Finance Specialist – Control And Compliance

Finance and Compliance Officer

Risk and Compliance

The role holder is required to carry out duties in accordance with the Save the Children International (SCI) Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption policy and Code of Conduct. This includes ensuring strict adherence to ethical standards and organizational procedures.

• Understand and comply with SCI policies and procedures at all times.
• Avoid any involvement in fraud, bribery, or corruption in any form.
• Identify and understand risks within their role and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Immediately report any suspected fraud, bribery, or corruption incidents.
• Declare conflicts of interest according to internal procedures.
• Complete all mandatory ethics and anti-fraud training sessions.

Role Purpose

The role holder will support the Senior Finance Manager – Controls and Compliance in ensuring strong financial management systems with a particular focus on financial controls, compliance, and operational efficiency within the finance function.

Scope of Role

Reports to: Senior Finance Manager – Control and Compliance

Direct Reports: None

The Save the Children program in Ethiopia operates a complex portfolio with an annual budget of approximately USD 50 million.

Key Areas of Accountability

1. Financial Systems and Procedures

• Ensure prepayments (staff insurance, vehicle insurance, premises, etc.) are properly amortized on a monthly basis.
• Follow up on HQ transactions from London to ensure accurate and timely processing.
• Coordinate with member focal persons to clear account 11780.
• Support timely online bank reconciliations in line with the Global Finance Manual.
• Ensure Single Account Reconciliation (SAR) of balance sheet and control accounts is completed on a monthly and year-end basis.
• Manage all balance sheet accounts and report status on a monthly basis.
• Assist with AL reconciliations and TG reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

2. Taxes and Other Statutory Requirements

• Support staff awareness of local tax requirements through ongoing orientation sessions.
• Prepare and reconcile monthly VAT schedules to ensure proper documentation and VAT recovery.
• Reclassify rejected VAT balances to appropriate awards before expiry dates.
• Conduct analytical reviews of taxes and deductions to ensure compliance and recommend improvements.
• Ensure proper filing (soft and hard copy) of VAT documentation for reference and audit purposes.
• Ensure timely remittance of withholding taxes to the Tax Revenue Authority.
• Support statutory audits, including annual external audits, with strong financial controls and documentation.
• Assist in managing project audits with external auditors in collaboration with the Awards Team.
• Ensure full implementation of audit recommendations.

3. Audit Functions

• Support local statutory audits and annual external audits with strong financial control and documentation.
• Facilitate smooth audit processes by providing required documents to auditors in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.

Other Responsibilities

The role involves working with internal and external stakeholders including banks, government offices, senior management teams, global finance teams, members, and area management teams.

Skills and Behaviours (Values in Practice)

Accountability

• Takes responsibility for decisions, resources, and performance outcomes.
• Ensures team accountability while supporting development and improvement.

Ambition

• Sets challenging goals and promotes continuous personal and team development.
• Thinks strategically and promotes Save the Children’s vision.

Collaboration

• Builds strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Values diversity and teamwork.

Creativity

• Encourages innovative solutions and calculated risk-taking.

Integrity

• Demonstrates honesty, openness, and transparency at all times.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in corporate or INGO environments, preferably managing large and complex budgets (over USD 50 million).
• Strong understanding of statutory and tax regulations.
• Experience in financial management, compliance, and process improvement.
• Proficiency in accounting systems such as AGRESSO and advanced Excel skills.
• Strong ability to work under pressure in a team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and cultural sensitivity skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly to field offices.
• Commitment to Save the Children values and safeguarding principles.

Additional Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined are not exhaustive and may include additional tasks within the role holder’s capacity and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is expected to adhere to SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies.

Child Safeguarding

The recruitment process includes strict background checks to ensure child protection standards are upheld.

Health and Safety

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance
• Economics / Statistics