Technical Advisor II - Finance and Administration

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Over the last 65 years, CRS Ethiopia has established a prominent position among development and humanitarian stakeholders with a consistent and high-quality reputation for strong organizational, operational, and multi-sectoral technical expertise. CRS Ethiopia maintains a broad geographic reach, improving woreda, kebele and community level accountability through its network of local partners. CRS is a leader in emergency programming through our flagship Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP). Moving beyond emergency response, CRS’ disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought? and flood?prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food interventions in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. Nationally, CRS has a reputation as a leader in peacebuilding, particularly as a facilitator of inter-community social cohesion strengthening. 

Position Title: Technical Advisor II - Finance and Administration

Job Grade: 10

Duty Station: CRS Ethiopia/Dire Dawa

Department: Partner Capacity Strengthening, Local Leadership and Strategic Linkages for ALL-Right Project

Required Number: 1

Employment term: Definite term (i.e. up to 31st May 2027)

Reports to: TAII-Operations

Application Deadline: July 7, 2024

Job Summary: 

The Finance and Administration Technical Advisor (FATA) will oversee the proper implementation of the new financial workflow process and systems, the financial planning, management, and reporting aspects for the Hararghe Catholic Secretariat (HCS). The FATA is critical for the overall improvement of finance and operations and to the success of the program goals in general. The FATA will also provide financial and administrative guidance, overseeing all financial, contractual, and procurement aspects for HCS in line with the new financial workflow systems. This position will work closely with the Executive Director, CRS PCS/ LL Program Manager, HCS Finance Manager; HCS HR, as well as the Procurement and Operation Support Division. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Accompany and coordinate with the consultant to be deployed for the review of existing financial workflow and development of the updated financial workflow processes and related activities. 
• Follow up and ensure the implementation of new processes, procedures and policies that further enhance the delivery of financial services and accelerate the seamless, coordinated delivery of program management
• Support the implementation of Financial Software system in the departments, such as computerized Payroll systems, Banking systems, Budget and Expenditure, Procurement systems, asset Management systems that could result in efficiency and speed in the transactions. 
• Ensure financial systems and reports are compatible with standard accounting practices and follow donor policies and regulations.
• Work closely with HR and Procurement departments to ensure newly updated processes are in place
• Develop and/or update tools, manuals and other resources for the successful financial and operations management of the organization
• Work with the HCS Management, CRS Ethiopia leadership, CRS Finance team, CRS PCS /LL team to improve and standardize HCS operations and resolve operational issues at the organizational level. 
• Provide advice, support, and guidance related to HCS financial operations, policies, procedures and processes aligned with organizational, regulatory and donor requirements. 
• Provide high-level support to a qualified finance team and align their efforts to project goals to ensure rapid and sustainable results, efficient operations and compliance in all areas.
• Provide capacity building, coaching, and mentoring of HCS staff by developing learning activities and materials to train and update HCS finance staff in the newly updated financial workflow/system 
• Coordinate with ALL-Right project team and ensures that donors’ resources are appropriately directed to project priorities and are in line with project core work plans. 
• In collaboration and regular communication with CRS PCS /LL Operations Technical Advisor and CRS Finance Team, ensure that findings resulting from different assessments including SRFMP and HOCAI are addressed based on respective action plans.   
• Works closely with CRS Risk and Compliance and Monitoring staff to ensure financial, contractual, and administrative compliance. 

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• BA/MA in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, or a related field

• 8+ years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management and administration, project management, grants management, and procurement of development and/or humanitarian assistance programs

• 4+ years’ experience in a senior finance role overseeing financial management and administration, project management, grants management, and procurement of humanitarian assistance programs.

• Knowledge of USG agency regulations in finance, grants, contracts, and administrative regulations, policies and practices, and reporting requirements, professional accounting, and auditing standards
• Knowledge of country statutory requirements including audit, tax, registration, reporting and other applicable national laws.

Personal Skills:

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions. 

• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

• In depth knowledge financial software applications, databases, and spreadsheets, including Microsoft Office.

• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with colleagues, donors, and local authorities Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.  

• Demonstrated experience organizing resources and establishing priorities.

• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.  

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English    

Travel Required: 20% to CRS Addis office and HCS district sub-offices.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: N/A 

Internal: CRS PCS /LL, CRS Finance and Operations staff

External: HCS Finance and Program staff, ECS Operations, Consultant, Local Government including tax authorities, and ACSO

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

 Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):  

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.
• 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.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

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/241793317272560 

and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline July 8, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.