Finance Manager

DescriptionOverview Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world. SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya. Project Description The purpose of the USAID/Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity (ETA) is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system. ETA will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals ETA must collaborate intensively with other USAID funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector. Position Description RTI is seeking a Finance Manager for the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity. The Finance Manager will be responsible for supporting the Finance Director to ensure appropriate systems are in place for timely and cost-effective disbursement, accounting, budgeting, and reporting of project funds in compliance with local and USAID regulations. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will report to the Finance Director. Responsibilities Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: • Manage advances and payable aging within the allowable time frame thru prudent budgeting and closely monitoring of activities of requestors. • Manage compliance issues and ensure that all financial transactions are in conformity with the RTI and USAID Policies and Procedures. • Ensure timely submission of expense reports, bank reconciliations and wire transfer requests to RTI corporate headquarters. • Reconcile petty cash fund on a monthly basis. • Prepare quarterly accruals for in-country project expenses. • Implement and monitor cost effective and efficient systems and procedures. • Provide functional support for RTI’s finance, accounting and grants activities. • Ensure that all financial vouchers are complete, accurate, and compliant with local Ethiopian government regulations, USAID guidelines, and RTI policies. • Review all supporting documentation for expenses, invoices, and payments to verify accuracy and compliance. • Review all financial transactions and ensure they are accurately entered into QuickBooks. • Ensure that transactions are entered timely and in accordance with accounting standards and organizational policies. • Prepare monthly payroll for all RTI ETA employees. Ensure that salary income tax, 2% withholding tax, and pension contributions are correctly calculated and deducted. • Ensure and review timely payment and reporting of taxes and contributions to the respective government authorities. • Track and reconcile VAT refunds, ensuring that they are up to date and properly documented. Ensure that VAT refund applications are processed on a monthly basis. • Assist in month-end financial reconciliation, ensuring that all financial records are accurate and complete. • Conduct training sessions for the wider team to improve their understanding of financial processes, policies, and procedures. • Compile accurate financial data from all departments to prepare the monthly cash request. Ensure that cash flow requirements are accurately assessed and aligned with organizational needs. • Ensure inventory is regularly updated and maintained in compliance with project requirements. • Assist in the preparation for year-end closing, including the preparation of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) reports. • Ensure that all year-end processes are completed accurately and in accordance with accounting standards. • During audits, assist in the communication with auditors and provide all necessary documentation and information required for the audit process. Ensure smooth coordination and prompt response to auditors’ requests. • The Finance Manager will supervise the Finance officers and Finance assistances. Qualifications • Master’s degree in business, accounting, or related field and 6 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience supporting finance activities on a USAID-funded project and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations is strongly preferred. • Proven ability to manage financial operations, lead teams, and ensure compliance with financial regulations and policies. • Knowledge of institutional accounting and budgeting practices, preferably those used by USAID. • Experience in payroll processing and knowledge of applicable rules of the local labor code. • Experience working with QuickBooks is preferred. • Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Verbal and written fluency in English required. • Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times

ResponsibilitiesYour primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: • Manage advances and payable aging within the allowable time frame thru prudent budgeting and closely monitoring of activities of requestors. • Manage compliance issues and ensure that all financial transactions are in conformity with the RTI and USAID Policies and Procedures. • Ensure timely submission of expense reports, bank reconciliations and wire transfer requests to RTI corporate headquarters. • Reconcile petty cash fund on a monthly basis. • Prepare quarterly accruals for in-country project expenses. • Implement and monitor cost effective and efficient systems and procedures. • Provide functional support for RTI’s finance, accounting and grants activities. • Ensure that all financial vouchers are complete, accurate, and compliant with local Ethiopian government regulations, USAID guidelines, and RTI policies. • Review all supporting documentation for expenses, invoices, and payments to verify accuracy and compliance. • Review all financial transactions and ensure they are accurately entered into QuickBooks. • Ensure that transactions are entered timely and in accordance with accounting standards and organizational policies. • Prepare monthly payroll for all RTI ETA employees. Ensure that salary income tax, 2% withholding tax, and pension contributions are correctly calculated and deducted. • Ensure and review timely payment and reporting of taxes and contributions to the respective government authorities. • Track and reconcile VAT refunds, ensuring that they are up to date and properly documented. Ensure that VAT refund applications are processed on a monthly basis. • Assist in month-end financial reconciliation, ensuring that all financial records are accurate and complete. • Conduct training sessions for the wider team to improve their understanding of financial processes, policies, and procedures. • Compile accurate financial data from all departments to prepare the monthly cash request. Ensure that cash flow requirements are accurately assessed and aligned with organizational needs. • Ensure inventory is regularly updated and maintained in compliance with project requirements. • Assist in the preparation for year-end closing, including the preparation of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) reports. • Ensure that all year-end processes are completed accurately and in accordance with accounting standards. • During audits, assist in the communication with auditors and provide all necessary documentation and information required for the audit process. Ensure smooth coordination and prompt response to auditors’ requests. • The Finance Manager will supervise the Finance officers and Finance assistances

QualificationMaster’s degree in business, accounting, or related field and 6 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience supporting finance activities on a USAID-funded project and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations is strongly preferred. • Proven ability to manage financial operations, lead teams, and ensure compliance with financial regulations and policies. • Knowledge of institutional accounting and budgeting practices, preferably those used by USAID. • Experience in payroll processing and knowledge of applicable rules of the local labor code. • Experience working with QuickBooks is preferred. • Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Verbal and written fluency in English required. • Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times