Senior Project Office II – Sub-Grant- Finance Full Time NEW

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Position: Senior Project Office II – Sub-Grant- Finance

Employment: One year with the possibility of extension

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, with frequent travels to regions implementing subgrant projects

Required Number: One

Application Deadline: Oct 23/2025

Background

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce. ATI is currently engaged in promoting agricultural sector transformation by supporting existing structures of government, private sector, and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks and deliver on a priority national agenda or Transformation Agenda Deliverables (TADs) to achieve agriculture sector growth and food security. The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives. In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities. The Institute plays a crucial role in generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is mobilizing resources through co-financing from multiple development partners, including the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for the ACC program II Implementation, RNE, Mastercard foundation, and other donors. These projects are implemented under the leadership of ATI, with the overarching goal of driving agricultural transformation in Ethiopia. The initiatives aim to strengthen existing government structures, the private sector, and non-governmental partners by addressing systemic bottlenecks and delivering on the national priorities outlined in the Transformation Agenda Deliverables (TADs), ultimately contributing to agricultural growth and food security.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented, dedicated, and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great team work to achieve excellent results.

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

HDP projects and ACC II

the Humanitarian Development and Peace (HDP) Project under the Agricultural Commercialization Cluster Phase II program. This project aims to enhance the incomes of target beneficiaries, including internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees, by fostering collaborative relationships with host communities, improving agricultural practices, increasing yields, and facilitating access to better markets. The initiative supports development and promotes self-sufficiency by combining market-driven approaches with a holistic perspective focused on sustainable production and economic empowerment.

Position Summary

The SPO II – Sub-Grant – Finance is responsible to manage & overseeing all aspects of different Project sub-grants process, ensuring compliance with development partners regulations as well as guidelines, organizational policies, and financial requirements. He/she plays a critical part in compliance with the donor regulations and ATI’s internal policies and procedures, mitigating risks through strong systems and controls, capacity building of subgrantees especially in compliance & audits, monitoring their financial and programmatic performance. In addition, he/she will oversee the full grant management cycle of HDP project, from initial setup and budget monitoring to compliance checks, capacity building, and grant close-out. The position holder will work closely with sub-grantees, ensure compliance of sub-grantees in alignment with the execution of each respective agreements, providing guidance, technical support, and training to strengthen their audit, compliance, financial and project management capacities. Additionally, he/she will be conducting regular monitoring, risk assessment and reporting according to Sub Grant Management Financial Monitoring Guideline (FMG) to ensure that all sub-grant activities align with organizational goals and development partners expectations. He/she will work to build strong relationships with the sub-grantees and other stakeholders and ensure transparent communication and timely resolution of any issues to support successful delivery on the project targets. He/she will directly report to the Director for the Sub-Grant. She/he will closely work with program/project team at the head office and the regions, particularly the Regional Finance Officers.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

A senior Sub-grant officer-Finance is responsible to provide a comprehensive approach to different Projects sub-grant management, mitigating risks through strong systems and controls, due diligence, ensuring compliance, effectiveness, and accountability in the allocation and use of grant funds, collaborate closely with Program/project team, to align sub grant activities with program timelines and objectives as per agreed terms in the respective agreements.

Detail Responsibilities:

• Oversee the full cycle of different project sub-grant management process, including grant setup, budget monitoring, and grant close-out.
• Support the program team in achieving the HDP project goal of improving access to quality agricultural inputs and services, enhancing affordability and sustainability through private sector, driven supply and delivery, and establishing farmer production clusters that promote comprehensive technology packages to boost crop production and productivity.
• Assist the project team in increasing beneficiaries’ incomes by improving agricultural practices, raising yields, and facilitating access to better markets.
• Collaborate with the program team and subgrantees to address challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, fostering constructive relationships with host communities.
• Ensure HDP and, ACCII program projects optimal fund utilization in accordance with SGMT operation manual, implementing guideline and grant agreements in alignment with ATI’s Financial Management Policy, development partners-specific guidelines.
• Identify and address HDP and, ACCII program projects financial risks, including fraud, mismanagement, and non-compliance, apply mitigation strategies and provide corrective action for financial mismanagement cases
• Strengthen HDP AND, ACCII program projects financial reporting and audit preparedness to uphold development partner trust maintain transparent relationships by proactively addressing identified gaps.
• Improve HDP AND, ACCII program projects monitoring effectiveness through organized quarterly financial reviews adhering to financial regulation and development partner; MCF, DANIDA, RNE and others compliance.
• Review HDP AND, ACCII program projects financial reports in alignment with supportive documents thus ensure MCF, DANIDA, RNE and others compliance are adhered.
• Initiate HDP AND, ACCII program projects verified financial report for settlement that adhere to agreements and compliance requirements of development partners.
• Conduct HDP AND, ACCII program projects utilization of fund analysis to ensure eligibility for next round disbursement
• Ensure the execution of HDP AND, ACCII program projects subgrant agreements, ensuring alignment with original grant terms and the appropriate flow-down of conditions.
• Advise on HDP AND, ACCII program projects subgrant management and program team, ensuring sub-grants are represented, discussions documented, and HDP AND, ACCII program projects tracking supported.
• Coordinate HDP AND, ACCII program projects external reporting to development partners, ensuring high-quality reports are delivered on time.
• Provide training, technical support, and capacity-building initiatives to HDP AND, ACCII program projects sub-grantees to enhance their grant management and financial skills.
• Maintain HDP AND, ACCII program projects comprehensive documentation of grant agreements, financial transactions, reports, and correspondence.
• Provide a very thorough check on the application of all internal policies and procedures in every aspect of HDP AND, ACCII program projects grant management documents.
• Conduct HDP AND, ACCII program projects regular subgrant financial reviews and reconciliations to ensure accurate grant spending and compliance with approved budgets.
• Monitor HDP AND, ACCII program projects subgrant financial and programmatic reports submitted by subgrantees for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Ensure that HDP AND, ACCII program projects grant files are kept to the standard level (hard and soft copies) in a very systematic order and all the relevant information is accessible from the common folders-ERP system/share points.
• Make periodic and planned field visits and ensure that the HDP AND, ACCII program projects development partners as well as ATI internal policies and procedures are implemented to adequate standard.
• Ensure that the HDP AND, ACCII program projects field visits are completed with a standard visit report on observations and includes recommendations. Perform quarterly review work whether such recommendations are implemented in a consistent manner.
• Implement ATI’s sub-grant policies and development partners (MCF, DANIDA, RNE and others) compliance regulations uniformly across all HDP AND, ACCII program projects activities, in alignment with internal policies, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines.
• Conduct regular reviews of HDP AND, ACCII program projects sub-recipient budgets, cost justifications, related matching funds (if applicable), and compliance considerations, including conflicts of interest and data use policies.
• Support and follow up the HDP AND, ACCII program projects implementation of internal audit recommendations and prepare reports based on findings
• Conduct monitoring and support HDP AND, ACCII program projects site visits and Prepare report of the site visit upload to the profile of each subgrantee
• Ensure that all necessary subgrantee financial records for HDP AND, ACCII program projects are stored securely and are easily accessible for audits or reviews.
• Report and address any HDP AND, ACCII program projects irregularities, potential fraud, or misuse of grant funds promptly.
• Implement corrective action plans of HDP AND, ACCII program projects when issues arise, working closely with the legal and compliance teams to resolve.
• Assist in HDP AND, ACCII program projects sub grant close-outs ensuring that all requirements of the sub grant agreement have been met and that Sub grant funds have been properly settled
• Prepare HDP AND, ACCII program projects subgrant-related reports for senior management and development partners as required.
• Perform any other duties related to the HDP AND, ACCII program projects assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualification, Competencies, Technical Knowledge: , skills and Experience

• MA/MBA degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field from a recognized institution or a professional qualification such as ACCII.
• A minimum of 8 years of direct experience in subgrant management, project and risk management, donor compliance, grant administration, and sub-recipient management, within donor funded projects, development partners, or multilateral institutions.
• At least 2 years in a senior or leadership role involving contractual and compliance oversight.
• Proven experience in subgrant financial management, particularly within donor- funded or international development projects. Experience working with multi-donor programs in International Development and/or Agriculture sector is preferred.
• Strong understanding of donor compliance framework, including those of DANIDA, RNE and other donors
• Solid knowledge of accounting, budget management, database management, and financial systems.
• Familiarity with public procurement procedures, financial reporting standards, project cycle management (PCM), and fiduciary and risk assessments.
• Demonstrated subgrant management skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationship with government, NGOs and private sector stakeholders.
• Proficient in prioritizing high workloads in dynamic fast-paced settings and resolving emerging project needs creatively.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Experience with ERP is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and Amharic, with strong verbal and written communication skills; additional local languages are a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work harmoniously with internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with strong motivation, ownership, and commitment to deliver results.
• Promotes data-driven and evidence-based problem solving and decision making.
• Strong team player with excellent relationship building and communication skills.
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty, and desire to be of service
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to relate to and gain the confidence of the senior leadership.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• I am willing to travel to project intervention areas located in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions to provide technical support.
• Proven leadership ability, with the skills to manage a team and stakeholders and influence others through informal guidance, coaching and feedback.
• Ability to work effectively with regional team and partners and ensure timely data exchange and problem solving between the Federal and Regional levels.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a constantly evolving and challenging environment.