Finance Manager at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Manager

Location: Abuja

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure and just communities.
• The organization’s programs are implemented in twelve states, mainly in North and North-East Nigeria and Lagos.
• Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls &boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. 
• Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors. 

General Position Summary

• The Finance Manager is responsible for all aspects of day to day financial management of the country programs, working collaboratively to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations.
• S/he works under the direction of the Finance Director and is responsible for all financial functions in Nigeria including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. 
• The Finance Manager, in support of the program departments, provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction of finance department by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives.

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Communicate with our partners to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.
• Establish high level of credibility and ensures strong working relationship with external stakeholders.

Financial:

• Ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of Mercy Corps programs.
• Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage in coordination with the Admin. Department, to protect Mercy Corps.
• Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by award/project, required sub grantee reporting, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assist in monthly management reports to the Country Director and Program Managers, including expenditures by award/project, sub grantee reporting and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Program Managers.
• Up-date a master budget of the mission according to running costs and awards budget to communicate regularly the financial situation of the mission to the Country Director
• Ensure permanent and appropriate archiving (hard and soft copies) of all financial documentation
• Ensure external or internal auditors are provided access to financial information/documentation and understanding of Mercy Corps financial policies and procedures. Coordinates response, action plans and follow-up as necessary of any finance-related audit finding.
• Support all process of drafting budgets for new proposals or budget revisions for existing awards in coordination with others departments

Compliance:

• Perform financial review of purchase requests, purchase orders, and payment requests to ensure compliance with MC policies and procedures and donors grants and contracts requirements.
• Supervision of sub-office finance staff with frequent travels to relevant sub-offices and other locations.
• Provide advice, training, and consultation on compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor compliance requirements.
• Promotes culture of ZERO tolerance to corruption, ensuring that all staff know the details of our corruption policy and know how to report.

Team Management:

• Supporting hiring and training of finance teams in the main office and field offices.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
• Accountability to Beneficiaries:
• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
• to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 4 years of progressive financial management experience is required.
• BA/S or equivalent in Accounting or Finance is required.  An advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in grants management as well as an understanding of donor regulations is required (particularly USAID and EC).
• At least 3 years of experience with international NGO or business is required
• Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across program and finance teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
• An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
• The Finance Director must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
10th March, 2017

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected]

Note

• All applications must include the position title in the subject line, be not more than four pages and must be submitted on or before the closing date.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.