Accountant Assistant - USAID DRM Activity at Research Triangle Institute (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI)

Position: Accountant Assistant - USAID DRM Activity

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Addis Abeba - Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 week ago

Deadline: July, 20/2024 (12 days left)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders in the workforce, address climate change, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, build resilience to climate and man-made shock, and engage the next generation of local leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Project Description

The Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Activity is a five-year USAID-funded program implemented by RTI International. The purpose of the USAID DRM Activity is to strengthen DRM planning and preparedness capacity, improve DRM coordination, enhance resource mobilization and management, and enable timely implementation of anticipatory actions to preempt crises and reduce the impacts of shocks. The activity will also strengthen gender in emergencies (GiE) capacity, increase private sector engagement in DRM, and expand local organizations’ capacity to engage in DRM. The Activity will provide strategic support to DRM institutions in the implementation of Ethiopia’s new Disaster Risk Management Policy and Disaster Risk Finance Strategy.

Position Description

RTI is seeking an Accountant Assistant for the USAID Ethiopia DRM Activity. The Accountant Assistant will support with the implementation of appropriate financial management systems and procedures (payroll, cash management, vendor payments, budgeting, and other related expenditures) to properly disburse, account, budget and report project funds that are cost-effective, timely, have proper internal controls, and comply with the terms of the agreement.

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will report to the Finance Manager.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional support for RTI’s finance and accounting procedures.
• Support the finance and accounting team in the preparation and submission of monthly expense reports to the RTI home office.
• Support the Accountant and Finance Manager in consolidating monthly, quarterly and annual expenditure projections
• Review project expenditures and financial transactions to ensure they comply with RTI policies and procedures, the terms of the agreement, and donor rules and regulations.
• Support the compilation of expense support documents and prepare expenses for payment
• Reconcile cash accounts for field offices.
• Support the cash management functions required in maintaining RTI bank accounts and managing petty cash accounts.
• Follow up with regional offices to ensure that bi-weekly expense reports are submitted within the deadline.
• Support the finance team in the preparation of tax withholding vouchers, reconciliation with the ledger, and timely declaration to the Ministry of Revenues
• Support the finance team in preparing USAID VAT refunds and ensure vendors have declared their VAT monthly and submitted to USAID on time.
• Reconcile monthly VAT receivables and VAT requested.
• Support electronic and physical filing by printing, scanning, and timely uploading of accounting records in a well-organized manner.
• Support in conducting routine spot checks and performing audits as required
• Flag potential risks and issues and recommend process improvements to the Finance Manager to mitigate risks and improve the quality of reporting.
• Support the provision of training materials for regional finance staff.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by their supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience working in an accounting function and environment is desired.
• An understanding of and commitment to RTI’s mission and values.
• Discreet in the judgment and management of confidential matters, materials, and sensitive issues.
• Ability to answer most inquiries and questions independently and follow up on requests in an efficient manner.
• Ability to resolve problem situations is a tactful and effective communicator, both orally and in writing, and ability to deal with persons of diverse cultures.
• Ability to understand and interpret policies and procedures and apply them with consistency in various circumstances.
• Ability to follow guidelines and controls required of the position.
• Ability to function independently and carry out routine responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Must be proficient in MS Excel and working knowledge of accounting software is preferable.
• Ability to monitor the progress of a project against milestones or deadlines double-check the accuracy of information to discover weaknesses or missing data and strive for high-quality performance.
• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills (attention to detail is required); flexibility and capacity to multi-task.
• Verbal and written fluency in English is required.
• Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times.