Ethiopia: Finance and Administration Director TRANSFORM / Developing Regional States, Ethiopia - Ethiopia

Save the Children is currently pursuing a five-year, approximately $30M USAID-funded grant which is part of the TRANSFORM family of activities focused on supporting the Government of Ethiopia to end preventable deaths for children and their mothers, ensuring equitable coverage of proven, high-impact maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition interventions in the four developing regional states of Afar, Bensahngul-Gumuz, Gambella and Somali. Availability of the position is contingent upon issuance of a USAID funding mechanism, and selection of applicants is subject to USAID approval.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact

The Finance and Administration Director is responsible for overseeing project finances and other operational and administrative duties for this five-year grant funded by USAID which is designed to increase the utilization of health services by strengthening the Government of Ethiopia’s health system and enhancing service quality and management capacity at the DRS level in Ethiopia. The Director will supervise all grant management and reporting on program performance as well as provide financial and technical management to ensure best use of resources by preparing sound budgets, monitoring project expenses, and ensuring timely preparation of donor financial reports.

This Director-level position is a key position on this program team and will report directly to the Chief of Party. S/he will also ensure that an appropriate structure exists to ensure effective support of field operations and to protect the integrity of the country office financial and administrative operations. The position will be based in Addis Ababa, and will require travel across the region and to program areas. The Director will also need to maintain consistent coordination and teamwork with other senior positions and individuals working on this program as well as with donor guidelines.

• Monitor budgets to ensure that spending occurs as planned and that variances are anticipated, noted, and corrected; ensure that key program personnel are aware of budgetary resources and are able to monitor their budgets respectively


• Ensure all financial plans, invoices, reports, and other documents are accurate, timely, and consistent with agency and USAID guidelines and regulations


• In close coordination with the finance staff, maintain and update all the financial documents (reports, plans) and ensure confidentiality of project financial information


• Review and consolidation of monthly financial reports for distribution to senior management


• Review and consolidation of monthly sub-office accounts and reports to ensure accuracy and to provide regular feedback to the senior leadership team


• Prepare any budget revisions and projections and respond to any questions


• Confirm availability of funds for all requests for payment or charges to grants


• Prepare quarterly reports, projections, and any other required donor submissions


• Review and submit reports to Save the Children headquarters


• Prepare a consolidated annual fiscal report, including a cumulative life of project report


• Ensure that an appropriate segregation of duties exists to ensure effective support of field operations and to protect the integrity of the country office finance and administrative operations


• Prepare and revise finance and operation guidelines in order that they adhere to SC requirements


• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and deliverables in line with USAID regulations and SC policies and procedures.


• Manage the reporting component of the award including collecting timesheets and reconciling them with the financial reports; oversee other administrative duties as needed


• Actively participate in all award specific audit and donor assessments

Required Background and Experience, Skills and Behaviors

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or other relevant field and a professional qualification in accounting desirable


• A minimum of five years’ experience in the management of programs funded by the U.S. Government, including experience managing finance for USAID-funded projects, or other donors


• In-depth knowledge of USAID financial management rules and regulations required


• Demonstrated strong analytical, interpersonal and multi-tasking skills


• Excellent leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage and work effectively in team situations


• Proven ability to prepare budgets and donor financial reports


• Demonstrated capacity and prior experience in supervising others as a coach/mentor to train staff and develop financial skills of colleagues


• Excellent oral and written communication skills; Advanced skills in ICT are required


• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Amharic is highly desirable;


• Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.