CFO Ethiopia

About the role

This position is responsible for steering the finance, controlling, and administration functions for the country. The role must align with finance policies, accounting standards, and the legal framework so that leadership has reliable information for decision-making. It also supports business goals in Ethiopia and, where needed, contributes to sub-region activities while staying compliant with all regulatory requirements.

What you will do

• Lead the shape of the local finance and controlling strategy, along with the related policies and operating procedures, to support business success.
• Drive cost-efficient operations and identify opportunities to reduce spend.
• Set and maintain the country’s controlling and accounting direction so financial activities, policies, and procedures meet both business goals and regulatory standards.
• Define financial objectives, track progress, and ensure an early-warning mechanism is in place to surface issues promptly.
• Direct the organization’s financial resources to protect and strengthen the financial health of the business over the short and long term.
• Own long-term financial planning for the country within the sub-region.
• Approve investments for the country and other countries in the sub-region, within delegated authority.
• Provide accurate, clear, relevant, and timely management reporting to the division and executive board, including financial CREST reporting and operational data.
• Sign off on monthly IFRS financial statements and ensure all IFRS, statutory, and legal obligations are met.
• Review investment and acquisition cases and coordinate their evaluation and approval in line with DPDHL policy.
• Ensure budgeting, planning, and forecasting follow financial policies and support strategic targets.
• Continuously improve finance processes, systems, tools, and methods.
• Take action to reduce or resolve financial risk.
• Ensure strong billing and cash collection processes are in place across the country and sub-region.
• Assess complex finance matters and improve existing approaches where needed.
• Work closely with Africa management and senior experts, providing financial guidance and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Recruit, develop, motivate, and coordinate the finance leadership team to improve internal customer service and build staff potential.
• Approve important personnel decisions for the function.
• Build commitment, energy, and engagement across the company and division while supporting talent retention.
• Challenge teams to go beyond standard expectations and reach strong performance outcomes.
• Define team structure, responsibilities, and performance goals together with division leadership.
• Review staff performance and recommend performance-based compensation for direct reports.
• Design and develop the finance architecture, including organization structure, job profiles, and competency profiles.
• Create performance contracts, targets, and KPIs for customer-facing staff.
• Strengthen department capability and capacity to meet finance objectives.
• Align people and skills to business goals and manage competency levels and performance against service and business needs.
• Ensure all finance activities meet efficiency targets and KPIs.
• Prepare recurring reports for the Managing Director, CFO SSA, SSA Area Office, and SMT.
• Review internal customer inquiries, purchases, service requests, and complaints to identify patterns and trends.
• Track finance KPIs, standards, and reporting.
• Balance operational measures with customer service expectations.
• Influence internal stakeholders to support proposals and solutions, even where cooperation may initially be limited.
• Continue providing financial expertise to the Africa management board and senior organizational experts.

Experience and qualifications

The role calls for at least 10 years of financial management experience in an international service setting, including a minimum of 5 years in global express and/or freight forwarding. A strong grasp of operational processes, combined with strategic thinking, is essential.

Candidates should hold a postgraduate qualification in financial management, an honours degree, and a professional accountancy qualification. Strong knowledge of IFRS and corporate/company tax is required, along with exposure to compliance and customs regulatory environments.

About the employer

The organization describes itself as a highly international logistics business that connects people across the world. It emphasizes the importance of global connection and the value of helping life move forward through cross-border shipping and logistics.

Additional information

The company is seeking someone who can help strengthen and grow its role in connecting the world. Applicants are invited to submit their application.