Finance and Administrative Officer

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting.

Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing. When incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

The Finance & Admin Officer is responsible for overseeing all financial management, accounting controls, and general office administration for the field project. This position maintains strict accounting practices and internal controls to ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance with donor standards, and proper administrative oversight.

To maintain proper Segregation of Duties within a small project office environment, the Finance & Admin Officer serves as the primary verifier and reviewer for financial and administrative requests, while physical handling of cash, inventory custody, and initial log maintenance are assigned to the Administrative Assistant.

• Review & Verification: Check and verify all payment requests, purchase orders, invoices, and expense claims for accuracy, proper authorization, and budget availability before processing or payment initiation.
• Accounting & Data Entry Review: Review voucher coding, verify supporting documentation, and oversee accurate posting in the financial system. Ensure timely submission of financial returns to the main office.
• Bank & Financial Reconciliations: Perform monthly bank reconciliations, monitor cash flow, and ensure all advance accounts (staff/petty cash) are reconciled and cleared systematically.
• Compliance & Audit: Ensure strict adherence to TechnoServe policies, Ethiopian tax and labor laws, and donor financial regulations. Prepare for and support internal/external audits.
• Budget Oversight: Monitor project spending against approved budgets and alert the Program Manager to any variances or compliance risks.
• Syllogist / Microsoft Dynamics Workflows: Review purchase requisitions, orders, fund/award codes in the system, and specific fortnightly financial return deadlines.

• Direct Supervision: Supervise the Administrative Assistant, drivers, and support staff. Delegate duties, conduct performance reviews, and ensure tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Segregation of Duty Enforcement: Maintain oversight over physical inventory, store custody, and petty cash operations managed by the Administrative Assistant. Perform random cash counts and periodic physical asset audits.
• Procurement Approval & Quality Control: Review procurement paperwork and verify that delivered goods and services match the requested quality and quantity prior to final payment authorization.
• Fleet & Logistics Monitoring: Review vehicle logbooks, fuel efficiency analysis, and logistics reports prepared by the Administrative Assistant or logistics staff.
• Timekeeping & Payroll Support: Oversee and approve monthly staff timesheet collections for field personnel and submit them to the country office.

• Assist the Accounts Manager and Senior Financial Controller and engage with auditors on project audits and tax hygiene audits.
• Assist the country office admin team with any finance-administrative cross-cutting matters.
• Undertake other related work as directed by the Controller or the Accounts Manager.
• Contact individuals or entities with delinquent accounts for clearance.
• Orient, train, motivate, and coach employees reporting to this position.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years (or Master’s degree with 2 years) of progressive experience in financial management and accounting, preferably within an INGO environment.
• Technical Knowledge: Sound knowledge of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards), Ethiopian tax/labor laws, and accounting software (Microsoft Dynamics - Syllogist). Excellent skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Supervisory Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor support staff.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and relevant local languages (Afaan Oromo and Amharic).