Position:                                    Finance Officer – Receivables

Term of Employment:             One Year with a possibility of extension  

Duty Station(s):                       Addis Ababa

Required Number:                   One

Application Deadline:              October  15, 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. The Institute reports to a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture. 

The programmatic focus of the Institute responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Transformation Council. Within the Institute, issues are divided into three different groups:  Production and Productivity which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Livestock, Research and Extension, Mechanization and Rural Finance; Agribusiness and Markets including Market Support Services, Commercial Farming, Argo-processing & Market Development, and Cooperatives Development; and Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Growth including Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Land Management, Gender Equality and Nutrition, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, and Planning and MLE. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.

 Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented individual are committed to doing their best and work together to achieve excellent results. 

At ATA, 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, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our people and are committed to providing our employees with the tools and training necessary to achieve their career goals. 

 POSITION SUMMARY:

The Finance Officer -Receivable is responsible for the execution of financial transactions, recording, reporting, and any auxiliary or supporting activities, and budget and reporting related activities. Financial transactions include payment requests, vouchers, and disbursement activities. Supporting activities include data management, budgeting, and planning, and reporting-related activities. Although the financial officer is responsible for the execution of all these activities, s/he may be asked to focus on, or be responsible for, a specific subset of activities based on the instructions of the Senior Finance Manager or the Finance Director. This position reports to the Sr Finance Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Ensure timely settlement of Receivables.

• Handle receivables and related transactions, maintain accurate records and reconcile the General Ledger A/R

• Check completeness of documents related to settlement of advances both for local/International travel and ensure that all applicable per diem directives and regulations issued by MOF and Civil Service is adhered.

• After checking the completeness & validity of supporting Documents, initiate Journal vouchers for settlement of sub-grant advances.

• Handle advance settlements such as procurement, workshop advance as per the pre-defined threshold.

• Initiate /Register receivables/Payables related with settlements/adjustments of advances, using Journal vouchers, which are resulted from the settlements process.

• Generate receivables aging analysis & review the AR aging to ensure timely settlement of all advances to mitigate financial and audit risks.

• Provide monthly procurement of goods and service information to ERCA, as per the standard template and timeline set by ERCA.

• Ensure that all payments, travel advances, staff claims, purchase/work orders and Journals are complete, legitimate with supporting documentation and ensuring that all transactions are properly authorized before payments are to be made.

• Confirm the sub-grantees utilization performance and facilitate the subsequent fund release by closely working with respective budget holder and technical team.

• Prepare an overall sub grantees financial status portfolio and performance report on regular basis and submit to management.

• Review financial utilization reports of sub grantees and submit to regional finance team to be settled or post reviewed sub grantee financial reports into ERP as per delegation matrix

• Regularly update and maintain sub-grant files on ERP grant management module, and hardcopy files.

• Assure that closed sub-grantees are inactive on the ERP/Agresso and no payments are recorded.

Ensure efficient and timely processing and recording of transactions: 

• Process all disbursement-related transactions, including check requests, periodic or recurring payment requests, and standing instructions.

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of petty cash requests and reimbursements.

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of batched invoices.

• Ensure processing of cash collections, cheques, and bank transfers.

• Ensure complete and accurate financial records relating to financial transactions being processed.

Ensure timely and accurate data management.

• Ensure management of ERP databases and hardcopy records.

• Assist in tracing and analyzing transactions, records, and financial statements.

• Support all audit-related query resolution and data provision.

• Maintain service and vendor records, and personnel records as applicable.

• Ensure data verification in transactions by ensuring complete supporting documentation for transactions, verifying, and correcting records, and obtaining further information for incomplete supporting data.

• Maintain all up-to-date records in ERP as well as hardcopies ad mandated by compliance requirements.

• Address all information requests pertaining to the financials of ATI.

 Support the analysis and validation of budgeting and budget tracking.

• Conduct analyses and validate and review budgets periodically.

• Assist in the coordination of budget preparation and support in the preparation of regular and special budget reports.

• Execute periodic budget tracking and reporting activities.

• Perform other tasks as instructed by Senior Finance Manager.

Job Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance field of study with 4 years or 2 years relevant experience respectively, working as a finance officer or budget officer with experience in transaction processing, reporting, planning, and/or budgeting functions

• Experience and proficiency in working with ERP systems, preferably Agresso

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (including Excel) is a must.

• Fluency in English and Amharic and other Ethiopian languages is highly desired

• Superior attention to detail; skills such as critical thinking; problem-solving; and multi-tasking abilities are required in addition to integrity, and honesty. 

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to THIS LINK

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.