Project/Grant Accountant
About the Job
Job Title: Project/Grant Accountant
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Department: Programs
Job grade: 8
Reports To: Grants Manager
Number required: 1(one)
Term of employment: Indefinite period
Country/Location: CRS Ethiopia
Job Summary:
You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation CP projects in accordance with donors’ policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the project/grant financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project/grants’ life cycle.
Note: Depending on the project/grant portfolio (scope and complexity), the Project/Grant Accountant can be assigned responsibilities such prepare/review budgets and agreements for new proposals and any amendments with donors and sub recipients. Support Budget managers in preparing PO detail lines and RFGS etc.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project/grant subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project/grant accounts in ERP System.
- Monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in grant and financial management.
- Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules from donors and subrecipients and alert relevant project/grant staff of due payments/collections and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
- Coordinate with finance and participate in preparing various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist project/grant staff with decision-making.
- Provide information to project/grant staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
- Perform assigned treasury project/grant (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.
- With collaboration with the CP finance and risk and compliance, assist internal, government and/or donor audits.
- Follow up and implement on a timely basis internal, government and/or donor audit recommendations.
- Follow up on timely uploading of all grants related documents to CRS grant management system (Gateway).
- Participate and support in proposal budget development and review processes
- Participate and make a close follow up on PO creation processes such as detail budget for PO lines, RFGS and making sure POET information are correctly reflected
- Close follow up of SR advances and liquidations are submitted on a timely basis
- Follow up on SR liquidation and project reporting trackers
- Coordinate with finance operation and program team to ensure all grant closure activities are completed as per the grant closure checklist.
About You
Basic Qualifications
- Masters or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
- Minimum of 3 years for a Master’s degree and 5 years’ experience for a Bachelor’s degree in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO.
- Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience preferred. Knowledge of accounting software or similar financial reporting software a plus.
- Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
- Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Required Languages – Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 %.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
- Good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
- Ability to work collaboratively.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of ERP system or similar financial reporting software preferred.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Programming staff, Operations staff, Finance and Compliance staff, Supply chain.
External: Partners, Recipients, Consultants, CRS Regional team.
Required Skills
- Budgeting
- Account management
How To Apply
If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through this link: https://form.jotform.com/243403321072543 and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on December 16, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Qualified females and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Program Manager I – Cash
About the Job
Job Title: Program Manager I – Cash
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Department: JEOP
Job grade: 9
Reports To: Program Manager II– Cash
Number required: 1(one)
Term of employment: Definite term (i.e. up to March 30, 2027)
Country/Location: CRS Ethiopia
The Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP)
JEOP is an emergency food assistance mechanism which targets transitory food insecure households through a participatory Vulnerability-Based Targeting (VBT) process. JEOP supports addressing the emergency needs outlined in the GoE’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) through both cash and commodity modalities. It has been operational for a decade, serving a fluctuating caseload of 1.5 to over 6 million people annually. Led by CRS, JEOP consortium includes CARE, Food for the Hungry Ethiopia (FHE), Organization for Rehabilitation and Development (ORDA -Ethiopia), Relief Society of Tigray (REST), and World Vision Ethiopia (WV); CRS implements through local Catholic Church partners, Hararghe Catholic Secretariat (HCS) and Meki Catholic Secretariat (MCS). More recently, the consortium has attracted GOAL Ethiopia to support the implementation of nutrition response. CRS and partners are implementing JEOP response across woredas in Amhara, Oromia, South Ethiopia, Sidama, Tigray, Afar and Dire Dawa City Administration.
Job Summary:
You will Manage cash programming within the JEOP. You will provide technical advice and CVA program design and implementation support to a range of JEOP Consortium Members during the scaling up of Market-based programming that includes market and cash feasibility assessments and response activities related to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), food security and nutrition programming. In line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices, the Programme Manager supports JEOP Program teams and consortium members to advance the delivery of high-quality market-based programming to the poor and vulnerable impacted by humanitarian crises. As needed/requested, you will contribute to the development or review of existing CVA SOP, resources and/or tools to strengthen or build capacity and mainstream market-based programming within the JEOP, including cash and voucher assistance, AAR and best practices, internally within CRS and with partners. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the JEOP Consortium delivers a high-quality cash response and continuously work towards improving the impact of food assistance.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work with consortium members to facilitate the implementation of food and nutrition cash response activities relevant project cycle – assessments, contribute to the project design, plan and implement in close collaboration with the local government and partners, close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure cash response team utilize the appropriate systems and tools.
- Participate and support JEOP consortium members market assessment including rapid and market monitoring assessments to gather and analyse data that supports cash programming decisions. Participate in joint assessments.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise – Manage related cash team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Support implementing partners to ensure JEOP standards and CRS guiding principles, program quality standards and donor requirements are met throughout the implementation of cash transfer.
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cash assistance programs, ensuring adherence to humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and quality compliance, while collaborating with partners and Financial Service Providers (FSPs).
- Provide ongoing training, support, and monitoring to ensure SOP implementation, fostering coordination and continuous improvement across partners and stakeholders.
- Work closely with the JEOP Consortium to ensure a good understanding of needs, market feasibility assessments, are conducted in line with agreed processes, and with close coordination of the cash working group and cash related task force eg. cash for nutrition task force etc.
- Champion learning with CRS and JEOP consortium staff. Organize after action learning events and closely collaborate with the MEAL team to analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
- Contribute and provide information in support of project design and proposal development in food assistance, gap-filling, and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
- Proactively coordinate the identification of JEOP consortium member capacity and technical assistance needs and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality programme implementation.
- Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping for cash transfer activities at both CRS and partner levels, contributing to a well-organized system that includes, but is not limited to, VBT lists, MBL, payroll, daily and monthly distribution summary reports, bank instruction letters, and other key documents, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
- Ensure adherence to humanitarian standards and efficient resource use through effective planning, monitoring, oversight, and alignment with project goals, timelines, and donor requirements.
- Coordinate with cash actors including through participation in relevant national or sub-national working groups, clusters and working groups. Work with others to ensure timely distribution of cash assistance to targeted project participants, including timely preparation and approval of recipient master beneficiary payment lists. Ensure JEOP Consortium approaches (such as timely data to support modality selection, transfer values, etc.) are aligned with country recommendations and with other actors.
About You
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
- Degree in International Development, social science, economics, International Relations or in the field of Food Security required with four years of experience or Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in cash programming. Additional experience may substitute for years of education.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based, hands-on cash assistance experience in the designing, planning and delivery of humanitarian cash assistance, market feasibility assessments, risk analysis, collaboration and coordinating cash assistance, or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
- Experience working in emergency or recovery programming.
Required Languages – English. Amharic and other local language abilities desirable.
- Travel – Position is based in Addis Ababa. Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% to JEOP Operation areas including hard to reach areas.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
- Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
- Strong analytical and writing skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports.
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
Preferred Qualifications
- Project management experience in emergency cash programming is highly desirable.
- Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning skills and experience preferred.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing applications, information management systems.
- Understanding of digital cash-based programing including Red Rose system, mobile money transfer etc.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal and Partner: CRS Country team, in-country technical staff, MEAL Manager, Technical Advisors including HRD, JEOP consortium members, cash team, JEOP management, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, Procurement Manager, Human Resources Manager, Partner Staff, and other technical advisors.
External: Government and Key coordination forums.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Required Skills
- Account management
Desired Skills
- Account management
How To Apply
If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through this link: https://form.jotform.com/243438749541566 and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on December 19, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
