Light for the World is an international disability and development organization whose vision is an inclusive society where no one is left behind. We enable crucial eye health services and help empower people with disabilities in some of the poorest regions of the world.

Our programs include:

• Eye Health – preventing blindness and promoting eye health for all

• Education – ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education.

• Work – enhancing access for persons with disabilities to opportunities for employment and self-employment

• Neglected Tropical Diseases – elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases. 

We focus on the poorest and hardest to reach because that’s where we will have the biggest impact. We create change through local people, organizations, and structures because we want our impact to last.

To strengthen our highly committed and passionate team we are looking for a

Primary Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Head of Finance and Operations and with a functional link with the Act East Programme Manager and Grant Lead in HQ, the grant and Controlling Specialist is responsible for financial compliance and risk management working with program staff and partner organizations to assist them in planning, granting, budgeting, and financial management. S/he oversees partners’ financial reporting, budgeting, auditing, and compliance to agreed Light for the World’s procedures and policies as well as donors’ requirements. S/he adheres to international standards and aims to build the financial and budget management capacity of partner organizations through training and support. S/he is also responsible for ensuring all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the projects understand and uphold both Light for the World ‘s and institutional donors' financial policies and procedures and proactively manage contracts and risks within respective projects and programs. The Grant & Controlling Specialist will have the main responsibility for project budget planning, Donor financial report preparation, quality assurance, reviewing and verifying financial requests by partners’ ensuring the timely transfer of funds to the respective partners; ensuring compliance with donor requirements, analyzing financial reports received from respective partners, assisting partners in the financial statement preparation and timely reporting.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure in-country implementation of agreed internal financial processes, as well as Grant processes about the programs, particularly Act East.

• Ensures Collaboration with Accounting & Programmes

• Ensuring compliance with donors’, Light for the World’s, and local government procedures in financial planning, implementation, and reporting of grants by engaging relevant stakeholders including Light for the World staff and implementing partners.

• Deliver reports and results in the context of internal needs as well as donor and government requirements. 

• Ensure capacity building of partners and staff members on key guidelines and procedures to create a common understanding of all the requirements with respect to implemented grants by relevant stakeholders.

• Implementing orientation and coaching in the field and organizing in-house orientation sessions.

• Play staff management and collaboration with different teams including Grant team.

• Setup systems or amend existing ones in a participatory manner to respond to the changing needs of the organization.

• Collaboration with the international team to ensure internal process and external reporting compliance in addition to being a communication channel for grant management purposes.

• Manage reporting requirements on progress reports, performance reports, Governmental Reports, and Equipment Inventory Reports.

• Ensure compliance with internal and external (donor) financial guidelines including procurement, financial management and reporting.

• Receive and review periodic grants reports for all sub recipients and ensure proper allocation of expenses, reasonability of expenses and allowability as per donor guidelines.

• Periodic review of local partner internal controls and policies for advice on strengthening and transaction verification through monitoring and supervisions.

• Provide technical support and supervise the sub recipients to ensure full compliance with the donor requirements.

• Provide financial capacity building to program staff and partners.

• Provide mentorship to field level staffs and sub recipients and capacity development to them to plan, implement, monitor, and report on grants awarded.

• Regular review and update Grant Management Standard Operating Procedures and relevant documents governing awards as needed.

What we can offer as an employer: 

We are offering an outstanding opportunity to bring about change through an international development organization with strong expertise, a growing profile, and a dedicated team.

The location of employment is Addis Ababa, with travel to project sites.

Terms of Employment:  One-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Reporting Line: Head of Finance and Operations 

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field. Additional qualifications and certifications are a plus.

• 5-8 years of professional work experience, with some knowledge or background in nonprofits or grantmaking and/or project management systems.

• Experience in budget management

• Financial or business management and analysis skills

• Experience managing large-scale projects.

• A good understanding of accruals accounting is required. Strong organizational, time management and analytical skills, able to set up and roll out systems that support the overall operation of the organization.

• Computer literacy with a high level of knowledge and practice using Microsoft Office, notably Word, Excel and PowerPoint and financial software packages.

• Knowledge of post-award compliance best practices.

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Ability to explain policies and procedures/rules and regulations clearly.

How to Apply

Please send non-returnable CV and a cover letter mentioning how your experiences match with the job advert until 12th of February 2024. Please mention your expected salary in your application letter and include 3 professional references into your CV. Applications should be sent to THIS LINK

We are an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage people with disabilities and or women to apply for this position.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Note: Please mention the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.