Program Accountant

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is inviting qualified professionals to apply for the position of Program Accountant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The successful candidate will provide financial management and accounting support to the REAP Program, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective budget management, donor compliance, and financial oversight of program activities and implementing partners. Applications are open to qualified candidates with relevant accounting experience and professional certification.

Job Overview

• Employer: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
• Job Title: Program Accountant
• Job Category: Accounting, Finance and Project Management
• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Employment Type: Full-time (National Staff Position)
• Career Level: Mid-Level / Experienced Professional
• Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience
• Grade: HG 13
• Minimum Base Salary: USD 752 per month
• Contract Duration: Initial appointment of 3 years, with the possibility of renewal
• Application Deadline: November 18, 2026
• Vacancy Reference: PACT/REAP/024/2026

About the Employer

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is an international research organization working to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research on the efficient, safe, and sustainable use of livestock.

ILRI is the only one of the 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, the institute operates regional and country offices and research projects across Africa and Asia.

Official Website: https://www.ilri.org/

Job Summary

The Program Accountant will provide financial management and accounting support to the REAP Program, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective budget management, and compliance with Mastercard Foundation and ILRI financial requirements.

The position supports financial planning, budget monitoring, donor reporting, partner financial management, risk management, and the delivery of timely financial information to facilitate informed decision-making and successful program implementation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting, Reporting and Donor Compliance

• Maintain complete and accurate accounting records for assigned REAP countries, workstreams, implementing partners, and cost categories.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including budget-versus-actual analysis, commitments, expenditure rates, forecasts, and cash positions.
• Support the preparation of Mastercard Foundation financial reports, fund requests, forecasts, and supporting schedules.
• Monitor donor financial reporting deadlines through the ERP System (OCS), coordinating with program teams, country offices, and implementing partners to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
• Maintain organized financial records and audit trails for transactions, approvals, budget reallocations, and financial decisions.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Analysis

• Support the preparation, consolidation, and revision of program budgets and financial forecasts.
• Translate approved workplans and procurement plans into detailed budgets, cash-flow forecasts, and expenditure projections.
• Monitor expenditure and commitments against approved budgets and investigate variances with budget holders.
• Support budget reallocations and donor approval requests through financial analysis and supporting documentation.
• Monitor cost recovery, co-financing obligations, pooled costs, and direct charges.
• Provide financial guidance and training to program staff on budget management, eligible expenditure, supporting documentation, and financial reporting.

3. Partner and Sub-Award Financial Management

• Support financial due diligence and risk assessments of implementing partners before contracting and throughout implementation.
• Review partner budgets, cash requests, financial reports, supporting documents, and expenditure liquidations.
• Maintain records of partner agreements, disbursements, expenditures, advances, outstanding balances, and reporting status.
• Follow up overdue partner reports and unsupported expenditure, escalating significant financial or compliance concerns.
• Support partner financial monitoring, spot checks, and financial capacity-building activities.

4. Cash Flow, Receivables and Payables Management

• Prepare cash-flow projections and support donor funding requests and partner disbursement planning.
• Prepare donor invoices or funding requests, record receipts, and follow up outstanding reimbursements.
• Process partner and supplier payments in accordance with approved budgets, agreements, financial documentation, donor requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations of receivables, payables, advances, partner balances, and relevant control accounts.
• Monitor foreign currency transactions and exchange gains or losses and provide relevant information to the Finance and Grants Manager and ILRI Treasury.

5. Financial Controls, Audit and Risk Management

• Conduct financial compliance checks covering expenditure, travel, consultants, procurement transactions, assets, advances, and partner payments.
• Identify financial and compliance risks and monitor the implementation of agreed mitigation measures.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation for donor, internal, and external audits.
• Track audit findings and support the timely implementation of corrective actions.
• Promote segregation of duties, fraud awareness, and prompt reporting of suspected irregularities or control weaknesses.

6. Financial Systems, Data Quality and Financial Close

• Support the maintenance of program structures, budgets, reporting dimensions, and partner records in Agresso/Unit4 and other approved financial systems.
• Complete monthly and year-end financial reviews, reconciliations, accruals, corrections, and project closure activities.
• Prepare financial dashboards and standardized reports to support program management decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve and automate financial workflows while maintaining appropriate controls and audit documentation.
• Support grant close-out, including partner liquidations, outstanding commitments, final reporting, audits, refunds, and records retention.

7. Business Partnering and Coordination

• Serve as the day-to-day finance focal point for assigned REAP program teams and implementing partners.
• Collaborate with the Finance and Grants Manager, country finance teams, program leadership, Grants and Contracts, Procurement, Legal, People and Culture, Internal Audit, and other departments.
• Prepare financial updates for program review meetings and follow up agreed financial actions.
• Provide cross-functional support to the REAP finance team during reporting, budgeting, auditing, and project closure periods.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting.
• Full professional accounting qualification (CPA (K) or ACCA).
• Active membership in the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) or an equivalent recognized professional accounting body.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in accounting, preferably in program or project financial management.
• Experience managing the financial aspects of a Mastercard Foundation-funded project is an added advantage.
• Experience using enterprise resource planning (ERP) and financial reporting systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with financial dashboards or business intelligence tools is desirable.

Technical and Professional Skills

Candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Service Orientation: Proactive and service-minded approach to providing efficient, high-quality financial support.
• Integrity: Honesty, transparency, and ethical professional conduct.
• Results Orientation: Ability to meet objectives, manage priorities, and deliver results efficiently.
• Professionalism: Strong application of professional ethics, standards, principles, and technical expertise.
• Teamwork and Interpersonal Relations: Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively toward shared objectives.
• Multicultural Competence: Ability to work respectfully and inclusively with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Communication: Strong communication and information-sharing skills, with a clear, timely, and service-oriented approach.
• Innovation and Creativity: Ability to develop new ideas and improve existing financial processes and working practices.

Salary, Benefits and Employment Conditions

• Minimum Base Salary: USD 752 per month.
• Job Grade: HG 13.
• Appointment Type: National Staff (NS) position.
• Initial Contract Duration: Three years, with the possibility of renewal depending on individual performance and funding availability.
• Benefits: ILRI's remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes life and medical insurance, an offshore pension plan, and other benefits.
• Work Environment: ILRI provides a secure and attractive campus in Addis Ababa, with on-site dining and sports facilities.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should submit the following documents through the official ILRI recruitment portal:

1. Cover Letter: Clearly indicate the position title and vacancy reference number PACT/REAP/024/2026 in the subject line.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include the names and contact details of three professional referees who are familiar with the applicant's qualifications and work experience. Provide their telephone numbers and email addresses.

Application Portal: https://ilri.simplicant.com/

Applications must be submitted online through the official recruitment portal on or before the stated deadline.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: November 18, 2026

Important Notice

• Women applicants: Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Recruitment Fees: ILRI does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process, including application, interviews, processing, or training.
• Official Recruitment Channel: Applications must be submitted through the official ILRI recruitment portal.

For more information about ILRI and its career opportunities, visit:

• Official Website: https://www.ilri.org/
• Careers Portal: https://ilri.simplicant.com/
• More ILRI Jobs: https://www.ilri.org/jobs

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