Self Help Africa
Vacancy Announcement

Position: RuSACCO Officer

- Department: Programmes
- Location: Oda Bultum, Bedessa, West Hararghe Zone of Oromia
- Reports to: Project Manager
- Contract Type: Two years fixed term contract, renewable based on performance review

Job Purpose:
• The Integrated Community Development Project at West Hararghe Zone of Oromia supports one Union and fourteen p/RUSACCOs. The objective of the project is to build the resilience of smallholder farmers through multiple interventions with access to finance as a key approach. The RuSACCO Officer will have a key role in supporting the RuSACCO union and the member PSACCOs in establishing a standard accounting and reporting system that supports the sustainable development of these organisations. The RuSACCO Officer provides management and operational assistance to the RuSACCO Union and RuSACCOs. The RuSACCO Officer reports directly to the project manager and she/he is expected to play a key role in contributing to the overall achievement of project goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
• Support the management of staff and committees of the Union and member RuSACCOs in establishing a standard operation and management procedures;
• Train and provide TA for the management staff and committee members of the Union and member RuSACCOs on member promotion and Savings and Credit administration;
• Support Union and member RuSACCOs board and committee members in the governance of their societies;
• Create awareness among board and committee members of their duties and responsibilities set out in the by-laws of their respective institutions;
• Train RuSACCO management/board members in operational and management practices of the sector or micro-finance industry;
• Support and help to develop where necessary the accounting and reporting system of the RuSACCO Unions;
• Support to ensure the RuSACCO Union and member RuSACCOs are following a standard and appropriate accounting system;
• Support to ensure financial reports are produced on quarterly basis and submitted to all concerned stakeholders;
• Encourage and support union staff in ensuring that RuSACCOs record all transactions on monthly basis;
• Support RuSACCOs in the preparation of financial statements at the end of each fiscal year for auditing by the coop office;
• Prepare reliable and satisfactory reports to immediate supervisor that may be distributed to donors, partners, government, head quarter, as situation requires;
• Assist in ensuring all possible legal liabilities (performance, contractual or extra contractual (tort), tax and other) are properly and safely handled at affiliated RuSACCO Unions, associations, members and groups to the rural finance project;
• Exercise a supportive and participative approach in discharging his/her tasks, duties, and responsibilities in the rural finance project in relation to RuSACCO Unions,
• Demonstrates exemplifying role modelling to his/her colleagues;
• Demonstrates professionalism and positive attitude towards internal and external customers without compromising the rules, polices, and procedures of the organisations at assigned project levels;
• Promotes to build the image of the organisation;
• Implements decisions of the immediate supervisor;
• Perform other assignments as requested by his/her supervisor.

Key Relationships:
Internal
• Project Manager (Line manager)
• Oda Bultum ICDP Project Officer
• SHA Ethiopia Head of Programmes
• Other SHA Ethiopia staff
• Union/Cooperative staff and members
• Finance and Administration Team,

External
• Local Government Authorities,
• Financial Institutions,
• Other International and Local NGOs,
• Private Sector Organisations,
• Business Advisors and Mentors.

How to apply:
• Please submit: A completed application form together with CV/resume and a covering letter before March 17, 2020, explaining why you want the position and why you think you are particularly suited to the role. Applications should be in a Word document or in pdf. Make it clear which position you are applying for by writing the Position in the subject line of your e-mail as follows [CDO+ Your name].The application should be submitted by email to the following email addresses: edlawit.tegegn@selfhelpafrica.net
• Closing date for applications is 17 March 2020.
• Women applicants are highly encouraged; Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer
• The detailed job descriptions for the different posts are provided in SHA website: www.selfhelpafrica.org
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
• BSc degree in cooperative accounting, or cooperative auditing or related discipline;
• At least three years relevant working experience, preferably in an NGO environment;
• Experience of working in Saving and Credit Cooperatives or MFIs would be a distinct advantage;
• Good inter-personal and communication skills;
• Capacity and maturity to establish and maintain links with government officials, RuSACCO Unions and primary coops;
• Experience in report writing, data collection and documentation;
• Computer literacy, particularly in financial packages and ability to adapt and learn new programmes;
• Ability to sort and handle sensitive financial matters and observe strict confidentiality;
• Demonstrable good command of English (both written and spoken);

Desirable:
• Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret financial data;
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder working environments;
• Demonstrated knowledge in management of projects preferably rural finance related projects;
• Ability to devise and operate standard management and operational programs on RuSACCOs development;
• Ability to control assets and financial resources;
• Working knowledge of the Afan Oromo language.