About EDI Ethiopia

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) Ethiopia is an autonomous quasi-institution reporting to the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MOLS). EDI was re-formed as an institute in 2021 following the latest government reorganization bringing together two entities, namely: The UNDP-supported Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC), established in February 2013, and the World Bank financed Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (WEDP), established in December 2012.

EDI aims to promote the emergence of a vibrant, competitive, and innovative private sector in particular a dynamic entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem in Ethiopia. EDI offers a comprehensive package of entrepreneurship development programs, an end-to-end BDS program packages aimed at supporting MSMEs including access to finance, market linkages, incubation, and acceleration services. Following its new mandate as a national institute, EDI plays a key role in the Ethiopian entrepreneurial ecosystem providing guidance and support for the standardization of the entrepreneurship and BDS programs through a strategic shift encompassing the systemic role to build the capacities of other public and private institutions in the ecosystem to replicate impact.

The Opportunity

EDI Ethiopia through a grant agreement with GiZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is implementing a pilot BDS Voucher System Project that aims to improve Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs) access to quality Business Development Services (BDS) in Ethiopia. The project will provide SMEs with vouchers to cover part of the costs of accessing high-quality and impactful BDS. This voucher system incentivizes SMEs to invest in professional services to improve their operations and growth prospects. Additionally, the project envisions to build the capacity of local BDS providers and stimulate demand for their services by increasing visibility, promoting demand-driven BDS and generally contributing to the growth of the BDS market in Ethiopia.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and the Finance and Administration Director, the Finance Officer will be playing a pivotal role in ensuring the overall voucher system’s financial aspects and budget related matters are efficiently executed. The incumbent will be responsible to oversee budgeting, accounting, reporting, and payment administration pertaining to the financial flows and controls in the BDDS voucher system project.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop financial plans, budgets, forecasts for the project's voucher funding and disbursements.

• Develop financial plans, budgets, forecasts for the project's voucher funding and disbursements.

• Oversee administration of voucher payments and reimbursements to BDS providers including processing payment requests and preparation of all necessary financial documentations for processing payments.

• Verify validity and compliance of financial support requests from BDS providers

• Manage accounting, reporting and auditing of all financial transactions under the voucher program

• Prepare periodic financial monitoring reports for donors and project leadership.

• Continuously assess efficiency of funds usage; provide recommendations to optimize

• Design and implement financial policies, procedures, controls for voucher disbursement

• Provide guidance to BDS providers on financial reporting requirements for voucher reimbursements

• Ensure financial management of vouchers adheres to requirements of donors and govt. agencies

• Coordinate external audits related to the voucher program finances and fund utilization

• Identify financial risks related to vouchers; establish mitigation measures and controls

• Troubleshoot issues faced by BDS providers in receiving payments for voucher services

• Provide guidance to BDS providers on financial reporting and voucher compliance

• Assist project team on contracting and payment-related matters.

• Efficiently execute any other tasks and responsibilities as required by the Project Coordinator, the Finance and Admin Director and other line program managers.

Reports To: Project Coordinator

Contract duration: 9 months with a possibility of extension 

Job Requirements

Required Qualification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field

• 4+ years of experience in finance and accounting preferably with an engagement on financial systems related with entrepreneurship development and BDS programs

• Proven track record of success in managing and administering BDS financial supports and financial resources

• Certificate of Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW) or BDS provided by EDI Ethiopia would be a plus.

Skills and knowledge:

• Proven knowledge on financial management software and finance administration protocols

• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, BDS, MSME development and preferably voucher systems.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, presentation/facilitation, report writing, analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Entrepreneurial, innovative, and problem-solving mindset.

• Supervisory skills and capacity to be a member of a multidisciplinary team.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 tools and other relevant computer skills.

How to Apply

Application Instruction

Interested applicants must submit their cover letter and CV named with your Full Name via hr@edi-ethiopia.org and clearly indicating the position you are applying for as a subject up to or before January 12, 2024 5:00 PM. Applicants that would like to apply for another vacancy must repeat the same procedure. Even though we highly encourage digital applications via email, for applicants that would like to submit paper-based applications please enclose your cover letter and CV in an envelope and submit it at the reception of EDI’s headquarters located at Wesen Grocery, inside CEE Compound, new building ground floor reception office. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H2wAfZ73u4BLKvwg7. If you face any difficulty in the application process please contact us on: +251944878338 or info@edi-ethiopia.org . Female Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for all positions

Please be aware that EDI Ethiopia does not demand any payment from applicants at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. Additionally, EDI Ethiopia has not enlisted any agent for recruitment purposes. We emphasize that EDI Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer.