Position: Finance Controller, Ethiopia

Location: Ethiopia

Terms: Local / STA

Context:

Ethiopia is the leading growth driver for the East Africa MCO and has delivered an average annual growth of approximately 55% over the last 4 years. It is one of the global BPC cells with Lifebuoy being the flagship brand for the market. Due to the forex constrained nature of the market, there is a significant level of investment that is currently going on to support localization and reduce forex dependency and volatity. Such rapid and exponential growth calls for deliberate focus on enhancing the control environment to protect and liberate value for Unilever Ethiopia.

Main Job Purpose

Reporting to the East Africa Finance Controller, the role will be responsible for driving the controls and governance agenda for the Ethiopia market to ensure compliance to all the global and statutory requirements as well as local laws and regulations. It will also be responsible for proactive management and mitigation of risks to reduce exposure for the entity.

Job Summary

1. Proactive Risk Management

• Lead risk identification and mitigation across the business
• Ensure controls are designed and operated adequately in line with GFCF to mitigate key risks
• Lead the Governance & Controls agenda for Ethiopia at local LT
• Keep track of changes and developments in the local laws and regulations and ensure full compliance with the requirements.

2. Accounting & Financial Controls

• Drive timely and accurate reporting of all financial information in line with statutory and global standards and timelines
• Work in conjunction with the the Supply Chain & Customer Development teams to drive effective management of working capital across the businesss.

3. Managing relevant third-party relationships

• Management of third party service providers IBM for PTP and Capgemini for RTR processes
• Management of the relationship with external auditors and ensure compliance with global timelines

4. Transformation Projects

• Provide local leadership for selected global and local transformation projects implementation
• Drive end-to-end financial process excellence in partnership with ETS to deliver speed, reliability and low cost

5. People Development:

• Drive performance management, career planning, development planning and succession planning for team and self

Key Requirements:

• Professional qualification in accounting e.g. ACCA, CIA, CIMA, CPA etc
• Proven working experience in Finance Controls in a complex operating environment with overall 8-10 years’ experience in Financial Management, Risk Management and Compliance
• Ability to identify existing and potential risks and development of mitigation plans.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Self-confident integrity and objectivity/independence of judgement.
• Strong communication and influencing skills; change management
• Objectivity and integrity in the face of challenge; courage and personal resilience
• Ability to build networks and manage senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated understanding and use of SAP