Finance, Grants & Operations Manager

Solomon Oluma Imana

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia +251-***-****** / +251-***-****** *********@*****.*** Date of Birth: 24 December 1978

SUMMARY

Senior finance, grants and administration professional with 20+ years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, grants and sub-grants management, donor compliance, procurement, audit, internal controls and operational administration across international NGOs, local NGOs and government institutions. Currently serving as Senior Finance Advisor with The Development Fund (DF) Ethiopia, providing financial oversight and advisory support to donor-funded programmes and implementing partners. Extensive experience in partner pre- award assessments, grant agreement compliance, budget monitoring, financial reporting, expenditure verification, procurement review, audit coordination, financial monitoring, partner capacity building and management advisory services.

Previously served as Finance & Procurement Department Head for an EU-funded project, Internal Audit and Donor Compliance Officer, Finance and Administration Manager, Grant Finance Officer, and ADP Accountant and Finance Officer. This combination provides strong practical experience across the full finance, administration, procurement and operational functions required to manage donor-funded projects. Experienced with major donor-funded programmes supported by Norad, USAID, DFID/FCDO, EU, GAA, HELVETAS, Save the Children, Light for the World, GIZ, World Bank, WFP, UNDP and other UN agencies. Strong knowledge of donor compliance, Ethiopian financial requirements, internal controls, audit, financial reporting and partner financial management.

Holds an MSc in Accounting & Finance and BA in Accounting, both completed with great distinction, with practical knowledge of GAAP and IPSAS.

EDUCATION

Wolkite University, Ethiopia

MSc in Accounting & Finance, Great Distinction 2018 Jimma University, Ethiopia

BA in Accounting, Great Distinction 2010

Diploma in Accounting, Accounting Diploma

EXPERIENCE

Senior Finance Advisor 17 January 2022 – Present

THE DEVELOPMENT FUND (DF) – ETHIOPIA Addis Ababa

Donor: Norwegian Government / Norad

• Conduct partner pre-award financial assessments using established organisational criteria and guidelines to assess financial capacity and suitability for funding.

• Review grant agreements and amendments to ensure compliance with donor requirements before signature.

• Identify partner finance capacity gaps and provide technical assistance, coaching and on-the-job support.

• Review partner expenditure reports for legitimacy, accuracy, eligibility, cost classification and correct coding against grant agreements.

• Verify vendor invoices and supporting documentation, including VAT invoices, purchase orders, quotations and delivery evidence, before advance liquidation.

• Prepare schedules for quarterly financial reviews and year-end audits by independent external auditors.

• Conduct financial monitoring and provide capacity-building support at partner headquarters and project locations.

• Prepare partner disbursement requests and follow up grant receipt confirmations.

• Conduct quarterly field financial monitoring and prepare monitoring reports.

• Participate in joint field monitoring visits with programme teams and provide finance-related advice.

• Support programme staff on financial, grant-management and compliance matters.

• Coordinate with headquarters, programme teams, partners and auditors to resolve financial and compliance issues.

• Support grant databases, financial documentation, audit schedules and management reporting. Finance & Procurement Department Head 1 August 2021 – 16 February 2022 REFUGEES AND RETURNEES SERVICE – RETURNEES REINTEGRATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Donor: European Union

• Oversaw the operations of the Finance and Procurement Departments, establishing objectives, priorities and operating frameworks.

• Monitored budget utilisation, budget revisions and project expenditure.

• Prepared monthly Budget vs Expenditure reports for management in donor-agreed currency.

• Monitored daily financial transactions, accounting records, balance sheets, payroll processing, invoices, bank reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

• Ensured project budgets and expenditures complied with EU grant terms and conditions.

• Managed and monitored strategic and transactional procurement, including tendering, evaluation, contracting, contract management, payment conditions, contractor performance and risk assessment.

• Worked closely with internal and external auditors on statutory audits, grant audits and special investigations.

• Provided finance and procurement advice to project management. Internal Audit & Donor Compliance Officer 21 December 2018 – 31 July 2021 REFUGEES AND RETURNEES SERVICE – RETURNEES REINTEGRATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Donor: European Union

• Identified finance, procurement and operational compliance risks and advised management on appropriate corrective actions.

• Prepared annual compliance audit plans and work schedules using risk-based audit methodologies.

• Conducted independent compliance reviews and provided objective advice to project management.

• Advised management on technical, administrative and compliance matters to support timely decision-making.

• Reviewed financial transactions for compliance with EU financial policies and procedures.

• Participated in year-end physical inventory and project close-out activities.

• Followed up implementation of audit findings and recommendations. Finance & Administration Manager 1 July 2014 – 30 November 2018 GAYO PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (GPDI)

Donors: DFID, GAA, HELVETAS, Save the Children, Light for the World, GIZ, World Bank, UNDP and others

• Managed daily finance and administrative operations and ensured accurate and timely recording of financial transactions.

• Prepared and monitored annual budgets in collaboration with programme teams.

• Monitored budget utilisation against donor agreements and advised programme management on budget status and corrective actions.

• Managed travel and business advances and ensured proper accountability in accordance with organisational policies and local regulations.

• Monitored contracts and budgets for compliance with approved agreements.

• Maintained the accounting system and ensured accurate reporting and compliance.

• Analysed financial statements and management reports and provided recommendations to management.

• Coordinated annual planning and budgeting with senior management and programme teams.

• Provided oversight of selected HR and administrative functions, including leave tracking, recruitment of local short-term experts and personnel administration.

• Ensured personnel files complied with organisational policies, labour laws and donor requirements.

• Worked closely with external auditors.

Grant Finance Officer 2 January 2014 – 30 June 2014 CHILDFUND ETHIOPIA

Donor: USAID

• Prepared financial reports, cost analyses, budget-versus-expenditure reports and periodic donor and management reports.

• Ensured grant budgets complied with organisational, donor and government requirements.

• Managed grant accounting ledgers using the web-based E-Financial system.

• Facilitated grant audits and followed up audit findings and recommendations through closure.

• Developed and implemented grant fund-management and tracking procedures.

• Verified grant financial documents and reports and enforced financial policies and procedures.

• Provided technical support and training to partner organisations on grant-making and financial management.

• Prepared monthly treasury provisions and facilitated fund transfers to partners.

• Supported donor audits, including preparation and review of audit Terms of Reference.

• Ensured outstanding payments and advances were cleared before grant closure. ADP Accountant & Finance Officer 8 April 2011 – 31 December 2013 WORLD VISION ETHIOPIA

Donors: Singapore, USAID, Korea and others

• Prepared timely ADP financial and grant reports for programme management and internal/external stakeholders.

• Reviewed payment requests and disbursements for appropriate authorisation and supporting documentation.

• Managed bank matters, including bank signatories, bank reconciliations and deposits.

• Maintained current and accurate project financial records and reviewed head-office and programme-office charges for correct coding.

• Reviewed payroll for Community Development Workers and casual workers and ensured timely payment and statutory tax remittances.

• Participated in budget preparation, cash-flow analysis, budget management and financial control with programme staff.

• Managed cash requests and month-end cash balances. Auditor 8 June 2004 – 31 January 2008

OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL OF OROMIA

• Prepared audit plans and supported timely execution of audits.

• Reviewed financial statements of government organisations for compliance with government and donor rules and regulations.

• Prepared audit reports identifying financial weaknesses, errors and inconsistencies and recommended corrective actions.

• Prepared action plans and monitored implementation of audit recommendations.

• Provided advice on policies and implementation of audit recommendations. Accountant & Auditor 26 December 2001 – 17 April 2004 OROMIA COOPERATIVE PROMOTION BUREAU

• Prepared financial reports in accordance with government financial policies.

• Participated in budget preparation, budget management and budget control.

• Coordinated pre-audit preparation for external audits.

• Followed up implementation of audit recommendations.

• Prepared audit plans and reviewed financial statements for compliance with government and donor requirements.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Finance & Administration Management

Donor-Funded Project Management

Budget Preparation, Monitoring & Forecasting

Grants & Sub-Grants Financial Management

Implementing Partner Financial Monitoring

Financial Reporting & Analysis

Procurement & Contract Management

Payroll & Statutory Compliance

Internal Controls & Risk Management

Audit Planning & Coordination

Financial Policies & Procedures

Cash-Flow & Treasury Management

Accounts Payable & Receivable

Bank Reconciliation

Fixed Assets & Inventory

Staff Finance Support & Capacity Building

Ethiopian Tax & Financial Compliance

Management Advisory Services

Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint

VISMA Business Peachtree E-Financial

Digiflow OneStop Reporting Adobe Sign

DONOR & INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

Extensive practical experience supporting and managing donor-funded programmes financed by: Norad USAID European Union DFID/FCDO GAA HELVETAS Save the Children Light for the World GIZ World Bank WFP UNDP Other UN Agencies Experience includes donor budgeting, financial reporting, grants and sub-grants management, expenditure eligibility, procurement compliance, partner monitoring, audits, financial controls and capacity building.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Financial Management for NGOs Grants Management for NGOs EU Rules & Regulations for Grants & Cooperative Agreements USAID Rules & Regulations for Grants & Cooperative Agreements IFRS GAAP IPSAS Reporting & Internal Controls Essentials Budgeting & Accounting Essentials Management of Balance Sheet Items Accounting for Employee Advances Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Systems: VISMA Business, E-Financial, Peachtree Accounting, Digiflow, OneStop Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Sign and database-management applications.

PROFESSIONAL VALUE PROPOSITION

Finance Leadership: More than 20 years of progressive finance, accounting, audit, grants and administration experience. Donor Compliance: Strong practical experience ensuring expenditure, procurement, budgets, grants and financial reports comply with donor, organisational and Ethiopian requirements. Finance + Operations: Direct management experience covering finance, procurement, administration, payroll, contracts, HR support, assets and operational controls. Grants Management: Extensive experience assessing partners, reviewing grant agreements, monitoring partner expenditure, managing disbursements and supporting grant closure. Audit & Internal Control: Strong background in internal audit, donor compliance, external audits, risk assessment and implementation of corrective actions. Partner Capacity Building: Proven experience training, mentoring and providing technical support to partner finance teams. International NGO Environment: Extensive experience working with international donors, INGOs, government institutions, implementing partners, programme teams, headquarters and external auditors. REFERENCES

Mr. Diriba Habte RRS RR PMO – Finance & Procurement Head Tel: +251-***-****** / +251-***-****** Email: ********@*****.***

Dr. Boku Tache GPDI – Executive Director Tel: +251-***-****** Email: ********@*****.*** Mr. Waraqasa Alemu World Vision Ethiopia – Western Hub Nekemte Finance & Administration Manager Tel:

+251-***-****** / +251-***-****** Email: **************@***.*** Mr. Tashome Lemma Head of Western Agency Office, Office of the Auditor General of Oromia Tel:

+251-***-****** / +251-***-****** Email: ************@*****.***

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