BACKGROUND: 

 The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading center of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

The Institute focuses on two primary national approaches to catalyze agricultural transformation. First, we support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), its affiliate institutions, and other partners to identify and address systemic bottlenecks within an Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Second, we support Regional Governments to accelerate the development of high-priority commodity value chains in clearly defined geographic clusters, through the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) Initiative.

Our major activities include conducting strategic and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading a number of implementation projects. Our headquarters are in Addis Ababa, and we have regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, South-West, and Tigray regional offices, allowing us to work closely with a wide range of public, private and development sector partners across the country.

 Position:                           Senior Project Officer I – Accounting Mentor

Term of Employment:   One year with the possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa

Required Number:         One

Application Deadline:    February 04, 2023

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented, dedicated and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results. 

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector.  We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The AGRIHUB Project is seeking to recruit a Senior Project Officer, Accounting Mentor to support the enterprises that are part of the project. Access to finance, as one of the targeted core three services of the project, is a critical component to catalyze growth of the agribusinesses. The project believes that an accounting mentor with deep understanding of the financial situations and needs of the enterprise, and who can suggest and facilitate financing solutions through connecting with financial institutions and/or other innovative means of financing will be of immense value to the enterprise.

As such the project is looking for an individual with significant experience in preparing and appraising financial statements and hands-on-experience in cost accounting techniques acceptable at national and international levels. The Accounting together with the Agrihub team is generally expected to provide accounting and mentorship services based on the country’s and internationally accepted accounting principles and practices.   

• Control, manage and guide the regional Accounts and Finance mentors to enhance financial standards of Agri SMEs under Agrihub projects, make them Bankable and provide tailored business support services to make them excel their businesses.

• Review and understand the financing and investment needs of the enterprise and recommend appropriate solutions that enhance their performance.

• Analyze, appraise and evaluate the financial statements and audit reports of the enterprise and validate their accuracy in regard to whether they meet modern accounting principles and standards.

• Review the capital structure (debt-equity) and financial health/position of the enterprise and forward appropriate financial mix solutions.

• Support Agrihub team in guiding and providing orientation on banking services, documentation and organization of financial recording as to make the Agri MSMEs bankable

• Introduce, install and provide training on modern data capturing, processing, costing and financial analysis templates and reporting systems

• Guide and assist the enterprise’s existing financial/accounting staff to prepare  financial statements of the enterprise reflecting its past performance and future operations

• Support the Agrihub team in providing Business Development services and tracking MSMEs in different level of engagement on the project.

• Guide and assist the enterprise’s existing financial/accounting staff to design and prepare financial accounting policy manual using best practices and acceptable principles and policies of the country.

• Advise regional Agrihub team in preparing budgeting, financial forecasting and cash flow requirements of the enterprise and recommend mode of financing based on the strategic/business plan.

• Guide and support the enterprise in loan application, disbursement and payment schedules when needed.

• Recommend manpower required to strengthen the finance and accounting functions of the enterprise.

• Analyze and recommend techniques of improving the internal control system of the enterprise.

• Report performance and brief progress updates about his/her duties to the enterprise and the project team regularly.

• Involve in budget preparation and periodical reporting regarding the Agrihub project both at the Head office and regions level as needed

Job Requirements

• Minimum of Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management, or other relevant fields

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience at middle-level positions in Agriculture and/or agro-processing companies with a proven track record of preparing nationally and internationally acceptable financial statements, developing financial and cost accounting standards & manuals in support of MSMEs.  

• Strong understanding and practical experience with good practice in agribusiness development and value chain development

• Excellent understanding of the country’s taxes and duties, finance and accounting regulations, policies and standards, market trends and dynamics within the Ethiopian agro-processing sector

• Very good track record in working with Financial Institutions

How to Apply

Submit your (i) a cover letter and (ii) CV (maximum 3 pages) to THIS LINK

It is mandatory to mention the position title in the subject line of your application email

Please DO NOT submit scans of educational and experience certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.