Org. Setting and Reporting

The Finance Officer position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for coordinating humanitarian response efforts and ensuring a coherent framework for humanitarian actors. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering, advocate for the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Finance Officer will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office (HoO), OCHA Ethiopia, and report directly to the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit/Fund Manager.

Responsibilities

The Finance Officer’s key responsibilities include:

• Verifying implementing partners’ financial documentation and liaising with auditors to ensure compliance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and Country-based Pooled Funds guidelines.
• Reviewing grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Maintaining detailed records of disbursements to implementing partners and following up on financial reports.
• Initiating the disbursement process, conducting financial spot-checks, and overseeing the audit process.
• Supporting implementing partners on UNFRR and CBPF guideline compliance.
• Maintaining cash flow records and providing financial analysis to inform funding allocations.
• Preparing financial reports to meet donor requirements and contributing to CBPF Annual Reports.
• Liaising with relevant OCHA sections at headquarters.
• Staying up-to-date on policies, guidelines, and reporting requirements.

Competencies

The position requires competencies in Professionalism, Accountability, and Client Orientation. The incumbent should demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian and emergency relief assistance.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and participate in their resolution.
• Conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis.
• Ability to work under pressure and in highly stressful environments.
• Accountability for quality work, adherence to rules and regulations, and personal responsibility.
• Client-oriented approach, focusing on understanding partners’ needs and providing appropriate solutions.

Education and Experience

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, or business administration is required.
• Experience in humanitarian financing, such as grant management, audit processes, and humanitarian funding tracking, is essential.
• Humanitarian field experience in emergency situations and within the UN system or a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Experience in the Southern and/or Eastern African region is also desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment and Selection

The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.