About the job

Job Background and Purpose

The Rift Valley Institute (RVI) manages the Ethiopia Peace Research Facility (PRF). A key purpose of the Facility is to ensure that, in Ethiopia, the UK's and a broad set of Ethiopian and international stakeholders political and development diplomacy and intervention are better informed by analysis and conflict sensitivity advice, thereby enhancing its contributions to building peace.

The current phase of PRF implemented with funding from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) which runs up to the end of March 2024, is expected to be extended for a further three years from April 2024.

RVI is recruiting a Grant and Compliance Officer to ensure smooth management of all grants awarded by donors to implement PRF and other programmes and projects in Ethiopia. The post holder will work with others to ensure that the RVI Ethiopia office adheres to all its grant management obligations and standards, the specific requirements of donors and the expected compliance laid out by the regulatory and oversight institutions in Ethiopia.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS, SCOPE OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOURCES

Key Working Relationships: The Grant and Compliance Officer works closely with the Head of Office, other PRF team members, the wider Finance team at RVI and other staff as relevant.

Scope of Work: The Grant and Compliance Officer will ensure the PRF and other programmes and projects are compliant with the contractual requirements of FCDO and other donors, statutory requirements of the Government of Ethiopia, and relevant financial management requirements of RVI.

Responsibility for Resources: With oversight from the Head of Office, the Grant and Compliance Officer has overall responsibility for ensuring robust management of the grants received from FCDO and other donors to implement PRF interventions and other programmes and projects in Ethiopia.  He/she will be responsible for ensuring effective compliance and efficient financial management in the procurement of goods and services for the RVI office in Addis Ababa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial reporting and tracking of project funds (40%)
2. Coordinate with the RVI Finance Team to produce regular financial reports for donors.
3. Working with programme and project teams and the RVI Finance  Team, coordinate programme budget forecasting, tracking and management of  project expenditure and alert programme teams on significant variances.
4. Coordinate with the RVI Finance Management Team to reconcile staff and consultant advances
5. Perform routine communication with the Bank in liaison with the Head of Office.

• Office administration and finance (30%)

• Offer administration and office management support to the Addis Ababa office

• Handle office lease agreements ensuring the timely renewal of the lease

• Ensure that applicable taxes are paid as required by law

• Ensure other relevant services such as internet and other utilities are secured for the smooth running of the office

• Ensure office supplies such as cleaning materials, water, tea and coffee required for staff and visitors are regularly supplied and monitored

• Manage the allocation of office equipment, asset, keys and access codes (as applicable) are managed well.

• Be the focal point for health, and safety regulations and policies and ensure staff are aware and comply to such policies

• Handle office petty cash required for minor payments

• Liaise with the Bank as delegated by the RVI Finance team in matters that require physical documentation including performing monthly bank reconciliation

• Compliance and Procurement (30%)

• Ensure that PRF and other programmes and projects implemented by RVI in Ethiopia are complaint with donor requirements, legal and financial regulations of the Government of Ethiopia, and RVI's internal financial policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain reporting schedules for all projects and coordinate the preparation, review and final submission of all donor and government reports

• Ensure feedback from donors or government institutions on reports are communicated with the Head of Office and other programme teams and regularly monitor and follow-up on actions

• Support the PRF Programme Officer and other programme staff in procurement and contracting of providers of goods and services, ensuring compliance with RVI's policies and procedures, relevant regulations of the Government of Ethiopia and donor requirements.

• Be the point person between the Facility's Tax Advisor and RVI's finance team as required

• Where RVI will be sub-granting other partners, be responsible for the due diligence, granting and overseeing the compliance of the downstream partners in coordination with the relevant programme teams and the RVI finance teams

• Perform other related duties as delegated by the Head of Office

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting qualification such as CPA/ACCA advantageous

Experience

• Experience in programme financial administration including budget management, analysis forecasting and reporting
• Track-record in ensuring compliance in with institutional donors, especially FCDO and the relevant  Ethiopian government institutions such as the ACSO
• Experience of working autonomously and pro-actively
• Experience working with an international NGO or donor

Skills and Abilities

• Good organizational, communication and planning skills
• Ability to interpret financial reports to non-financial audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work well with diverse people
• Ability to multitask, work with minimal supervision and work well in a high workload and fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Ability to identify key issues related to compliance and train programme staff and others including partners and consultants on key RVI or project specific requirements

Special Requirement

• To be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

How to Apply

APPLY HERE