Finance Manager at Habitat for Humanity

Position: Finance Manager

Organizational Overview

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves.

Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia (HFHE) started operation in 1993 as a branch of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). HFHE has provided simple, affordable shelter for families in Ethiopia while also working to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and empower Vulnerable Groups in the country.

PURPOSE

As an integral part of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the role of the Finance Manager (FM) is to provide leadership and guidance to the Financial Management and Accounting unit of the organization, ensuring that all financial resources that come into the organization are recorded, tracked, and accounted for and used in fulfillment of the core mission of the organization. The FM is also the custodian of financial management policies and procedures that ensure effective and efficient use of organizational assets.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

1. Manage the Accounting Function:
   • Manage daily operations and monitor the organization’s financial transactions to ensure that these are recorded in line with fund accounting policies, on an accurate and timely basis and financial reports are provided to all stakeholders by the set deadlines.
   • Maintain the Accounting System to ensure accurate revaluation, reporting and compliance.
   • Conduct the month-end and quarterly-end closure process, including all relevant reconciliations.
   • Ensure statement of best practice in accounting systems and processes
   • Ensure that all financial operations are carried out in accordance with HFHI policies and required local standards.
   • Ensure travel and business advance and accountability process is carried out in compliance with organization policies and procedures and in compliance with local regulations.
2. Annual Planning and Budgeting:
   • Coordinate and work with the management team to develop and finalize the annual plan and budget.
   • Ensure that all required information is submitted to the area office within deadlines and that questions, feedback, etc. are responded to in a timely manner.
   • When finalized ensure that the annual plan and budget is accurately incorporated into the annual MOU between national organization and the area office.
   • Coordinate the AO supervisory committee AO approval process of both the annual plan/budget as well as the MOU.
   • Ensure that the Annual Budget is posted into the Accounting System
3. Financial Reporting and Cash-flow Management:
   • Prepare the quarterly financial reports in line with HFHI Financial Indicators policy and submit to the area office in line with the submission deadlines.
   • Ensure that the organization is well resourced by monitoring cash flow forecast and submitting timely International Transfer requests to the area office as needed and appropriate, oversight over banking and cash management.
   • On monthly basis, produce relevant, accurate and timely reports for budget holders, department heads and project owners.
   • Produce relevant, accurate and timely reports for the AO supervisory committee.
   • Analyze financial data monthly; track key indicators and timelines.Provide written or verbal analysis to stakeholders such as management staff, AO supervisory committee, the area office and HFHI, as required.
   • Ensure all required statutory reports are filed with respective authorities (corporate income tax, charity commission, annual report, etc.)
4. Grant Management Compliance and Donor Reporting
   • Prepare budgets for all concept papers and fundraising proposals in cooperation with the Resource Development (RD) and Program Departments (PD).
   • Analyze, verify and review proposal budgets to ensure donor compliance and reasonableness.
   • Coordinate proposal review process and ensure compliance with solicitations and donor regulations.
   • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of donor rules and regulations and ensure compliance.
   • Track expenditure of all grants and projects and oversee the preparation of a timely financial reports by Grants Officer for RD and PD, as well as for donors, in agreed donor format.
   • Reviews all financial reports prepared by Grants Officer to ensure that they are accurate and timely before submission.
   • Ensure that all grant documentation is maintained according to donor and HFHI standards and regulations.
   • Review all payment requests to ensure that they meet the standards of allowable, allocable and reasonable; manage grantee budgets so that they do not exceed allowable amounts.
   • Conduct Financial Due-Diligence for potential Sub-Grantees/ Partners.
   • Ensure Proper Capacity Building to selected Sub-Grantees supporting them in creating and implementing proper financial systems.
   • Ensure all grant budgets are coded with correct Donor Budget Lines and uploaded in SUN.
   • Working together Programs team, takes lead in donor budget revisions.
5. Internal Control Environment:
   • Promote a shared culture and ownership of maintaining strong internal controls throughout the organization.
   • Directly manage the development, documentation, implementation, and monitoring of internal control processes that are in line with existing HFHI and organizational finance policies and minimize loss of organization’s assets.
   • Implement financial and administrative policies and systems to ensure organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
   • Maintain and regularly update the asset register. Ensure that the assets of the organization are maintained safely and securely.
   • Ensure that the organization at all times remains compliant to all relevant laws and regulations by constantly monitoring the legal and regulatory environment and ensuring adherence to the same.
   • Ensure all financial records and documents are maintained and safeguarded in accordance with the organization policies and procedures and local regulations.
6. AO Supervisory Committee Relationship Management:
   • Provide on-going advice on financial issues to the AO supervisory committee including accounting, reporting, cash-flow, systems, policies and procedures, internal controls and updates on statutory/regulatory related issues etc.
   • Identify AO supervisory committee financial efficiency and address the financial training needs by conducting such training or finding alternative resources for such trainings.
   • Ensure that preparation for AO supervisory committee meetings is done well in advance and the AO supervisory committee receives materials well in advance of the meeting; provide relevant data to support the business decisions and share business challenges and successes; record and document the minutes of the meetings.
   • Proactively engage in discussions with the AO supervisory committee to sustain management proposals; propose decisions in line with strategy and risk appetite of the AO.
7. Payroll Administration System and Procedures
   • Review the accuracy and completeness of payroll data.
   • Ensure that statutory deductions are remitted to government in a timely and consistent manner, including proper reconciliation of payroll related ledger accounts.
   • Ensure all required payroll reports (personal income tax, benefits and insurance) are filed with respective authorities.
8. Organizational Risk and Governance
   • Effectively lead the risk management function
   • Manage the operating environment to minimize risk for the potential loss of organizational resources.
   • Advise the AO supervisory committee and management on corrective measures needed and success of previous actions taken.
   • Support all internal and external audits ensuring the timely implementation of all audit recommendations.
9. Procurement
   • Have managerial oversight over the procurement process in ensuring that all procurements for the organization meet the standard of prudence, cost, accountability and fairness.
   • Advise management on procurement processes of required assets through a transparent and accepted procurement system.
   • Ensure adherence to organizational procurement policy.
   • Ensure there is proper documentation maintained during procurement processes.
10. Organization-wide Strategic Leadership and Insights
    • Manage finance administration staff and their performance.
    • Facilitate and promote interdepartmental collaboration as it relates to finance matters.
    • Assist the National Director and senior management team on corporate governance, strategy and regulatory compliance issues.
    • Assist National Director and senior management team on the strategic direction of the organization.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Excellent knowledge of finance related legislation such as the VAT Act, Income Tax Act, IFRS, etc.
• Demonstrate a proficient level of professional skill and/ or knowledge in accounting and financial management.
• Knowledge and ability to use applicable information technology and accounting systems to meet work requirements.
• Adopt professional business-like approach internally and externally.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to determine work priorities and adhere to deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills. Detail oriented and ability to work and interpret numbers, figures, and other financial information.
• Strong Communication skills – both oral and written.
• Ability to work with other cultures. Patience and perseverance in understanding and explaining issues with field staff.
• Ability to address issues and effect change through persuasion and diplomacy.
• Flexibility and independence to work in a changing and unstructured environment. Ability to work interdependently within a team.
• Creativity and innovativeness.

REQUIRED ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or accounting and finance is required, with an MA in Accounting & Finance or MBA preferred.
• Preferred: Professional certification and active membership for example CA, CPA, ACCA, CMA
• At least 10 years’ experience in accounting or financial management, in business or non-profit organization out of which at least 5 years should be at a senior management level such as Finance Manager/Director level with responsibilities for managing the finance function of the organization.
• Experience in using SunSystems or equivalent. Experience in installation and training on computerized accounting systems is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office Applications, specifically Excel and Word.
• Preferred: experience managing large institutional grants from development partners like USAID, DFID, EU, KOICA etc. and/or performing grant audits like A133 audits
• Excellent knowledge of finance related legislation and standards such as the VAT Act, Income Tax Act, IFRS, GAAP etc.
• Experience in training both finance and non-finance staff on financial management.

How to apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit their non–returnable application letter ,and cv by quoting the position” FINANCE MANAGER HFHE “ in the subject line with contact details of three work related referees, (including HR and immediate supervisor) through hfheapplication@habitatethiopia.org. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The ideal candidates are expected to be active supporters of HFHI’s Core Values:

• • Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves. – Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. – Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.

Safeguarding: HFHE requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Vacancy Closing date: – May 5,2023

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

 

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