Research Triangle Institute (RTI)  is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Finance Manager in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Job Description

Job Overview

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world. 

SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors globally, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, water resources management, community engagement, urban resilience, and institutional capacity building.

Project Description

The purpose of the five-year USAID Climate Resilient (CR) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity is to support accelerated access to inclusive and resilient WASH services targeting lowlands areas.

The Activity will be based in Ethiopia and target the lowland areas of Afar, Oromia, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).

The Activity will work to fulfill this purpose through four complementary intermediate results:

1. Professionalize and expand climate-resilient water services;
2. Increase sustainable access to and use of sanitation and hygiene products and services, including for menstrual health and hygiene;
3. Improve gender power dynamics;
4. Strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient water and sanitation services.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Finance Manager for the recently awarded USAID CR WASH Activity in Ethiopia. The Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing the project’s financial management and preparation and submission of financial statements as well as adhering to USAID and RTI financial and accounting policies. This position will additionally manage the projection of monthly, quarterly, and annual expenditures.  

The Finance Manager will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Finance and Operations Director.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the project’s financial management and preparation and submission of financial statements and other cost-accounting reports.
• Ensures adherence to USAID and RTI financial and accounting policies and procedures.
• Manages projection of monthly, quarterly, and annual expenditures and prepares pipeline estimates.
• Develops monthly consolidated financial calendar and ensures payments for staff travel advances, and advances are liquidated on time and accurately.
• Manages the presentation, circulation, filing and archiving of accounting and financial documents as directed by the Finance and Administration Director.
• Prepares and submits semi-monthly and monthly financial statements (including expenses, receivables, and payables).
• Performs compliance review on all project expenditures and ensures strict compliance with all USAID and RTI financial and accounting policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains sound and transparent accounting and fiscal control procedures and makes appropriate recommendations for improvement when necessary.
• Coordinates and consolidates the projection of monthly, quarterly, and annual expenditures, financial reports, and budget forecasts.
• Prepares biweekly cash requirements, monitoring cash flow and reconciles cash accounts in order to maintain appropriate cash balances. 
• Manages and coordinates inventory control and tracking of project equipment, including property logs, serial numbers, and tags.
• Reviews the financial records, procedures and systems of subcontractors and sub-grantees when necessary to ensure compliance with the work orders.
• Prepares and reviews payment vouchers in support of payments for project activities and suppliers’ invoices confirming such payments are in accordance with the laid down procedures and policies, accurate, complete, adequately supported by all underlying appropriate documents, and correctly coded to the appropriate expenses and tracking code and project code.
• Prepares and submits upward RTI annual foreign tax report (VAT report) in compliance with USAID and local government regulation and processes.
• Prepares other financial and cost accounting reports, operations and analysis as required by management and RTI head office.
• Works closely with COP, technical staff, pertinent RTI home office staff and appropriate USAID staff when necessary to ensure project resources are effectively and efficiently budgeted, analyzed, disbursed, monitored, and reported in achieving project objectives and results.
• Liaises with the project management unit in the head office with regards to accruals, budget monitoring, and forecasts.
• Ensures adequate filing of finance documents.
• Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of experience, Master’s degree and 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience and expertise in the financial management of large and complex projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Knowledge of applicable USAID procurement, assistance, rules and regulations, as well as administrative policies and techniques. 
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access plus working knowledge of accounting and procurement software (particularly QuickBooks) is preferable.  
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, ability to ensure compliance of financial regulations with a team.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more local languages strongly preferred.
• Experience in the Lowland regions of Ethiopia preferred.
• Work experience in Ethiopia required.