Title: EMP Finance Manager

Location: Addis Ababa - (20% travel in Ethiopia)

Employment Category: F1

Reporting To: EMP Deputy Chief of Party

Direct Reports: EMP Finance Officer – Program, EMP Finance Officer - Reporting

Start of Contract & Duration: 24 Months

Posting date: March 19, 2021

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009. With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading a £21 million program to protect would-be migrants and refugees from unsafe irregular migration through and from Ethiopia. The 4-year program, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), is anticipated to be innovative, cross-sectoral and solutions-oriented with strong emphasis on research, learning and adaptive management.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Finance Manager will be responsible for correct budget set up and control on Dynamics in line with DRC policy, coordination with DRC HQ and CO for good financial management, support to program staff for activity budgeting and forecasting, compliance with FCDO Commercial Contract cost eligibility guidance, preparation of DRC quarterly invoices, project-related financial reporting to Govt. of Ethiopia and maintenance of external project financial trackers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Budgeting

• Set up EMP projects in Dynamics according to EMP’s approved budget (FCDO Cost Proforma), including revisions in line with regular budget amendments or Contract Variations approved by FCDO. Dynamics set up includes modules such as WBS, project hierarchy and Forecast Models, and information should be recorded in compliance with latest guidelines provided by DRC HQ, where relevant for Commercial Contracts.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of EMP projects on Dynamics, including DRC Addis, DRC Shire and partner subprojects, ensuring they are activated/closed at the correct times, that committed costs are cleared where possible, and that project transactions are recorded on the correct subprojects or are rebooked to the correct subproject.
• Consult with DRC Country Office (CO) on EMP’s budget for shared costs, including providing guidance on cost eligibility and budget usage.
• Manage entry of Resource Scheduling information on Dynamics for all budgeted EMP staff, using formulas developed to ensure no underbilling or overbilling for shared staff.
• Lead the development of EMP-Govt. of Ethiopia MOU budgets by converting EMP’s budget into the desired format and coordinating with other PMU staff for activity information.

Invoicing

• Manage the monthly development DRC’s quarterly EMP invoices using the Expense Report template, which includes processing the relevant Shire and Addis subproject TDLs according to EMP budget categories, recording approved timesheets in the LOE Tracker and converting timesheets into Project team billings, and ensuring CO and SHC shared costs are posted to EMP. While invoices are submitted quarterly, invoice development should occur monthly.
• Coordinate with EMP leadership, CO and HQ to finalize the Expense Report, including consultation on Milestone Weighting, confirming transactions flagged as “non-billable” and cross-checking the TDL.
• Submit the final DRC Expense Report, with supporting TDL and LOE Tracker, by the 15th day of the month following the end of the quarter.
• Conduct initial review of partner Expense Reports, as well as supporting documentation, as the first step towards approval of partner invoices.
• Oversee the process of posting partner payments on Dynamics and following up with DRC HQ for payment notification, after receiving go ahead from the PMU for partner payments,
• Ensure EMP raises a Project Invoice Proposal in Dynamics after FCDO has approved EMP’s overall invoice and DRC HQ has submitted invoice for payment.

Tracking

• Lead the development and maintenance of the DRC Financial Tracker, which is an external tool for comparing the EMP budget with actual and forecast expenditure. The Financial Tracker is due at the end of each month.
• Support the EMP HR team in collecting actual monthly timesheets for all DRC EMP staff, ensuring that all active staff fill in compliant timesheets.
• Provide analysis on variance between the EMP budget and actual / forecast expenditure, including especially NPAC and Profit.
• Using financial trackers, provide inputs into and regular updates on both internal and external expenditure forecasts.

Financial Management

• Set up and organize project Budget Follow-ups (BFUs) in a way that enables the Chief of Party, program managers and budget holders to ensure effective budget monitoring and control.
• Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues for the program, including financial documentation, reporting, key variances and any remedial action.
• Oversee coordination between relevant Managers and Finance for the upkeep of Detailed Activity Based Budgets, including provision of regular frontline spending updates.
• Collect, consolidate and submit cash forecasts for the program and requesting funds in a timely manner.
• Support the development and implementation of program specific procedures and guides, especially the Financial Management section of the EMP Operating Manual.

Job Requirements

Education (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Financial Management or related field

Experience and Technical Competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience, preferably 10 or more years
• Proven experience in working with financial management of commercial contracts.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of financial compliance and procedures (knowledge of FCDO cost eligibility rules and regulations a bonus)
• Demonstrated experience working with a range of financial management software/programs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated appetite for learning independently and through on-the-job training.
• Excellent skills in the use of computer applications (MS Excel, Word, Power Point);
• Have right to work in Ethiopia.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages an advantage.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on here

N.B: Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than April 1, 2021.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult at the website

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.