Finance Officer

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, EPHLA Office  Duration: 3 months with possibility of extension with another six months based on performance and donor approvals  Salary: As per the Organization scale  Job Summary  The Finance Officer is responsible for implementing an effective financial management system to ensure the efficient utilization of project resources. S/he works closely with the Project Manager and other project team members to ensure that the project budget is utilized effectively and efficiently in a timely manner, in accordance with the project contractual agreement. S/he is responsible for ensuring proper implementation and adherence to organizational policies and procedures, as well as donor and government rules and regulations. S/he ensures that the project is implemented according to the contractual agreement and that compliance with the donor requirements and EPHLA’s organizational policies and procedures, is strictly maintained. Additionally, s/he provides technical assistance to project staff at all levels in managing resources. Furthermore, s/he is responsible for preparing regular and ad hoc financial reports for Project HOPE (using standard templates) and for other requirements. S/he also manages and organizes cost-sharing and reports to Project HOPE as needed, facilitating the VAT claims refund process. Specific duties and responsibilities are discussed below:  Specific Functions and Responsibilities   Assist the project team in the development of realistic budget for the implementation period (budget and work plan).  Ensure that payroll is prepared on time and that all payroll deductions are settled promptly with the tax center. Ensure that procurements are processed in accordance with donor requirements, local laws, and the organization's policies and procedures. Ensure that VAT claims are properly managed and refunded in a timely manner. Provide guidance to the project team regarding the sources and criteria for cost-sharing and ensure that cost-sharing documentation is submitted to the donor according to the schedule and properly filed. Track project budget consistently and provide updates to the project team in order for them to know the status (burn rate) and develop an accelerated action plan. Ensure payments are made timely for all planned activities and as per the procumbent policies and procedures).     Ensure that an organized filing/documentation system is established and maintained.  Ensure that proper and timely reconciliations (monthly) are made with the financial ledgers as per the existing policy (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Public Standard Accounting Principles (IPSAS). Ensure that advances are settled (liquidated) in a timely manner/monthly (as per the financial reporting procedures and formats) and also, follow up with HSA project for the timely release of project advances to avoid interruptions in the implementation of the project activities.  Perform other incidental du...