Reference No:   REC/ 101 /24

Job title:           Area Senior Finance Officer

LocationBenishangul Gumuz

Reports to: Area Finance Manager

Number of Posts 1 (One)

Closing date:   August 14, 2024

About GOAL

GOAL’s mission is to work with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, and to assist them to build transcendent solutions to mitigate poverty and vulnerability. 

GOAL is a non-for-profit organization that has been working in Ethiopia for over 30 years across all the region of the country towards ensuring the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food and livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, healthcare and education. GOAL implements a range of multi-sectoral development, resilience, recovery and humanitarian responses Programmes by being sensitive to cross-cutting issues including gender, accountably, child protection, HIV/AIDS.

We envision a world where poverty no longer exist, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to wellbeing are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. GOAL Ethiopia’s main donors are Irish Aid, USAID/OFDA, EHF, ECHO and other private donors. 

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

The Area Senior Finance Officer will be responsible for the overall Financial  Management of the Regional Programme Office including but not limited to management & monitoring of monthly expenditure against budget, ensuring monthly balance sheet figures are normal for all project sites under his/her direct supervision, direct support to LAFs,  If any, and consolidating monthly cash books of the region, review all financial transaction based on the filed  trasholed and Monthly fund request submit it to HO on time. He/she will be responsible for supporting Area Finance manage and control the   finance functions of all grants under the jurisdiction of the regional office. 

The Area Senior Finance Officer will have a functional line with the Area Finance Manager & Head office Finance team as the regional Programme Office focal person for all financial matters. The incumbent will have a similar functional, provide technical support and following up role to the LAF Officers, Assistant finance officer jointly with the regional Area Finance Manager. However, the incumbent still will be under the direct management of the regional Area Finance manager.

Key Areas of Accountability/Duties 

1. Financial Management 

• Ensure that GOAL Ireland’s and GOAL Ethiopia’s financial, procurement and personnel procedures and policies are always adhered to. 

• Ensuring all expenditures is in line with Donor Budget, Donor Guidelines, and GOAL procurement and financial procedures.

• Ensuring that all internal financial formats/templates are used, and that month-end procedures e.g. monthly checklist are followed. 

• Oversee and manage daily program-wide accounting and finance functions including timely recording of transactions, cash management, all outstanding balance clearance, banking, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables

• Plan and implement systems for financial operations in assigned area program offices in accordance with the GOAL Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, and financial record-keeping.

•  Review procurement actions, including procurements under grants, to ensure full and open competition to the greatest extent possible, 

• Strong internal controls with appropriate segregation of duties, adequate documentation to support solicitation, selection and best-value decisions, and full compliance with donor regulations

• Review all monthly financial transactions made based on the Grant Monitoring Tool (GMT) each month fund request.

• Prepare Government Financial Reports in the correct format on quarterly bases. 

• Prepare, review, and compile monthly Fund requests of field offices prepared by LAF officers or by herself /himself under the region. Liaison with area programme Manager, timely submission to line manager. 

• Maintain cash books daily and review and compile other field office cash books in the region.

• Ensure all expenses are coded properly in line with the approved project budget line as per the Chart of accounts coded in the finance form.

• Ensure the necessary supporting documents are checked and attached to payment vouchers before any payments are affected.

• Ensure proper adherence of the function to the project to financial, purchase and audit manuals 

• Supervise and control the custody of the region`s financial documents which will be permanently archived at regional level.

• Coordinate finance team under your region to provide effective financial services

• Ensure effective and efficient resource utilization 

• Provide on job financial training to finance staff under his/her supervision in topics related GE`s financial management and related tasks.

• Apply the organization’s financial and accounting policies in the region.

• Consolidate the weekly cash counts of the region and share them with the Area finance manager & Head office finance team at the end of the week on time.

• Shared monthly cash book schedule with LAF officers and submit the final consolidated report on time at the end of the Month.

•  Prepare Journal and send it for review to Area Finance Manager

•  Participate in the Biannual and Annual Inventory count.

•  Participate on Internal & External Audit process and close Quires.

2. Budget Preparation and monitoring

•  Review plan & forecast according to GOAL expenditure monthly in line with annual budget ensuring all costs where possible and in accordance with donor guidelines are charged to donor-funded projects

•  Review all transactions made based on the annual budget plan and correct account code, cost center, and grant account code within the liquidation period.

•  Follow up and shared the outstanding Accrued financial documents cleared out on time with the area finance Manager.

•  Prepare government Budget after Grant approval (interim and annual reports) and share to Area Finance Manager for review.

•  Assist filed LAFs early update for the grant close-out.

3.Other Tasks

• Ensure timely payment of taxes to Inland Revenue.

• Ensure the correct completion of Asset Registers, including the recording of additions/deletions over the year in liaison with logs.  Oversee physical control of assets of the project.

• Assist Area Manager in the preparation of Core cost and new budget proposal. As part of this process to track expenditure of filed office admin, vehicle and staff costs on a monthly basis.

• Assist Area Finance Manager in the review of financial procedures and implementation of improved financial procedures.

• Ensure that GOAL Ireland’s and GOAL Ethiopia’s financial, procurement and personnel procedures and policies are adhered to at all times.  Ensure Donor guidelines are followed at all times.

• Maintain hard and soft copy/backup of financial reports.           

• Familiarize self to the organizations Gender and Child Protection issues and apply as per area of responsibility. 

• Undertake any other duties be requested by immediate supervisor and Head office Finance Team.

• Well-trained the LAFs and assistant Finance officer to fill the gaps.

• Attend on PCOM process as assigned by SCD (system country Director) 

Safeguarding:

• To foster an inclusive working environment that is non-threatening and safe for all. An environment that addresses safeguarding adequately in its processes and where the barriers to raise and discuss concerns about safeguarding issues are identified and where possible mitigated.

Values & Behaviors:

• Strong commitment to upholding and promoting GOAL’s values; Respect, Integrity, Courage, Partnership and Humanitarianism.

• The responsibilities listed in the Job Description are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs by the Assistant Country Director for Systems/Systems Director and the HR Manager but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Job Requirements

Qualification (Education, Experience, key qualities, skill and competence)

• BA degree in accounting or related field with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in Finance in an NGO environment.

• Experience and knowledge of USAID/OFDA, ECHO/EU, UN agencies, Irish Aid, etc. fund management.

• High level of accuracy, attention to details and commitment to confidentiality

• A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary

• An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with GOAL and donor policies and procedures is essential. 

• Ability to manage grants if multiple donors.

• Understanding of the program nature and willing to travel and live in field site, with frequent traveling  from site to site. 

• High commitment to maintain an up-to-date and efficient HR information and record keeping system.

• Adherence to the requirements set by the HR Manual and donor guidelines.

• Experience in handling Financial and HR activities, general management/administration skills.

• Very good knowledge and application of MS-Office, especially Excel.

• Good English communication skill (written and spoken). 

• Very good human relation skills, ability to explain 

• Team oriented, flexible and creative approach; keen to take initiative where appropriate.

• Accountability & responsiveness within areas of responsibilities, 

• Knowledge and application of advanced excel and Data management tools

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of Programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies and other GOAL and Donor policies. 

GOAL’s Conflict of Interest Policy applies to all recruitment processes. Staff will be required to declare Conflict of Interest during the process. 

REMUNERATION and BENEFITS: 

• GOAL will pay a competitive basic salary based on the salary grading with additional benefits.

• A chance to develop tangible experience.

• Being part of a team who continue to make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people. 

Commitments: 

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. 

GOAL highly promotes Equality, diversity and inclusion and works with women and men, People with disabilities, and employees of various ages including youth, supports their empowerment and appreciates their achievements constantly. GOAL also encourages applications from diverse candidates including women, people with disabilities, people with diverse backgrounds, and youth to apply.

GOAL has zero tolerance to discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, race, economic status etc . we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safe guarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is strongly committed not to harm the people under its care. 

GOAL Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety of people who involves in its work and demands all staff exhibit the highest commitment. GOAL Ethiopia will verify skills and commitment of the candidate in the assessment process and perform Background reference check.

You are welcome to include your sex (Male or female) and any disability issues in your CV (please note that this information will only be used to comply with affirmative action policy of the organization)

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number along with the title & Duty station need to be written in the application letter 

Applicants can directly apply via THIS LINK

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at later stage.

GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process.