Position Title: Finance Officer – YAG PLUS Project

Number of Position: 1 (one)

Organization: alignAfrica

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (with travel as required)

Reports To: Finance & Admin Director

Technical Reporting: Project Manager 

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-site

Contract Duration: Fixed-Term (one year, renewable based on performance and project funding)

About alignAfrica

alignAfrica is a national non-profit organization established in 2009 and registered under Proclamation No. 1113/2019 with the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations. The organization works to address critical development challenges in health, education, economic empowerment, protection, governance, and climate resilience, while also contributing to emergency response and policy advocacy. Through innovative, community-centered approaches, capacity building, and partnership-driven interventions, alignAfrica supports individuals and communities to overcome structural barriers and achieve sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.

Vision

A thriving Africa where all communities live with dignity, resilience, and equal opportunity, empowered to shape their own sustainable futures.

Mission

To empower communities especially youth, women, and vulnerable groups by advancing inclusive, locally driven solutions in health, education, livelihoods, climate resilience, governance, and youth development. We build capacity, foster innovation, and strengthen systems for lasting impact and sustainable change.

About the YAG PLUS Project

The Youth Advisory Groups’ Participation, Leadership, Upskilling and Sustainability (YAG PLUS) Project is a MasterCard Foundation-supported initiative designed to support 2,000 Youth Advisory Group (YAG) members across Ethiopia to transition from youth engagement and leadership roles into dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.

The Youth Advisory Groups’ Participation, Leadership, Upskilling and Sustainability (YAG PLUS) Project is a Mastercard Foundation-supported initiative designed to support Youth Advisory Group (YAG) members across Ethiopia to transition from volunteer youth engagement roles into dignified and fulfilling wage employment and self-entrepreneurship.

The project provides transferable skills training, employability training, entrepreneurship development, mentorship, career coaching, financial inclusion referrals, and work-based learning opportunities, with a particular focus on young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced youth, and economically disadvantaged young people.

Position Summary

The Finance Officer will be responsible for supporting the financial management, budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, payment processing, and grant administration functions of the YAG PLUS Project. The position holder will ensure that all project expenditures comply with alignAfrica policies, donor requirements, applicable laws, and accepted accounting standards.

The Finance Officer will play a critical role in managing project finances, financial documentation, budget monitoring, and partner financial follow-up, prepare documents for audits, and financial reporting to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective utilization of project resources.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Planning and Budget Management

• Support the preparation, review, and monitoring of project budgets and annual financial plans. 

• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and provide timely variance analysis. 

• Ensure expenditures are charged to the correct budget lines and cost centers. 

• Support budget revision and reallocation processes when required. 

• Assist project teams in activity budgeting and cost estimation. 

2. Financial Transactions and Accounting

• Process payments, advances, reimbursements, and settlements in accordance with organizational policies. 

• Verify the completeness, accuracy, and eligibility of supporting documents before payment processing. 

• Maintain accurate accounting records and financial documentation. 

• Ensure all financial transactions are properly recorded in the accounting system. 

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations.

• Follow up on outstanding advances and ensure timely liquidation. 

3. Financial Reporting

• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, annual, and donor-specific financial reports. 

• Prepare of financial reports for MasterCard Foundation. 

• Provide financial analysis and expenditure tracking reports for project management. 

• Prepare cash forecasts and funding requests. 

• Ensure timely submission of financial reports and supporting schedules. 

4. Compliance, Internal Controls, and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with alignAfrica financial policies, donor compliance and statutory requirements. 

• Monitor adherence to financial procedures and internal control systems. 

• Support implementation of risk mitigation measures related to financial management. 

• Identify and report financial irregularities, risks, and compliance issues. 

• Maintain strong financial controls to safeguard project assets and resources. 

• Support fraud prevention, detection, and reporting mechanisms. 

5. Procurement and Asset Management Support

• Support procurement requests for budget availability and compliance. 

• Support procurement planning and financial review processes. 

• Maintain records related to project assets and inventory. 

• Participate in periodic asset verification exercises. 

6. Audit and Donor Compliance

• Support internal and external audits by preparing required documentation and schedules. 

• Ensure financial records are organized and readily available for audit review. 

• Support donor financial reviews, spot checks, and compliance assessments. 

• Ensure full compliance with MasterCard Foundation grant requirements and reporting standards. 

Equal Opportunity Statement

alignAfrica is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

alignAfrica maintains a zero-tolerance policy against fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, and any form of misconduct.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance. 

• Professional qualifications such as IFRS, IPSAS or equivalent are an added advantage. 

Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive professional experience in finance, accounting, grants management, or financial administration. 

• Experience working with INGOs, NGOs, donor-funded projects, or development organizations is highly desirable. 

• Previous experience managing donor-funded grants is required. 

• Experience managing cash transfers and youth employment projects is highly desirable. 

• Experience supporting audits and donor compliance reviews. 

Required Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of financial management principles. 

• Knowledge of donor financial compliance requirements. 

• Budget preparation and monitoring skills. 

• Financial reporting and analysis skills. 

• Internal control and risk management knowledge. 

• Grant management and donor compliance expertise. 

• Experience with accounting software, Efficiency with use of Microsoft Office; Specially Excel financial management systems. 

Core Competencies

• Good interpersonal skills: ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

• Strong work ethics and willingness to work a nontraditional work schedule.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Commitment to accountability and transparency. 

Language Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory. 

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit an updated CV (maximum three pages), cover letter detailing relevant experience and qualifications and three references via Ethiojobs no later than June 17, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Job Requirements The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance. Professional qualifications such as IFRS, IPSAS, or equivalent are considered an advantage. Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of progressive professional experience in finance, accounting, grants management, or financial administration. Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards, analytical skills, and attention to detail are essential. How to Apply Apply using the provided link below.