ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) is a non-profit private foundation headquartered in Brussels a global remit. ECES promotes sustainable democratic development through the provision of advisory services and operational support in favor of all electoral stakeholders, including electoral management bodies, civil society organizations dealing with civic & voter education and election observation, political parties and parliaments dealing with electoral reforms, media, security forces and legal institutions dealing to electoral dispute resolutions.  

Since February 2012, ECES has signed over 60 contracts in support of transparent, credible and cost-effective electoral processes and the strengthening of democratic institutions in more than 35 countries mainly, but not only, in Africa and Middle East. In addition to that, the founders and personnel of ECES have acquired extensive field experience and, taken together, ECES can count on a specific knowledge and a well-established network in over 70 countries around the world. The EU is by far the largest ECES’ donor, however the organization has also signed contracts and partnered with many other organizations. 

PROJECT CONTEXT

The EU in Ethiopia is funding a long-term support strategy within the framework of democratic development and support to good governance. Actions in support of democratisation and respect for human rights, including the right to participate in the establishment of governments through free and fair elections, can make a major contribution to peace, security and the prevention of conflicts. The project will be implemented along the lines of a specific and copyrighted approach developed by ECES entitled the European Response on Electoral Cycle Support (EURECS) – which is also the title of the first project. This project is fully funded by the EU through the European Development Fund (EDF).

The EURECS project, fully funded by the European Development Fund (EDF), seeks to strengthen the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) in order to raise the profile of an independent, credible and effective institution that will deliver inclusive and democratic electoral processes in Ethiopia. The action seeks to contribute to enhance the transparency, credibility and public confidence in the NEBE, as well as in the electoral process recognizing the high expectations on the 2020 elections as the starting point for a paradigm shift in the conduct of elections in the country.

The action of the EURECS in Ethiopia is built around the three main result areas as follows:

• NEBE’s leadership and strategic management capacity is improved and it’s perceived by the citizens as an independent institution;
• NEBE’s core institutional capacities are reinforced and it is able to conduct a credible electoral process;
• The Liaison between NEBE and external groups are strengthened and the electoral process is more inclusive.
• The project is implemented by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) in partnership with Ethiopia-based Forum of Federations and GoInnonvation. The activities of the EURECS activities will start and end within 36-month time-frame (October 2019 – September 2022) in view to leave behind durable tools and capacities for long-term sustainability in the country of Ethiopia.

FUNCTIONS – KEY RESULTS EXPECTED 

Under the guidance of the Finances & Administration Manager and the ECES Country Representative, the Project accountant will have the following specific responsibilities and will provide the following deliverables:

• Work in close collaboration with the Finances & Administration Manager the Administration and Finances Officer to oversee the establishment and proper maintenance of the finance and accounts in accordance with ECES and donor’s financial rules and procedures;
• Support the Finances & Administration Manager the Administration and Finances Officer in project budget monitoring and revision;

• Daily maintain the finances journal
• Contribute to annual and periodic project’s budget plans;
• Prepare, implement and review the funding of the budget and actual annual cash flows and ensure adequate follow up;
• Maintain petty cash transactions, including writing receipts, preparing payment request forms, disbursement of cash and clearance of advances;
• Under the supervision and upon approval of the Finances & Administration Manager the Administration and Administration & Finances Officer, operate banking transactions related to the project, including preparing bank transfer requests, submitting them to the bank, monitoring transfers and preparing monthly bank reconciliation statements and reporting;
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts and maintain records on file;
• Prepare periodic statement of expenditure reports and fund replenishment requests, carefully checking and inspecting all supporting documents;
• Contribute to the use and maintenance of the project accounting information system;
• Contribute to the preparation of external financial audits and project financial reports;
• Monitor and ensure expenditure of project funding is made in accordance with Project SoP and Donor’s procedures;
• Ensure that documentation relating to payments are duly approved;
• Report any actual or potential financial issues to the Finances & Administration Manager the Administration and Finances Officer;
• Continuously improve systems & procedures to enhance internal controls to satisfy audit
• Requirements;
• Maintain an inventory file to support purchases of all equipment/assets;
• Assist the Project Coordinator and the Finances & Administration Manager on demand.

VALUES

• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of ECES;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ECES’ values and ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor Degree in accounting, finance or any related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in accounting work;
• Solid experience in budgeting, planning and reporting;
• Good knowledge of administrative and accounting regulation and procedures;
• Ability to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines;
• Sound analytical judgment;
• Good knowledge of Excel