The Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) invites competent and qualified candidates to apply for the vacant post of Finance Manager of which the detail requirements are mentioned here below.

Brief Highlight of EWLA: Established in 1995, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) is a non-governmental, non-partisan and not-for- profit local organization mainly working for the promotion and advancement of women’s rights in the country. It strives towards ensuring gender equality and women empowerment through fighting Gender Based Violence and Violence against Women and Children. Since its establishment, EWLA has provided free legal aid service for needy women and children through its structures stretched from its head office in Addis Ababa to the branch offices in Adama, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Gambella, Asosa, Jigjiiga, Semera regions and city administration of Dire Dawa. EWLA has also a structure at grass-roots level in which there are strong 55 Volunteer Committees at zonal and woreda levels of its intervention areas.

The association is head quartered in Addis Ababa and has opened its regional offices in seven regions and one city administration namely 

Duties and responsibilities

•  The Finance Manager will have the following duties and responsibilities:

 General Responsibilities:

• Ensure implementation of EWLA’s financial manual.

• Makes substantive recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning, restructuring, and resolution of sensitive issues taking into account the prevailing conditions in the organization;

• Adapts & implements EWLA policies and procedures for asset management and general financial services. Identify shortcomings and opportunities for improvement in existing procedures;

• Manages properties of administrative supplies, office equipment and vehicles, updating inventory of items, serving as ex-officio member to the property inventory team and ensuring follow-up action;

• Ensures Program is in compliance with internal control policies related to the financial and administrative components, according to EWLA’s procedures and donor's requirements;

• Participates in EWLA program strategy, development, planning and preview/review meetings to identify financial and administrative requirements;

• Develops and maintain effective working relations with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners relating to financial matters for enhancement of information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization;

• Ensures accurate and timely processing and recording of disbursements and payments, travel claims, provident fund, advances etc, in accordance with established rules, regulations, and systems and within budgetary limits;

Financial Management:

• Maintain a proper accounting system and ensure that all books and accounting documents are properly kept.

• Ensure that all payments to and by EWLA are effected in accordance with the financial manual.

• Facilitate the periodic audit report of the Association.

• Submit periodic financial reports to the Executive Directress, the management team and the Board and Donors as required.

• Prepare the annual budget of EWLA and administer its application after approval.

• Systematize and follow up the branch office’s financial activities

• Follow up timely preparation of the budget versus Actual expenditure of the Association

• Perform under the knowledge and skills of IPSAS which is completed accounting and Microsoft Excel software as a Mandatory.

• Report /Reconciliation and follow up the recording of each payment according to its budget code.

• Follow up timely payment of income tax, withholding tax and pension to the pertinent government organ 

• Ensures the timely and cost-effective provision of basic office services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity;

• Ensures financial stewardship and accountability at all levels of financial operations;

• Ensures the integrity of financial management systems and proper internal controls exist and are followed for all financial activities of the project;

• Ensures timely and quality information for all financial reporting requirements by the donor;

• Ensures that annual audit is conducted according to procedures, the timely closure of audit recommendations, documentation and preparation of a plan of action and audit corrective measures are followed;

• Supervises bank relations and bank account activities including transfers, fees, and interest and currency exchange rates;

Administrative Roles:

• Evaluate the performance of employees at immediate supervision.

• Ensures new and departing staff are briefed on financial procedures and requirements;

• Supervises travel-related service for project staff and provide guidance, support, and oversight in relation to all travel including short term consultants;

• Coordinates the duties and responsibilities of subordinate staff members;

• Keeps leadership informed about significant operational variances from budget or other financial issues. Supervises the preparation of cash flow and cash transfer requests and ensures that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate smooth program implementation;

•  Supervises the Finance unit staff and ensure that EWLA's Financial & Human Resources Rules & Regulations, Policies and procedures and day to day guidelines are complied with;

• Ensures and check that staff recruitment, selection, hiring and development process are in accordance with EWLA Human Resource polices and procedure;

• Ensures that staff performance and attendance activities are monitored under him/her;

• Develops staff benefit polices in collaboration with human resources and management team;

• Ensures that staff contract management is handled properly and staff benefits and severance fees are paid on time when contract terminates;

Technical Support:

• Assist program staffs at the time of budget preparing.

• Contributes to EWLA strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on financial matters as necessary;

• Provides technical input to the establishment of financial guidelines in close coordination with Executive directress and management team;

• Keeps program managers abreast of potential problem areas, and identify and recommend solutions;

• Undertakes field visit to review financial arrangements and make appropriate recommendations as required;

• Ensures that all required support and logistics are in place to run EWLA project activities;

• Advises and recommend to the Executive Director when deviation from rules and regulations may be required and propose alternative solutions to meet organization objectives.;

• Advises the Executive directress and update financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations, providing authoritative advice financial support;

• Oversees financial support and services to field offices;

• Collaborates with Program & other managers to work effectively and cost efficiently, by coordinating activities that require shared resources;

• Undertakes visits to field offices to provide accounting and finance training to counterparts and support, establish and/or review systems and procedures for compliance with rules and regulations, and prepare report and recommendations;

• Carries out other related functions which may be assigned by the Executive Directress.

Reporting Relationship:

• The Finance Manager is accountable to general directives form the Executive Directress and shall report to her.

• Competencies

• Flexible and adaptable

• Ability to work well under pressure

• Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the EWLA’s values and ethical standards

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of EWLA

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions and deadlines

• Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing Priorities and competing deadlines;

• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support;

Required Number: - One

Location/Place of work:  Addis Ababa

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: As per the Association’s scale

Duration: One-year contract with possibility of Extension

Application deadline: - 25th June 2023

Job Requirements

Required Skills and Experience

• 10 years’ experience for BA or 8 years’ experience for MA or BA Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field of study in addition to this 3- or 4-year Management or leadership position.

•  NGO/CSO areas experience

•  Experience in IPSAS Financial Reporting Plus.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and application letter along with supporting documents via email: ewlajobs2020@gmail.com or in person at EWLA Head Office, located in Bulgaria Mazoria, Behind, St. Michael Church, For more information Contact Tel. +251993646532/0974320283

NB! Please write "Finance Manager" as the subject line of your email

Women are highly encouraged to apply!