About the Job
\nProject\u00a0Finance Manager
\nSector: Trade, Economic Growth & Investment
\nPosition Type (full\/part time): Full time
\nDuration\/Level of Effort (long\/short term): 18 days per month, max 220\/year pro-rated
\nPosition Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Addis Ababa, Ethiopia<\/p>\n
BACKGROUND
\nCowater International is a global international development consultancy firm that works with partners to deliver technical assistance to governments and the private sector in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. In New Zealand, the core technical areas include climate change mitigation and adaptation, renewable energy, the blue economy, water and sanitation, disaster resilience and agriculture, with a focus on the Pacific, South Asia and the Caribbean. Cowater works with a diversified set of development donors, including the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union (EU) and others. Cowater further counts on a dynamic and diverse team of professionals committed to designing and implementing projects that deliver lasting results for the clients and countries with whom it works.<\/p>\n
Cowater currently has two ongoing projects in Ethiopia, funded by the FCDO: the Tax Transformation Programme (TTP) and the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility 2 (EIAF2) and we are seeking to recruit a highly experienced Finance Officer to undertake robust financial management processes at the project level to support delivery.<\/p>\n
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
\nThe selected candidate should develop an excellent understanding of FCDO and\/or other donor financial processes and combine this with their own knowledge and experience to review and improve financial management systems in place across the programme.<\/p>\n
They will work very closely with the Cowater Finance Manager, and Programme Managers to ensure the financial management practices are in line with Cowater’s and FCDO guidelines.<\/p>\n
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
\nThe\u00a0Project\u00a0Finance Manager\u00a0will support the Cowater Finance Manager in addressing all finance matters on TTP and EIAF 2. The selected candidate’s roles and responsibilities may include:
\nBudgeting, forecasting and invoicing<\/p>\n
Supporting the Cowater Finance Manager in the preparation of monthly project and corporate cashflow forecasts
\nAssisting the Cowater Finance Manager in project budgetary monitoring and control to ensure expenditures are within the allowed variance thresholds
\nSupporting the Cowater Finance Manager in managing expenditures and developing budget control mechanisms which will enable the Project to adequately monitor performance to budget by result for the projects
\nSupporting the Finance Manager in the preparation of monthly invoices to the Client and updating the forecasts for the Client
\nBank and Petty Cash Management<\/p>\n
Maintaining a bank record of transactions
\nRegular monitoring of the project bank account by preparing the bank movement schedule and reconciliation
\nPreparing monthly\/periodic bank reconciliation statements
\nMaintaining custody of office petty cash and subsequent monthly reconciliations
\nPayables accounting – suppliers and consultants<\/p>\n
Managing liaison with suppliers to ensure timely invoicing and payment matters
\nReceiving and verifying invoices and payment requests from suppliers and contractors and facilitating timely processing and approval of the same
\nPreparing payment requisitions for the approved invoices
\nProcurement and supply chain management<\/p>\n
With oversight from the Programme Managers and Cowater Finance Manager, managing all necessary procurement, management, logistics and support services for the projects, ensuring compliance with Cowater and Client procurement rules
\nAssisting the programme team in the field in sourcing for quotations for office and programme supplies from field and regional vendors
\nReviewing procurement quotes and preparing competitive selection\/analyses
\nPreparing purchase requisition forms and obtaining relevant approvals
\nKeeping custody of document trail\/chain across the entire procurement chain
\nFinancial reporting<\/p>\n
Supporting the Cowater Finance Manager in the preparation of Monthly\/Quarterly financial reports (Programme or Corporate) to the HQ and to fulfill contract obligations as prescribed by FCDO\/Client
\nSupporting the Cowater Finance Manager in preparation of Annual Corporate Financial reports; and Programme Financial reports for audit purposes
\nUnder the guidance of the Cowater Finance Manager, identifying, monitoring and reporting on\/escalating any fiduciary risks relevant to the Project, and recommending mitigating actions that will protect the reputation of the Project and Cowater
\nPayroll Accounting<\/p>\n
Overseeing\/quality assuring the preparation of monthly payroll calculations, changes, deductions, and withholdings for local staff, as prepared in the field
\nManaging liaison with consultants on timesheets and expenses invoicing; receiving and verifying consultant timesheets\/invoices and expense claims
\nProvide support to the HR\/Ops Manager in addressing payroll inquiries from employees in a timely manner
\nGeneral administrative, financial and compliance roles<\/p>\n
Ensuring appropriate filing and maintenance of all electronic and hard copies of financial documents such as contracts and financial reports. The electronic copies should be uploaded to SharePoint.
\nMaintaining the books of accounts by posting financial data to appropriate accounts according to instructions in an automated accounting system, including updating or retrieving the data when necessary
\nUnder the guidance of the Cowater Finance Manager, ensure that project financial accounting procedures, norms and systems as required by Cowater and FCDO are followed and applied (e.g. Financial and Administrative Field Manuals)
\nSupporting operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees as directed by the Programme Managers\/Directors, and monitoring and following-up to ensure achievement of desired work results
\nProviding support during programme and\/or corporate internal and external audits
\nManaging and coordinating the contracts for long-term hire of project vehicles; and
\nWorking as a competent member of the team, willingly providing back-up support for the team when appropriate and actively supporting group goals
\nKey competencies and experience:<\/p>\n
Reporting lines
\nThe Project Finance Manager will report to the Programme Managers.<\/p>\n
Performance Management
\nPerformance objectives will be identified jointly by the Cowater Finance Manager, in consultation with the Programme Managers.<\/p>\n
The Finance Manager will participate in an annual performance management review to be conducted by the Programme Managers. The objective of the performance review will be to formally measure progress against the TORs and the identified performance objectives, as well as assess the demonstration of a team ethic and effective communication with project counterparts.<\/p>\n
Duty Station
\nThe primary duty station of work will be Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<\/p>\n
Duration and LoE
\nThe duration of this role is initially until 31st March 2027 with potential for this role to be extended to December 2028 dependent on programmatic outcomes.<\/p>\n
The Level of Effort for the consultant during this period will be a maximum of 180 days and no more than 18 days per month.<\/p>\n
Language
\nFluent in both spoken and written English with excellent communication skills.<\/p>\n
ABOUT US
\nFounded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.<\/p>\n
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.<\/p>\n
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\nAbout You
\nThe\u00a0Project\u00a0Finance Manager\u00a0should (have):<\/p>\n
At least 5 years experience coordinating financial management and field operations management of mid- to- large multi-component projects in a developing country context;
\nFormal academic and\/or professional qualifications in accounting and\/or financial management;
\nHighly proficient in using standard accounting and bookkeeping software (i.e., QuickBooks) and Excel;
\nExperience working in the areas of procurement, human resources, and office management;
\nProficient in designing and maintaining digital and paper (hardcopy) financial filing systems;
\nAbility to communicate in a diplomatic but clear and concise manner with project staff, and, if required, with project partners;
\nAbility to find solutions to complex problems and foresee and prevent problems by proactively taking action and ability to escalate issues appropriately;
\nAbility to deal with challenging and sometimes stressful situations, while maintaining a professional and solutions-oriented attitude;
\nDemonstrate an awareness of fundamental office management principles;
\nStrong reading, writing, and oral communication skills in English; and
\nExperience working with FCDO is a plus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":207,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","job_listing_type":[17],"job_listing_category":[210],"job_listing_location":[4],"job_listing_tag":[],"class_list":["post-36508","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-publish","hentry","job_listing_type-full-time","job_listing_category-project-management-and-administration","job_listing_location-addis-ababa"],"metas":{"_job_logo":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-content\/uploads\/wp-job-board-pro-uploads\/_job_logo\/2026\/06\/images-43.webp","custom-text-26140818":"Co Water Sogema Int.Inc","_job_featured":"","_job_tag":[],"_job_filled":"","_job_urgent":"","_job_type":{"17":"Full Time"},"custom-select-24762152":"Onsite","_job_category":{"210":"Project Management And Administration"},"_job_expiry_date":"","_job_gender":"Both","_job_salary_type":"monthly","custom-number-21785310":"","_job_experience":"Senior","custom-select-25910079":"5 \u2013 10 Years","_job_qualification":"Bachelor Degree","_job_application_deadline_date":"2026-06-10","_job_location":{"4":"Addis Ababa"},"_job_apply_type":"with_email","_job_apply_url":"","_job_apply_email":"emily.workman@cowater.com","_job_phone":"","_job_employer_name":"Beleqet Jobs","_job_employer_url":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/employer\/meseret\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing\/36508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/207"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_type?post=36508"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_category?post=36508"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_location?post=36508"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beleqet.com\/vacancy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_tag?post=36508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}