About the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

We are a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition, living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world. LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Ethiopia

LWF World Service Ethiopia is a registered foreign charity, which has been operating in Ethiopia since 1973 implementing various development and humanitarian projects in different parts of Ethiopia. LWF World Service Ethiopia works closely with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), the Ethiopian Government, UN organizations and other funding partners. Its thematic areas include the promotion of food security and sustainable livelihood, sustainable natural resources management, emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and capacity building.

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centred and community-based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and in order to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

LWF Safeguarding Commitment

LWF World Service is committed to creating and maintaining a safe organization where people we come in contact with are protected from harm and abuse. Harm and abuse may include but are not limited to physical, psychological, and sexual violence and abuse, financial and material abuse, all forms of modern slavery, and all forms of maltreatment and exploitation.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Finance Manager (DFM) is responsible for ensuring effective, efficient and professional operations of the Finance Department and ensures that the highest standards of financial management are achieved as per LWF Ethiopia and Donors’ rules and regulations and compliance are met. The Deputy Finance Manager will work in consultation with the Finance Manager to control and manage the financial operation of LWF Ethiopia at HO and field levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Finance Operations

• Provide support and advice to the relevant field accountants for any shortcomings detected in the review of the documentation provided and advice the Finance Manager of any serious or continual shortcomings
• Advice the Finance Manager on Finance issues, trends, and changes in the financial operating performance and operational delivery; proactively communicating issues that are anticipated before they arise.
• Review all Purchase Requisitions are completed correctly and that budgeted funds are available
• In collaboration with the Finance Manager, contact with local banks as required Prepare all journal vouchers in relation to adjustments, corrections, Geneva transactions and allocation of head office costs for approval by the finance manager
• Ensure that there is correct documentation and authorization for all payments and check their appropriateness.
• Review the head office bank and cash books and prepare all the required bank reconciliations.
• Review to ensure the accuracy of the head office cash books including bank reconciliation and cash sheets.
• Monitor and share the effects of exchange rate movements on income and expenditure
• Review cash requests from field offices to ensure they relate to existing budgets and work plans.
• Ensure that sufficient funds are available for the transfers to the field offices before their approval.
• In collaboration with the accountant, review the monthly financial data (including cash sheets and bank reconciliation) submitted by the field offices to ensure that they meet the standard required by LWF and donors.
• Provide support and advice to the relevant field accountants for any shortcomings detected in the review of the documentation provided and advise the Finance Manager of any serious or continual shortcomings.
• Participate in the preparation of project documents, budgets and quarterly monitoring reports and reports to donors.
• In collaboration with the Finance Manager review all budgets to ensure their accuracy and appropriateness with particular attention to the recovery of head office costs
• Prepare the required schedules from submitted timesheets to enable the journal voucher for the core cost allocations to be made to the various projects.
• Process all monthly financial data promptly to enable financial report preparation to enable LWF Geneva and donor deadlines to be met.
• Prepare draft financial reports for both Geneva and donors before their deadlines for review by the finance manager.
• Undertake the necessary follow-up on receivables and payables monthly to ensure that these are settled in a timely manner.
• Monitor project financial statements and alert the finance manager of significant variances.
• Participate in the monthly review of financial reports where items of importance and relevance will be shared by the Finance Manager.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on the financial activity of projects and services across all cost centers with an ability to provide information in a timely manner.
• Supports Program departments by participating in project proposal development and budget preparation.
• Prepares donor reports in a timely fashion, meets established international accounting standards, is in compliance with multiple Donor regulations and forwards to the Finance Manager for review.
• Coordinates monthly financial report preparation between fields and HO.
• Review the payroll to ensure that the proposed payment is accurate in all respects.
• Maintaining compliance with internal financial and accounting policies, administrative procedures and local statutory requirements.
• Ensure employee income taxes & pensions are deducted from staff as per the Government tax & pension proclamation and paid timely.
• Ensure that electronic storage of all financial information is carried out systematically as set out in the LWF finance manual.
• Ensures transactions are properly recorded and entered into Sage System on a timely basis as per the Finance policy of the organization.
• Ensure all the necessary information is available before the commencement of the annual audit.
• Assist the auditors during the completion of the external audit.

Team management

• Be responsible for and/or supervise recruitment and training of the finance department staff with consultation of the Finance Manager
• Support and provide advice to the finance team and to other departments
• Conduct regular performance appraisals of direct reports
• Train and build capacities of staffs in the department

Other

• Continually be aware of the internal controls, accounting and reporting systems in relation to the duties and responsibilities, and draw the attention of the finance manager to any perceived shortcomings and recommend changes
• Follow all procedures set out in the LWF-ET Staff Rules, Collective Agreement and other operational manuals
• Become familiar with and ensure compliance with LWF regulations – Procurement Policies, Finance Manual, ACCPAC Manual and staff rules in so far as they relate to the duties of the position.
• Become familiar with and ensure compliance with LWF Ethiopia’s staff rules and collective agreement insofar as they relate to the duties of the position
• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Finance Manager

Job Requirements- Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree with a relevant field of study in Accounting and Finance
• Relevant 7 years for a Bachelor’s degree or 5 years for a Master’s Degree holder with relevant experience
• Experience with International NGO grant management systems and financial regulations
• Proven experience in working with financial management of projects funded by humanitarian donors
• Knowledge of Grants Administration especially system management and donor compliance in reporting diverse institutional donors
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Solid knowledge of computer software and modern accounting systems
• Understanding of the relevant laws and statutory requirements.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal