Finance and Controlling Advisor

Position title:           Finance and Controlling Advisor 

Working location:   Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Supervisor:             Director of Finance and Controlling, ESAF

Region:                    East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

Contract Period      2 years with possible extension

Context of the Organization

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide. 

Envisioning that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security, we exist to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we need to improve care for children who are at risk, enabling them to overcome precarious conditions and to succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the upcoming decade focuses on ensuring the best care of children, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values guiding who we are and what we do include courage to take action, commitment to keep our promises, trust to believe in each other, and accountability to be reliable Partners.

Job Summary

To enable transparency, accountability as well as the efficient and proper use of funds in the Federation.

To provide services to Member Associations especially policies, tools, consulting, training and monitoring.

To coordinate the allocation of programmes to funding partners and co-ordinate and execute the flow of funds between these funding partners.

To manage financial risks of the Federation on an on-going basis, focusing on accountability in the use of resources and sustainability in the federation-wide funding model.

To provide information relevant to management and legal bodies for controlling and decision-making.

To see the Finance and Controlling role as an integral part of the Federation and act as financial business advisors while ensuring fiduciary compliance

Main Clients

• Director of Finance and Controlling
• Finance and Controlling advisors in other locations.
• Finance and controlling coordinators.
• Functions directors
• National Finance team
• National Directors
• CVI Representatives

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

• Assist the Finance and Controlling service for Federation through providing strategic planning support to International Director ESAF. Participate in the development and update of financial policies and quality standards and implement these policies, Support maintenance of master data in finance systems.
• Offer support to Finance & Controlling Services for Member Associations, in ensuring the provision of financial information for linking of needs and funds and coordinate the allocation of funds, ensure provision of financial information to IO to support the management of Promoting and Supporting Association (PSA) portfolios and monitor Member Association´s (MAs) budgeting process, check quality of NA budgets and monitor budget execution within the given financial frames.
• Ensure MAs accounting data is of acceptable quality standard and ensure MAs manage local and international funds provided by PSAs are in accordance with international guidelines. Ensure MAs have sound and strong internal control system as recommended in the international guidelines. Participates in internal audits of MAs. Ensures MAs provide external financial audit reports timeously with acceptable quality standard in line with policy support document on the external audits. Provide support to MAs and CVI representative in the financial aspects of programme plans and proposals. Monitors MAs financial data and financial key performance indicators. Ensure finance capacity building in MAs. Support MAs and CVI Reps in crisis cases. Ensure implementation of finance related international policies, standard and guidelines in MAs.
• Support the Finance Services for General Secretariat (GSC) in ensuring support to Member Support Advisor in replying and coordinating finance-related PSA / GSC information requests. Ensure correct accounting of membership fees by MAs. Prepare liquidity plan and manage GSC funds on regional/branch level. Prepare the budgets of the regional / branch office. Ensure timely and quality accounting data for the regional / branch office. Ensure timely and quality external financial audit reports for the regional / branch office. Build finance capacity within the FC function.
• Support Treasury & Risk Management through Supporting MAs in their liquidity planning and quality check MA liquidity plans / Prepare regional risk assessments and coordinate and monitor mitigation measures. Execute currency transactions for the regional office. Support MAs in their bank relations
• Support MA’s in ensuring compliance with donor regulations, Local laws and other regulations/standards
• Support the Finance and Controlling Systems by Implementing and give first level user support for MAs for the SOS accounting & controlling systems Microsoft D365 & Dynamics NAV

Knowledge, skills, qualifications, abilities, and behavioral competences:

• Masters’ Degree in Accounting, Finance related field
• At least 8 years’ experience in Finance in NGO sector.
• Demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge of Excel, as well as other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience with Navision and D365 accounting software
• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate effectively across the organization.
• Thorough knowledge of general ledger accounting and account reconciliation
• Highly detail-oriented
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Advanced knowledge of statutory and compliance requirements in Ethiopia.

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send your detailed curriculum vitae (CV), and photocopies of academic certificates. Applications should be submitted electronically through the iCIIMS link provided. All applications should be submitted not later than 6^th July 2023.

Applications that are late do not have a CV or certificates attached will be disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children´s Villages has zero-tolerance neither on sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse nor fraud and corruption, amongst other safeguarding aspects. We also provide equal employment opportunities to all employees & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class. SOS Children´s Villages complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.”

This position involves working with an INGO committed to children and human rights and is subject to strict safer recruitment checks. The successful candidate will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including police and reference checks to help verify their suitability to work for SOS CV. In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, in the selection process will be also explored the motivation and approach of the candidate to safeguarding.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.