Project Accountant Full Time NEW

Job Summary 

The Project Accountant will be responsible for ensuring effective financial management, accounting, compliance, and reporting support for ECC-ECHO Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) activities implemented through the ERCS Kellam Wollega Branch.

The position ensures that all financial transactions, cash transfer-related documents, project expenditures, reconciliations, and supporting documents are accurately recorded, verified, classified, and reported in line with ERCS financial procedures, ECHO donor requirements, DRC compliance standards, and humanitarian accountability principles.

The Project Accountant will work closely with the Branch Management, ECC-ECHO Project Team, Finance Department, Financial Service Providers (FSPs), and Regional/HQ finance teams to ensure timely processing of payments, reconciliation of cash assistance transactions, proper documentation, and smooth project implementation.

Key Responsibilities 

Financial Management and Accounting

• Ensure proper classification, coding, recording, and filing of all ECC-ECHO project financial transactions according to ERCS accounting procedures and approved budget lines.
• Record financial transactions into the approved accounting system accurately and timely.
• Review supporting documents including payment requests, invoices, receipts, beneficiary payment records, and contracts before processing.
• Verify availability of budget and ensure expenditures are aligned with approved ECC-ECHO project budgets.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for project income, expenditure, advances, and settlements.
• Prepare financial documents required for internal and external reviews.

CVA Financial Management and Cash Transfer Support

• Provide financial support for ECC-ECHO Cash and Voucher Assistance implementation activities, including, Beneficiary payment preparation, Cash transfer documentation, Payment verification, Financial reconciliation and Settlement of cash transfer transactions
• Work closely with project teams to ensure cash assistance payments are processed accurately and according to approved procedures.
• Coordinate with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), banks, and relevant stakeholders to address payment-related issues.
• Follow up on rejected, delayed, or unsuccessful beneficiary payments and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Support beneficiary payment reconciliation and maintain proper audit trails.

Reconciliation and Financial Reporting

• Reconcile project accounts with bank statements and supporting documents on a regular basis.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements and adjustment entries.
• Review and reconcile ECC-ECHO project accounts with Regional/HQ Finance Offices.
• Prepare trial balances, financial worksheets, expenditure reports, and other financial statements as required.
• Compile project expenditure data and support preparation of donor financial reports.
• Provide timely financial information to support project decision-making.

Budget Monitoring and Compliance

• Monitor ECC-ECHO project budget utilization and provide regular expenditure updates.
• Support program teams in reviewing budget versus actual expenditures.
• Identify budget variances and communicate financial risks to management.
• Ensure compliance with ERCS financial policies and procedures, ECHO financial requirements, DRC consortium compliance standards and Donor documentation requirements
• Support audit preparation and ensure availability of financial records.

1. Documentation and Record Management

• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and proper filing of all financial documents.
• Maintain organized electronic and hard-copy financial archives.
• Scan and maintain project financial documentation to facilitate monthly invoice settlement and reporting.
• Ensure confidentiality and safe handling of financial information.
• Conduct regular backup of financial data and records.

Coordination and Support

• Work closely with Branch Project Coordinator, ECC-ECHO Cash Team, Senior Accountant, Regional Finance Team and Banks and FSPs
• Provide financial guidance and technical support to project staff and volunteers.
• Participate in project review meetings and financial coordination discussions.
• Support capacity-building activities on financial procedures, documentation, and compliance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely and accurate processing of ECC-ECHO project financial transactions.
• Complete and accurate monthly invoice documentation and settlement.
• Timely bank and project account reconciliation.
• Quality and completeness of financial documentation.
• Compliance with ERCS, ECHO, and DRC financial requirements.
• Effective coordination and responsiveness with project stakeholders.
• Timely submission of financial reports and expenditure updates.
• Proper maintenance of project financial records and archives.

Qualifications and Experience 

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Business Administration, or related fields.

Experience 

• 4 years relevant experience for Bachelor’s degree holders
• 2 years relevant experience for Master’s degree holders
• Experience in humanitarian project finance management is preferred.
• Previous experience with ECHO-funded projects, cash assistance programming, or NGO financial management is an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies 

• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial management procedures.
• Experience with accounting software and financial reporting systems.
• Ability to prepare financial statements and analyze expenditure data.
• Strong skills in reconciliation and financial documentation management.
• Understanding of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) financial processes is an advantage.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and field environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the project operational areas.
• Commitment to ERCS Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of local languages (Afan Oromo) is desirable