of donor financial compliance requirements and ensure these are being met.
• Finance lead point of contact with Institutional funders regarding financial compliance.  Follow up on the fund/Institutional funds reconciliation process on an ongoing basis until consumption of all related funds. Ensure that an internal final report is prepared with an overview of expenditure.
• Ensure that the partner grants transfer mechanism (using the cash/fund transfer agencies) is reviewed, updated, and implemented to facilitate a smooth grant transfer in a cost-effective manner to partners to implement the approved projects

Organisational Financial Controls & Reporting

• Oversight of the timely & accurate preparation of monthly management accounts for budget-holders and country management to ensure that management can monitor budget utilisation and take appropriate action on any significant variances.
• Closely monitor financial activities and strategically advise the Country Director about situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management.
• Manager of relationship with external auditors – for organisational audit and Ethiopia specific audit. This includes preparation of year-end accounts and any documentation requirements as required.
• Ensure strong controls over cash & bank management are constantly monitored & updated to minimise the risk of fraud or misappropriation. Act as a key account signatory for country office bank accounts.
• Compliance with all tax and legal requirements for country office including but not limited to payroll taxes ad VAT.
• Ensure that all financial records & accounts are compiled timely, accurately and in line with international accounting standards & donor regulations.
• Administering core payroll services including processing monthly payroll and statutory and internal deductions, maintaining payroll records, and issuing of monthly pay slips.

Organisational Budgeting and Financial Management

• Input into preparation of the annual country budget and quarterly budget reviews (programme, cost recovery and programme support elements).
• Build strong working relationship with HQ finance team. Attend and actively contribute to Global Finance meetings as required.  Proactively manage foreign exchange risk in country and partner budgets.  Analyse, prepare and submit, to Trócaire HQ, country cash flow projections in line with various budgets.
• Provide strategic finance leadership to CST Ethiopia management team through analysis of financial information including budget v expenditure, monthly tracking, exception reporting etc.

Finance and Governance in Partner Organisations

• Oversee and coordinate the Finance team in Ethiopia to support the work of programme staff by reviewing partners’ project financial reports and providing financial information for decision-making. CST Ethiopia supports around 20 local partner organisations.
• Ensure partner financial capacity assessment (MRA and PCAS) and lead partner financial capacity building process.'
• Coordinate the Programme Finance calendar of quarterly and annual reporting of project and programme expenditure to ensure these reports are completed within set timelines and in line with the requirements of the Trócaire partner governance & finance manual and donor compliance requirements.
• Lead the provision of financial technical support to partner organisations, ensuring they are aware of the financial standards and requirements, and have adequate technical capacity. Where partners may need further support, provide guidance to the programme accountants on the framework for capacity strengthening.

Other responsibilities

• Deliver tailored finance trainings to CST Ethiopia staff and partner organisations specifically on Agresso and major IF donors’ compliance requirements in coordination with Programme Finance colleagues.
• Ensure Trocaire's Performance system, demonstrating high standard of accountability and transparency
• Develop and maintain good professional relationship with colleagues, service providers and staff of other agencies
• Ensure compliance with all Trócaire policies and procedures, and that the Finance team adhere to organisational policies such as (HR policies, Safeguarding policies, etc)
•  In consultation with the CMT ensure CST Ethiopia have adequate finance team; lead recruitment of finance staff as required.
•  Ensure appropriate induction and performance management process in the finance team.
• Any other task, which may be assigned from time to time by the CD commensurate with the general thrust of this JD.

Behavioural Competencies in Line with CST Ethiopia’s Competency Framework

• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating CST Ethiopia’s values with integrity to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations, and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as one organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging CST Ethiopia’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability

Scope of Role - CST Ethiopia country office including CST Ethiopia Mekelle Field Office 

Managing (Individuals/Team) - Directly line manages 5 staff (4 Programme accountants and one financial accountant)

Contract Type - Fixed term contract

Contract Duration - 24 months

Location of Position - Addis Ababa

Job Requirement

• University Master’s Degree in Accounting or Business Administration
• Professional accountancy qualifications e.g. CPA, ACCA or CIMA (proof of qualification required)

• Minimum eight years profession experience in a finance role, including proven experience (at least 5 years) in a managerial role.
• Prior experience of managing the finances for large budgets including the reviewing and preparation of financial reports.
• Prior experience of managing large donor budgets and extensive knowledge of donor compliance requirements. 
• Experience of working with multi-currency budgets and foreign exchange risk management.
• Prior experience of working with EU grants would be desirable.

• Previous experience in a recognised accounting package e.g. Sage, Agresso, SAP or other.
• Excellent Excel skills including financial modelling.

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Strong coordination skills specifically with the ability to effectively coordinate with local partners and among internal team members (technical, finance, management).
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through, training, mentorship, and accompaniment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication and networking skills, including the ability to relate across different organisational functions, structures, levels, and cultures.
• Understanding of, and empathy with, the role of the Catholic Church in development
• A strong commitment to social justice, and an empathy with the ethos and work of CST Ethiopia
• A commitment to strengthening and supporting the work of local partners

• Ability and willingness to travel within country and internationally, including travel to HQ in Europe
• Fluency in English and Amharic languages.