Finance and Operations Lead

We are searching for an experienced Finance and Operations Lead at our Addis Ababa facility. 

About the Programme

Palladium is developing a proposal to implement the Transforming Education in Ethiopia programme (TREE), funded by FCDO (UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office). TREE is a £20m GBP Technical Assistance Facility supporting Ethiopia’s education sector across three main outcome areas:

School Leadership and Teacher TrainingEnglish as Language of InstructionEquity and Girls Education

 We are recruiting a project Finance and Operations Lead (FOL) to oversee the financial management and operations of the TREE programme. The FOL will lead a small team responsible for ensuring the operations, logistics, and financial smooth running of the project.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Finance and Operations Lead is responsible for leading and overseeing programme financial management and operational excellence across the TREE programme. They will provide leadership in tracking the programme budget, expenditure, and forecasting, while supporting programme financial reporting on budget and value-for-money to the FCDO.

This will be a full-time position with an expected start after April 2025 and is expected to be based in Addis Ababa. This role is contingent on Palladium being successful in its proposal to deliver the FCDO’s TREE Programme.
Main responsibilities 

Accountability for project finance, including budget management (tracking, reporting, monitoring expenditure, payroll for approximately 8 staff) and adherence with local (Ethiopian) and client (FCDO) financial regulations, such as donor cost eligibility, in-country tax burdens, and employer tax and social security obligations.
Management of programme financial documentation and records in accordance with local law and regulations.
Primary management of the TREE programme budget, including working with the Team Leader and Technical Leads to measure and forecast expenditure against agreed budgets under each technical Outcome area.
Collaboration with the Project Manager (UK-based) to report to FCDO on programme value for money, financial health, and forecasting on a quarterly and annual basis. Contribution and coordination on Palladium internal financial reporting.
Line management of the programme Security and Logistics Manager and task management of the Project Assistant.
Accountability for relationship management with programme key suppliers, including contract negotiation, preparation, and delivery.
Leadership of programme audit management, collaborating with the Project Manager to comply with both statutory and FCDO client audits as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

Key competencies and requirements 

Extensive experience in supporting project financial management and processes, including for international donor-funded projects. Experience with FCDO or DFID highly desirable.CMA or equivalent qualifications in accounting, with demonstrable experience in leadership over financial processes.Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills.Experience in supporting project recruitment and HR processes Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Amharic.


Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.