Position:Finance Officer : Disbursement

Term of Employment: One Year with a possibility of extension  

Duty Station(s):   Addis Ababa 

Required Number:One

Application Deadline: October 31, 2024

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce. The ATI’s work is centred on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability. 

The ATI works to transform the agriculture sector in Ethiopia by conducting policy and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support and capacity building, coordinating.  platforms to better integrate partners and projects and designing and directly leading several innovative/pilot interventions. The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives. In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities. The Institute plays a crucial role in generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

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.

The Finance Officer -Disbursement is responsible for the execution of financial transactions, recording, reporting, and any auxiliary or supporting 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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Disbursement: Ensure efficient and timely disbursement processing

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

• Payment Voucher Registration (ERP), Bank Transfer & Check Preparation

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of checks and bank transfers.

• Ensure the completeness of supporting documents and the accurate account coding of financial records relating to financial transactions being processed.

• Prepare/Register (ERP) payment vouchers (for Cash and Cheque payments) as per approved payment requests and/or authenticated invoices and receipts and present the vouchers for verification and approval by the responsible persons. 

• Make cheque payments only after getting approval/authorization from Responsible authority.

• Prepare receipts for Government withheld taxes VAT & WHT and provide to the supplier up on effecting the payment.

• Submit complete financial documents/Vouchers on timely basis, to Data management officers for intact posting

• Handle monthly Government Obligations like VAT, withholding tax, income tax, pension etc, & settle to the respective Gov’t Organ (ERCA) as per the prescribed submission date.

• Facilitate workshop payment and payee to participants after clearing of document authentication.

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.

• 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.

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

Required qualifications, competencies, skills, training, and experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting and finance field of study with 4 years or 2 years relevant experience respectively, working as a finance officer or disbursement officer with experience in transaction processing, reporting, planning, and/or disbursement 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

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

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

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.  

Women are highly encouraged to apply. 

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted