Finance Officer

Job Description

About the Job
Organizational Overview

Nexus Ethiopia is a national non-governmental and non-profit making humanitarian organization established and registered as a National NGO as per the new CSO’s proclamation 1113/19 with the registration number of 6225. Nexus Ethiopia is mandated to operate in all regions and City Administration in Ethiopia.

In partnership with HELVETAS Ethiopia, Nexus Ethiopia is implementing the project entitled “Skills for Employment in Tigray (SET) Project piloting the project in Mekelle and expanding to other towns.

Job Summary

The Finance Officer is responsible for managing all finance and accounting activities of the project at the field level. This role ensures accurate financial record-keeping, compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements, government tax as well as financial management rules. The Finance Officer supports project implementation by overseeing cash management, procurement documentation, field-level financial controls, reporting and payment of government taxes on time. He/she also establishes a strong collaboration and team work with the HELVETAS finance and program team at Mekelle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Management and Accounting

Maintain accurate and complete financial records for field operations, including receipts, payments, cash advances, and project expenditures.
Manage field office cash, including disbursement of salaries, per diems, vendor payments, and activity-related expenditures.
Maintain proper cash handling procedures and internal controls to safeguard organizational resources.
Coordinate banking transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and reconciliations.
Ensure all field expenditures are properly documented, approved, and supported by relevant financial records.
Track project budgets, expenditures, and budget variances and report concerns to the Finance Manager.
2. Financial Inclusion and Partnership Financial Management

Support financial monitoring and accountability of project-supported financial inclusion mechanisms, including seed capital initiatives, loan guarantee schemes, revolving funds, and other youth financing interventions.
Monitor financial transactions related to beneficiaries, SACCOs, MFIs, financial institutions, and implementing partners.
Support reconciliation, verification, and documentation of project-supported financial inclusion activities and fund transfers.
Assist in ensuring compliance with financial procedures governing financial inclusion and economic empowerment interventions.
3. Financial Reporting and Documentation

Prepare and submit timely financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and project-specific reports to the Finance Manager and relevant project stakeholders.
Ensure proper filing, archiving, and maintenance of financial documents, vouchers, contracts, and supporting records in both hard-copy and electronic formats.
Facilitate timely submission of financial documentation required by donors, partners, auditors, and project management.
Support preparation of financial information for management reviews and decision-making.
4. Procurement and Operational Finance Support

Support procurement processes by reviewing financial documentation and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements.
Verify procurement-related payments, contracts, quotations, and supporting documentation before processing.
Support financial management of trainings, workshops, job fairs, stakeholder consultations, assessments, and other project events.
Manage high-volume field transactions and ensure timely liquidation of activity advances and project expenditures.
Support vehicle fuel management, review vehicle log sheets, and assist with branch administrative activities as assigned.
5. Multi-Partner Financial Coordination

Coordinate closely with HELVETAS finance staff, project teams, government institutions, financial service providers, and implementing partners.
Support verification of shared expenditures, joint activities, and partner-related financial transactions.
Ensure financial reporting and documentation requirements are met for project partners and stakeholders.
Provide financial guidance and support to Project Officers and other project staff during implementation.
6. Compliance, Audit and Risk Management

Ensure field financial operations comply with donor regulations, Ethiopian laws, partnership agreements, and organizational policies.

Support internal and external audits by maintaining accurate records and providing required documentation.
Identify, assess, and monitor financial risks related to cash handling, inflation, market fluctuations, partnership arrangements, and operational challenges.
Recommend mitigation measures and support implementation of enhanced financial controls.
Support business continuity and contingency measures related to financial operations in fragile and post-conflict environments.
Ensure timely payment of taxes, statutory obligations, and other regulatory requirements.
7. Budget Planning and Financial Support

Assist in budget planning, monitoring, forecasting, and financial analysis for project activities.
Support project teams in budget utilization, activity costing, and financial planning.
Provide technical support and guidance to staff on finance-related policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.