Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  

Reports to: Program support & Finance Manger   

Position Type: Full-time, Fixed Term 

Language requirements: English and Amharic  

Remarks: Frequent Travel to the Project location - Benishangul Gumuz Regional State  

SUMMARY 

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organisation that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalised groups. Together with our partners. we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion. Improve economic resilience and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better future. Cuso International presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC). We have been working in Ethiopia since July 2015 by obtaining an official licence from Authority for Civil Society Organizations.  

With a funding of Global Affairs of Canada (GAC), Cuso International, in partnership with Institute of International Education (IIE), has been delivering Promoting Greater Access to University for Girls (U-GIRLS 2) Project in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia since June 2020. U-GIRLS 2 Project addresses a number of barriers that impede adolescent girls’ education and enhances academic, social and soft skills for adolescent girls, including those with disabilities. In addition, the project focuses in strengthening the capacity of teachers and education institutions to deliver quality and gender-sensitive education. The initiative seeks to adopt a holistic and transformational approach to address barriers to girls’ higher educations, including through community engagement. U-GIRLS 2 Project has been implemented in selected seven high schools of BSG Regional State.  

Reporting directly to the Program Support & Finance Manager, the Finance & Admin Officer will handle the project’s administrative, logistical, accounting and financial systems in accordance with Cuso International requirements and will provide administrative support to volunteers.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Ensure all financial transactions relating to volunteers, programs and administration are processed effectively and in a timely manner, consistently with Cuso International financial policies and procedures; 

• Monitor, verify and follow up on payments for authorized expenditures and facilitate payments during workshops/trainings or events;  

• Process staff reimbursement, petty cash payments and reconciliations  

• Handle and manage per diem payments in trainings and workshops 

• For each training, prepares training participants payment sheet and make the payments accordingly, making sure that all necessary documents (e.g. attendance, woreda letters, transport tickets) are collected  and attached to the payment sheets 

• Facilitate training payments by traveling to designated  project training sites. 

• Follow up and assist in the timely settlement of staff perdiem, work advances, review travel expense reports to ensure that they have complete documentation accurately, and comply with applicable Cuso International policies and procedures 

• Follow up the preparation of cyclical monthly payment request (e.g. students stipend, school coordinators, mentors, tutorial class, training refreshment, etc) and effect the payment as per the standard payment schedules timely.  

• Diligently operate and maintain accurate records of petty cash operations; 

• Post entries into the financial system; 

• Weekly reviews of bank statements, post entries into cash book, 

• Prepares the monthly balance sheet account reconciliations 

• Maintains accounts payables and receivables in order to ensure complete and accurate records of moneys 

• Prepares and issues cheques for all accounts due and entered in the system 

• Prepares and submits monthly project financial reports 

• Put PAID stamp for all paid vouchers with reference number 

• Keep proper and safe documentation of accounting files, in a secured place with limited access from other staff not working directly in the Accounting team 

• Ensure proper accounting for external funding in accordance with the donor’s requirements; 

• Participate in the preparation of the annual budget of the CPO and produce periodic performance-to-budget reports, as required; 

• Support the CPO in the implementation of the annual budget, in compliance with Cuso International finance policies and procedures; 

• Support the development of budgets for externally funded projects; 

• Be the lead reference point in the office for IT and ensuring adequate support is provided by liaising with Cuso IT staff and external IT service providers as needed. 

• Follow up proper functioning and maintenance of the office equipment’s  (Printers, Scanner, Computers, Telephone, Generator, Toilet) 

• Monitor the cleanness of the CPO and Assosa Project Office and provide regular feedback to the respective responsible persons to ensure cleanness of the working environment for the staff  

• Monitor and follow up rental vehicle usage and Cuso vehicle fuel consumption.  

• Maintains and updates Office Equipment’s records. Attach Asset Tag number to all Equipment. Participate in physical count of equipment and supplies. 

• Undertake specific additional responsibilities from time-to-time, as may be agreed upon with the Line Manager. 

Job Requirements

Essential: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field; 

• 5+ years of experience in finance, administration or office management; 

• Sound knowledge and practice in accounting; 

• Excellent English language skills in writing and speaking;  

• Excellent financial planning, budgeting and reporting skills. 

• Ability to understand and work with restricted and unrestricted funds concepts and with financial management policy frameworks; 

• Proficiency with Office Suite (Windows, Word, Power Point, Outlook) database, internet; 

• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures (or demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of individuals); 

• Efficient communication skills (verbal and written); 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, be patient, diplomatic and maintain confidentiality; 

• Good organization, time management, planning and priority setting skills, and demonstrated    initiative; 

• Sound judgment and effective problem-solving abilities; 

• Strong attention to details; 

• Strong experience in providing a customer focused service to internal and external clients; 

• Willingness to travel occasionally in and out of the country. 

Circumstances  

• Ability to spend time away from base work with project beneficiaries and partners as well supporting and visit volunteers, and 

• Ability and willingness to work long / irregular hours when appropriate during project implementation; 

Desirable: 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; 

• Familiarity with accounting systems e.g. SUN Accounts, Accpac, etc.; 

• Experience working in a non-governmental or not-for-profit organization; 

• Experience working with volunteerism for development (V4D) organizations; 

• Experience working with programs funded by Global Affairs Canada. 

How to Apply

Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation and sick days, and more.  

Cuso International is committed to the integrity of our volunteers, interns, staff, managers, board members and subcontractors in preventing sexual violence in the way we operate. This is done through a defined framework, code of conduct, values and guiding principles, as well as Cooperation Canada’s Leaders’ Pledge.  

Please click the  “Apply for This Job" button to submit your application by February 4, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST). Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox.  

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