State Accountant at Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, government of Nigeria has secured credit from the international Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The VCDP will focus on addressing constraints along the cassava and rice value chains in targeted LGAs in Ebonyi State. The Progamme comprises of three complementary and mutually reinforcing components via Agricultural Market Development, Small holder Productivity Enhancement, and Programme Coordination and Management.

The specific development objective of the Programme is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the targeted LGAs are enhanced on a sustainable basis in the participating states.

As part of the preparatory activities towards the commencement of programme in the State, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is constituting the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) at the State Programme Headquarters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is recruiting for the position of:

Job Title: State Accountant

Location: Ebonyi

Specific Duties

• Ensuring the Programme’s financial procedures as detailed in the Programme implementation and Financial Manuals are strictly adhered to by all Programme staff and implementing partners at the state level.
• Facilitating the timely disbursement of Programme funds to the various accounting units mainly the service providers and farmer’s groups.
• Compiling SOEs for the PMU and other implementing partners for timely preparation of withdrawal applications.
• Ensuring adherence to international Financial Report System as well as Government of Nigeria financial practices and circulars as issued from time to time.
• Maintaining sound accounting system that ensures installation of good and complete chart of accounts and maintaining all relevant books of accounts that ensures complete recording and reporting of all financial and non-financial transactions of the Programme at the state level.
• Facilitating and ensuring that external auditors are availed all necessary documents and information during the audit as detailed in the Financial Agreement.
• Preparing financial reports and advising Programme Coordinator on the Programme’s financial status and trends.
• Supporting the Financial Controller in the installation and management of sound Integrated Financial Management information System (Computerized Accounting) for SPMU.
• Undertaking any other duties (related to Programme’s activities) as may be assigned by the Programme Coordinator.

Qualification and Experience

• First degree or Higher National Diploma in any numerate discipline.
• A higher degree will he an added advantage.
• Processional Qualification (ACA ANAN ACC A) with at least 5 years post qualification experience.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in management team of donor funded projects.
• Strong working knowledge of both national and international accounting procedures.
• Strong computer skills, spread-sheets, and other relevant accounting packages.
• Working knowledge of banking and financial control procedure.

Application Closing Date
6th May 2014

Method of Application
Each applicant should send his or her application together with their Curriculum Vitae (CV) electronically to: [email protected] in addition to the submission of 10 (ten) hard copies of the application, CV and photocopies of educational qualifications in sealed envelop indicating the position applied for at the top left hand corner of the envelop to:

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources State Secretariat,
Opposite Unity Square,
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Note: All late submission will be rejected

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.