The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), 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. ATI is currently engaged in promoting agricultural sector transformation by supporting existing structures of government, private sector, and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks and deliver on a priority national agenda or Transformation Agenda Deliverables (TADs) to achieve agriculture sector growth and food security. 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.

Following the conflict in Northern Ethiopia, the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) with AFD-EU team developed the Food Security and Agricultural Rehabilitation Measures (FARM) in Conflict-Affected Regions of Ethiopia - FARM project. The project focuses on agriculture rehabilitation measures (relaunching and restarting agricultural activities) in the conflict-affected areas of Northern Ethiopia and on laying the foundations for an Agro-ecological and resilient agricultural ecosystem transition of the Ethiopian agricultural sector.

The FARM-project is co-financed by Agency Française de Development (AFD) and the European Union (EU). The project will be implemented under the responsibility of the ATI, with the intention to contribute to the reduction of food insecurity in Ethiopia by rehabilitating and improving agricultural production systems in conflict affected regions which supports the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture in the implementation of various agricultural programs in the country, notably supported by international cooperation.

Our Culture 

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 team work 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 Senior Sub-Grant Officer- Finance is responsible to manage & overseeing all aspects of FARM Project sub-grants process, ensuring compliance with development partners AFD and EU regulations as well as guidelines, organizational policies, and financial requirements. He/she plays a critical part in compliance with the donor regulations and ATI’s internal policies and procedures, mitigating risk through strong systems and controls, capacity building of subgrantees specially in compliance & audits, monitoring their financial and programmatic performance. In addition, he/she will oversee the full grant management cycle of FARM project, from initial setup and budget monitoring to compliance checks, capacity building, and grant close-out. The position holder will work closely with sub-grantees, ensure compliance of sub-grantees in alignment with the execution of each respective agreements, providing guidance, technical support, and training to strengthen their audit, compliance, financial and project management capacities. Additionally, he/she will be conducting regular monitoring, risk assessment and reporting according to SGMT Financial Monitoring Guideline (FMG) to ensure that all sub-grant activities align with organizational goals and development partners expectations. He/she will work to build strong relationships with the sub-grantees and other stakeholders and ensure transparent communication and timely resolution of any issues to support successful delivery on the project targets. He/she will directly report to the Director for the Sub-Grant. She/he will closely work with FARM project team at the head office and the regions. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

A senior Sub-grant officer-Finance is responsible to provide a comprehensive approach to FARM Project sub-grant management, mitigating risk through strong systems and controls, due diligence, ensuring compliance, effectiveness, and accountability in the allocation and use of grant funds, collaborate closely with FARM project team, to align sub grant activities with program timelines and objectives as per agreed terms in the respective agreements.

Detail Responsibilities:

• Oversee the full cycle of FARM Project sub-grant management, including grant setup, budget monitoring, and grant close-out.

• Ensure FARM Project optimal fund utilization in accordance with SGMT operation manual, implementing guideline and grant agreements in alignment with ATI's Financial Management Policy, development partners-specific guidelines.

• Identify and address FARM Project financial risks, including fraud, mismanagement, and non-compliance, apply mitigation strategies and provide corrective action for financial mismanagement cases 

• Strengthen FARM Project financial reporting and audit preparedness to uphold development partner trust maintain transparent relationships by proactively addressing identified gaps. 

• Improve FARM Project monitoring effectiveness through organized quarterly financial reviews adhering to financial regulation and development partner AFD and EU compliance.

• Review FARM Project financial reports in alignment with supportive documents thus ensure AFD and EU compliance are adhered.

• Initiate FARM Project verified financial report for settlement that adhere to agreements and compliance requirements of development partners.

• Conduct FARM Project utilization of fund analysis to ensure eligibility for next round disbursement

• Ensure the execution of FARM Project subgrant agreements, ensuring alignment with original grant terms and the appropriate flow-down of conditions.

• Advise on FARM Project subgrant management and program team, ensuring sub-grants are represented, discussions documented, and FARM project tracking supported.

• Coordinate FARM Project external reporting to development partners, ensuring high-quality reports are delivered on time.

• Provide training, technical support, and capacity-building initiatives to FARM Project sub-grantees to enhance their grant management and financial skills.

• Maintain FARM Project comprehensive documentation of grant agreements, financial transactions, reports, and correspondence.

• Provide a very thorough check on the application of all internal policies and procedures in every aspect of FARM Project grant management documents. 

• Conduct FARM Project regular subgrant financial reviews and reconciliations to ensure accurate grant spending and compliance with approved budgets.

• Monitor FARM Project subgrant financial and programmatic reports submitted by subgrantees for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.

• Ensure that FARM Project grant files are kept to the standard level (hard and soft copies) in a very systematic order and all the relevant information is accessible from the common folders-ERP system/share points.

• Make periodic and planned field visit and ensure that the FARM Project development partners as well as ATI internal policies and procedures are implemented to adequate standard. 

• Ensure that the FARM Project field visits are completed with a standard visit report on observations and includes recommendations. Perform quarterly review work whether such recommendations are implemented in a consistent manner.

• Implement ATI’s sub-grant policies and development partners (AFD and EU) compliance regulations uniformly across all FARM Project activities, in alignment with internal policies, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines. 

• Conduct regular reviews of FARM Project sub-recipient budgets, cost justifications, related matching funds (if applicable), and compliance considerations, including conflicts of interest and data use policies.

• Support and follow up the FARM Project implementation of internal audit recommendations and prepare reports based on findings

• Conduct monitoring and support FARM Project site visits and Prepare report of the site visit upload to the profile of each subgrantee

• Ensure that all necessary subgrantee financial records for FARM project are stored securely and are easily accessible for audits or reviews.   

• Report and address any FARM Project   irregularities, potential fraud, or misuse of grant funds promptly.

• Implement corrective action plans of FARM Project when issues arise, working closely with the legal and compliance teams to resolve. 

• Assist in FARM Project sub grant close-outs ensuring that all requirements of the sub grant agreement have been met and that Sub grant funds have been properly settled

• Prepare FARM Project subgrant-related reports for senior management and development partners as required.

• Handle other FARM Project duties assigned by his/her supervisor. 

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies, and Experience

• BA or MA degree in Accounting, Finance, business administration or related discipline from a recognized institution. or ACCA Qualification. Compensating Education + Experience can be considered.

•  A minimum of 10 years for BA degree and 8 years for MA Degree with direct experiences in subgrant management, risk management & donor compliance, grant administration, and sub-recipient management, with at least 2 years in a senior role.

• Experience working in donor financed project(s) specially in Subgrant management -Finance stream.

• Experience with multi-donor programs, especially in International Development Sector/ Agriculture sector is preferred.

• Strong sub-grant management skills with an ability to build relationships with government, NGOs, and private sector counterparts.

• Strong familiarity with major donor regulations agency Française de Development (AFD) and European union (EU).

• Knowledgeable in, accounting, budget management, database management, and project management.

• Proficient in prioritizing high workloads in dynamic settings and resolving emerging project needs creatively.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail and proactive initiative.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

• Fluency in English and Amharic, with strong verbal and written communication skills; additional local languages are a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with FARM Project  internal and external stakeholders, meet deadlines, and respect ATI’s values and policies

• Good knowledge of ERP is a plus.

• Excellent interpersonal communication and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Self-starter with strong motivation, ownership, and commitment to deliver results.

• Promotes data-driven and evidence-based problem solving and decision making.

• Strong team player with excellent relationship building and communication skills.

• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty, and desire to be of service.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to relate to and gain the confidence of the senior leadership. 

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. 

• Proven leadership ability, with the skills to manage a team and stakeholders and influence others through informal guidance, coaching and feedback.

• Ability to work effectively with regional team and partners and ensure timely data exchange and problem solving between the Federal and Regional levels. 

• Ability to work under pressure and in a constantly evolving and challenging environment.

• Excellent analytical skills and computer literate.

• Willingness to travel to regions to provide technical support.

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. It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application. 

Women are highly encouraged to apply 

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.