Senior Finance & Ops Expert

As part of achieving the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy’s goals for the forest sector, targets set in the NFSDP and as part of its REDD+ Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MEFCC) is setting up a Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU). The FSTU is formed to create a multi-sectoral coordination platform to bring about transformational change in the forest sector through initiating innovative approaches and guide implementation, compile lessons/challenges for adoption, promote engagement with private sector and CSOs in forest sector/REDD+ undertaking as well as to analyze the policy environment and the roles of the forest sector in achieving the CRGE objectives.

The unit is to be set up for highly capable professionals who are distinctive in their field and energized about the development of Ethiopia and its forest sector.  The unit will focus on supporting implementation of forestry initiatives under the REDD+ Implementation Plan with the ministry as well as building a broader portfolio of initiatives with the private sector and civil society that will allow rapid scale and impact in both afforestation / reforestation as well as forest protection in Ethiopia.

The FSTU is seeking a Senior Finance and Operations Expert who will lead the financial management and internal operations of the unit. The Finance Expert will also have the primary responsibility for establishing and leading the operational systems critical for the FSTU to realize its strategic objectives, with superlative internal systems (HR, Procurement, Logistics, and IT) that are seamlessly coordinated and integrated. This is a hands-on and exciting opportunity to be at the front and center of strengthening Ethiopia’s forestry sector from the ground up and drive the development and execution of ambitious and challenging new initiatives throughout the sector.   

• Financial
  • Financial controlling:
    • Manage the FSTU account;
    • Facilitate Account Auditing, prepare periodic Financial Reporting of the FSTU and send it to the CRG Facility;
    • Ensures that the CSOs and Private Sector, which engage with the FSTU shall follow the agreed-upon financial management and procurement standards;
    • Verify financial reports and financial control systems, identifying gaps and improving processes when required
    • Manage funding agreements with implementing partners for pilot / scale-up programs
    • Oversee financial activities of the project development and delivery teams and support as needed
  • Financial analysis:
    • Conduct analyses of monthly reports, costing, variance, and financial results to inform operational and strategic decisions
  • Audit:
    • Conduct spot-checks;
    • Facilitate audit preparation and manage auditor for financial year end
  • Initiate and oversee internal audits as required
  • Group level financial management:
    • Manage group level treasury, financial reporting, and consolidations
  • Budgeting:
    • Prepare detailed yearly financial plan
    • Support Director & Deputy Director in preparing annual budget
  • Support the Director in analysing the financial results of FSTU and implementing actions to improve financial performance
• Operations 
  • Work closely with the FSTU Deputy Director to establish, manage and maintain the basic internal systems the FSTU required for operational effectiveness, particularly for operational support (human resources, procurement, logistics, and information technology) in line with its mandates
  • Organize effective internal communications and administrative systems, allowing for overall smooth and effective operations within the FSTU
  • Manage the FSTU procurement in line with international and Government of Ethiopia standards, building a procurement system of exceptional integrity
  • Manage the units office and adapt physical infrastructure to the emerging needs of the FSTU
  • Ensure the long-term maintenance and management of logistics, communications, IT and other systems and infrastructure, adapting them over time as needs change
  • Support the Director / Deputy Director to identify, hire and orient an exceptional set of FSTU staff

• Experience as Finance and Operations expert ideally in a public or development institution setting, including familiarity with financial controls and processes under large-scale grant agreements
• Experience in organizational development, systems creation and management, leadership of complex organizations, etc.
• Demonstrable experience in developing, implementing and managing Finance, HR, IT, procurement, logistics and/or administrative systems
• Experience in process improvement in Finance, HR, IT, procurement, logistics, and/or administrative processes with demonstrated results
• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment
• Strong understanding of financial, legal, administrative and operational standards and procedures in the Ethiopian context
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and culturally sensitive
• Strong team player, highly energetic, self-motivated, goal-oriented and committed to shared goals
• Strong set of personal values, including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service

• BA/BSc or MA/MSC degree in Accounting, Financial Management, or related subject.  Recognized accounting certification is preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience with Bachelors and 8 years of experience with Masters, of which 5-6 years of financial controls and analysis experience, preferably achieving Manager position.
• Experience recruiting and managing an accounting department.
• Experience in a public or development institution setting preferred, including familiarity with financial controls and processes under large-scale grant agreements.
• Proven record of leadership in a work setting.
• Ability to work with people at all levels of a team.
• Experience with process improvement.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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