Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY 

Position:                           Accounting and Finance Mentor SPOI , Agrihub

Term of Employment:   One year with possible extension

Duty Station(s):              Amhara- Bahir Dar

Required Number:         One

Salary & Benefits:           Competitive

Application Deadline:    19/02/2023

BACKGROUND:

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Institute does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. 

ATI has an exceptional team of highly competent and committed staff with proven track records 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 results as an individual and as a member of a team. 

Agriculture-oriented enterprises essential to making value chains competitive are largely missing, in particular, across the downstream end of the value chain in Ethiopia. Several challenges have contributed to the absence of a sufficient number of agriculture enterprises, chief among them is under-developed business ecosystem “building blocks” such as access to appropriate and timely financial services, management and sector expertise, support businesses, and under-developed downstream processing/manufacturing capabilities. Thus, there is a need for targeted support to spur the growth of agriculture-oriented enterprises that can address this gap.

The AgriHub project is designed to be a platform for business development services for multiple micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) currently served by other ATI projects to promote the development of the private sector in agriculture as a means to improve livelihoods and economic opportunity. AgriHub will serve as a central unit within ATI having the capacity to provide business diagnosis and develop capacity building support to MSME through training and/or advisory service to help the enterprises grow and scale their business. At the current time, AgriHub has focused on scaling 6 identified types of MSMEs (Farm Service Centers (FSC) / Agricultural One-Stop Shop Center (AOSC), Mechanization Service Centers (MSC), Co-operative Based Seed Producers (CBSP), Irrigation enterprises (ISGWID), Direct Seed Marketers (DSM) and Direct Input Marketers (DIM), and enterprises operating in ACC woredas through identification and graduation of high growth potential enterprises through AgriHub’s three-levels of support (Center of Excellence, Capability Booster, Acceleration), offering more robust services, including access to finance, as enterprises graduate through the levels of support.

The overall success of AgriHub will be measured by three main components: business development skills support for MSMEs, access to finance for MSMEs, the documentation of efficient methodologies & tools, and development of a network of partners and service providers for further outreach and scaling up of the approach. AgriHub is unique to other services and activities provided by the ATI as ATI project teams mainly provide technical assistance to these MSMEs while AgriHub is designed to be a business development hub within ATI to serve enterprises supported by ATI projects.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The AGRIHUB Project is seeking to recruit an Accounting and finance Mentor under the direct supervision of Regional ACC and Programs Director 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 catalyse 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 and finance mentor in close consultation with Head quarter accounting and finance team and with the reginal Business advisors of the AGRIHUB project team is generally expected to provide accounting and mentorship services based on the country’s and internationally accepted accounting principles and practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Review and understand the existing practices of capturing and recording of data and preparing financial statements and reporting of the enterprise and recommends corrective measures based on internationally and domestic acceptable financial accounting principles.

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

• Identify, create linkages and further strengthen its relationships with financial institutions in consultation with the Management of the enterprise and its Advisory Board, and  AGRIHUB  project team.

• Support regional Agrihub teams 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

• Engage and negotiate with local and international financial institutions to secure loans and meet the enterprise’s financing needs in consultation with the management team and Advisory Board of the enterprise.

• 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. I Dear Henok as this is the responsibility of BA I think it shouldn’t be mentioned as the primary Job of the proposed Mentor

•  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.

•  Assist 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.                        

Job Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management, or other relevant fields

• 6 years for master’s holders in Agriculture and/or agro-processing companies with proven track record of preparing nationally and internationally acceptable financial statements, developing financial and cost accounting standards & manuals  

• 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 on working with Financial Institutions

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) CV (maximum 3 pages) to https://apply.ata.gov.et

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.