National Finance Officer

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries in identifying and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

Position Summary

The National Finance Officer will provide high-level financial oversight and support to ensure compliance with internal financial policies and donor regulations. While there will be a particular focus on managing and reporting on projects funded by the European Union (EU) and the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), the role also encompasses financial oversight of other donor-funded projects within the country. This position requires in-depth knowledge of EU and DGIS financial guidelines, along with demonstrated expertise in budget management, donor reporting, and financial compliance across a range of international funding sources. The National Finance Officer plays a critical role in maintaining transparency, accountability, and financial integrity across the organization’s operations.

Responsibilities :

Accounting/Finance

• Handle accounting and financial policy compliance with expenditure authorization, requirements from requisitions through country office approvals to complete support document trails;
• Work with grant recipients to ensure that implementation of such awards conform to donor procurement and competition requirements;
• Implement IFDC and donor procedures and provide policy guidance and interpretation for program staffers and grantees to ensure adherence to grant management procedures;
• Ensure grant management in accordance with relevant regulations, including but not limited to reporting, audits, etc. in accordance with donor policies, and procedures;
• Ensure that the annual audit is conducted, and the audit report is submitted to the Ethiopian government in compliance with local regulatory requirements;
• Review and contribute to internal reports, annual work plans, and quarterly and monthly reports;
• Track and review grants and expenses through the NetSuite reports, ensuring compliance with donor agreements and IFDC policies;
• Work closely with the grants and procurement teams to ensure financial coordination across departments;
• Coordinate with the HQ finance team to ensure smooth consolidation and reporting of donor project finances;
• Perform periodic financial analysis to detect and resolve fraud and errors respectively;
• Manage the countries Payroll and ensure staff salary and benefits are paid in a timely manner while ensuring that all legal requirements regarding employment of staff are implemented (social security, income tax, work schedule);
• Facilitate the required support and guidance in NetSuite for country office accountants and assistant accountants, and ensure the monthly accounting is closed and the fund request is submitted on a timely basis.

Training

• Support the projects in review of the partners and subgrantees financial reports ensuring compliance;
• Maintain the financial integrity of the office by enforcing appropriate internal controls and ensuring that the staff in the country understand and observe the IFDC and donor Procedures Manual;
• Serve as contact point between IFDC Office in the country regarding Finance/Accounting issues and all donor finance-related matters within the organization;
• Train and support projects and finance staff on financial rules and reporting procedures;
• Provide technical guidance on compliance during procurement processes and contract management.

Budget

• Support Chiefs of Party (CoPs) in the country with project budget forecasting and monitor their budget to track spending;
• Assist with the preparation and planning of project budgets in the country and monitor the implementation of budgeting according to project guidelines.

Others

• Provide support to the Country Director on other financial issues;
• Perform any other duties deemed necessary and requested by the supervisors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, and a minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role;
• Master's degree with at least 5 years in managing finances for International Non-Governmental Organizations;
• Accounting certification (CPA, ACCA) or equivalent qualifications is desired;
• In-depth knowledge of financial regulations and accounting processes;
• Outstanding analytical and time management skills, with a proven ability to work independently under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Strong attention to detail, most specifically Accounting and Finance detail;
• Strong computer skills with experience in MS Office software and accounting software is desired.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience working in a similar multidisciplinary and international environment;
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, teamwork skills, with the ability to maintain effective work relationships;
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the achievement of goals.

Reporting and Work Relationships

The NFO will report to the Regional Finance Officer with a matrix reporting to the Country Director by handling all financial/ accounting, partnership grants aspects of the country office and helping to provide the overall financial oversight to the Global Finance Department.

Location

This is a national recruitment with a duty station at the IFDC office based in Ethiopia.

Benefits

IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits.

Diversity Clause

IFDC is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance