Project Finance Manager/Programme Finance Coordinator 121 views2 applications

Background:

Farm Africa vision is a prosperous rural Africa. We are a specialist development NGO working with smallholder farmers, forest communities, local government and private sectors across East Africa for the last 30 years. With community engagement underpinning our approach, we design and implement sustainable solution to rural poverty based on evidence and best practices. In 2015 we reached approximately 1.8 million pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, farmers and forest dwellers in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Farm Africa has worked in Ethiopia for over 28 years, throughout Oromia, SNNPR, Benishangul, Tigray and Afar regions. With funding from a range of institutional donors and foundations including DFID, EU, Irish Aid, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Comic Relief, Barr Foundation, and Ashden Charitable Trust, we have implemented a large portfolio of projects primarily focusing on three areas: agriculture (crop and livestock production), natural resource management, and market engagement. We implement projects directly with communities and these three approaches are further enhanced with integration of cross cutting issues such as climate change, gender and capacity building.

Farm Africa is implementing a large number of projects/programmes in the areas of agriculture (crop and livestock), natural resources management and market engagement across Ethiopia. We are increasingly designing and implementing complex and integrated multi-sector projects, some by ourselves and some others in partnership with like-minded organizations in the form of consortium.

Purpose of the Role:

Currently, Farm Africa, in partnership with SoS Sahel-Ethiopia, SEDA, PHE-EC and IWMI, will be implementing an integrated multi-sector project in Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. The project will employ a landscape approach to integrate and coordinator activities across sectors and actors so as to ensure a sustainable use and management of environmental resources for socio-economic development in the project intervention areas. The project will work across 18 woredas located in two regional states, namely Oromia and SNNPRS. Farm Africa is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Programme Manager responsible for leading this complex, multi-sector and consortium based project.

The post holder will be responsible for all financial support in respect to the ‘Growth for the Future (G4F/SIDA-II)’ project including, but not limited to, development and modification of budgets & forecasts; preparation and submission of donor financial reports on time and accurately; ensuring compliance with grant conditions relating to finance; provision of financial analysis and support on ongoing budget management; monitoring of on-going spending. He/she will also be responsible for building the capacity of the relevant project finance team and work as a principal contact for project audits.

Key areas of responsibilities are:

Financial Management & Reporting

• Ensure project audits (internal, external & donor) are planned for & properly managed
• Prepares  donor reports on time and ensuring qualities
• Support Programme Manager/Coordinator in monitoring variances and getting responses to any variances that exceed agreed limits.
• Review  and post all project related financial transactions arising at field office level and submitted by partners/consortium members
• Prepare appropriate months  budget monitoring reports for projects as required by the program department, CO and HQ
• Advise and assist senior management /project staff and other support staff in the budget preparation
• Work closely with project budget holders for which she/he is responsible and project finance personnel to monitor all budgets to ensure compliance with donor requirements and also monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with budgets
• Participate in the quarterly review meetings and assist project coordinators as well as program managers in reviewing variances from the grant contracts to take actions before donor reports sent
• Ensure all relevant staff members are informed of donor requirements and work closely with program and other support functions to ensure compliance
• Maintain and manage project  finance filing system to ensure that it provides easy and immediate access to financial information
• Provides support to program staff on the financial analysis.
• Assist  project managers on allocation, revision and monitoring of funds and on sub-grant management issues
• Assist program staff in periodic budget review, and preparation of budget amendments when necessary
• Actively participate and assist the Program Department, Program support and field offices in the preparation and review of proposal development and annual budget processing and on allocation, revision and monitoring of funds (resources).
• Prepare Reports for Government whenever required using related formats
• Maintain a financial report tracking system linked to key deliverables
• Closely monitor as well as conduct periodic review of partner accounts as well as prepare sound cash management system at field level
• Prepare and monitor fund balances of the project in both base and donor currency
• Prepare monthly balance sheet accounts
• Establish a system to control and follow up of all income requests.
• Reconciliations with London and partner organizations expenditures of projects
• Actively participate in the monthly financial report reviews for assigned Field Offices and make necessary adjusting entries, if any
• Prepare donor currency fund status report on a monthly basis and assist program staff on currency gain/loss analysis
• Prepare grants/contracts donor reports for contract monitoring and submission to donors
• Review and analyse sub grant reports and pass the necessary journal entries for assigned partners’ financial reports

Technical support and training

• Follow up and monitor project accounts to ensure that their spending is within the new CSA guideline
• Provide training to project staff for which she/he is responsible on donor requirements and related compliance requirements as well as travel to project sites.  Give appropriate induction and training on FA anti corruption and bribery policy and make an effort to ensure compliance donors requirements
• Be part of project audit process as well as in the annual general audit of Farm Africa
• Contribute to the improvement of the finance systems and working standards and establish good network with similar NGOs as well as partner organizations

Learning

• Keep up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples and ensure ongoing personal development and learning
• Ensure the communication of finance policies and procedures with in Farm Africa , with partners and other stakeholders as appropriate
• Performs other duties as assigned by the line manager.

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

Our Values:

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specializing in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

• EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.
• GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.
• IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.
• BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.

Job Requirements

Qualification and Experience:

• ACCA/Second Degree or equivalent in the area of finance/accounting and related fields
• Excellent communication skills in English language(both written and verbal)
• A sound understanding of administration procedures
• Good understanding and firm belief in gender equality
• Above five years of experience in financial management in similar organizations
• Experience of working with major donors, including DFID and EU, as well as Federal and Regional Government and the CSA
• Significant financial management experience at a senior level.
• Project budget monitoring in multiple currencies
• Presentation of complex financial and non-financial information
• Knowledge of SUN & Vision 5 accounting system

Skills and Abilities:

• Skills in budgeting and maintaining accounts
• Proactive & innovative approach to problem solving
• Ability to work under pressure and plan / prioritize workload
• Financial analysis and forecasting
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and advanced excel skills
• Excellent communication skills (written
• and verbal)Strong report writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of Farm Africa

How to Apply

Those who meet the above requirements should submit their short CV (maximum of 3 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 page) addressing [email protected] with the subject G4F Project Finance Manager/Programme Finance Coordinator by January 20, 2019.

Documents cannot be returned and due to large number of applications, only short listed candidates will be contacted. Applications are especially welcomed from female applicants.