Senior Finance Officer at Helen Keller International

Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Cofounded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer

Location: Abuja (FCT)

Background

• The USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity and advance development.
• The overall purpose of the project in Nigeria is to provide technical support to the Government of Nigeria, and other nutrition stakeholders and generate evidence to enhance nutrition programming toward achieving the overall goal of improving nutrition for a healthy, productive, and resilient Nigeria.

Functional Relationships

• The Senior Finance Officer reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP) with dotted line reporting relationship to the Associate Director - Program Finance and Financial Services.
• The Senior Finance Office works closely with the Country Director, Finance Manager, and Program Managers, facilitating integration between accounting, finance and program staff towards the common goal of ensuring that USAID Advancing Nutrition project objectives are met.
• Helen Keller Intl has a matrixed reporting structure that respects both the line management and authority within departments and geographical hierarchies as well as the accountability and oversight duties of subject matter experts outside of each department and geography. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive.

Scope of the Position

• The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for the overall financial management and compliance support to the project, in accordance with USAID Acquisition rules and regulations and Helen Keller policies and procedures.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the Chief of Party to safeguard the assets (financial and physical) of Helen Keller and the U.S. Government against fraud, loss or misuse. S/he will ensure that any resources expended on the project is done in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Helen Keller policy, and USAID cost principles.

Specific Responsibilities

• Oversee the project’s financial operations, setting up and overseeing financial procedures in line with USAID and Helen Keller requirements
• Ensures management of project finances is conducted with highest integrity and transparency, and in accordance with Helen Keller’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy.
• Serve as in-house project team expert on financial requirements under USAID Acquisition, including working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the USAID Acquisition Regulations, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, and local laws. Understand and comply with Helen Keller internal review and approval procedures.
• Work with the Helen Keller global and local office teams to ensure that day-to-day project’s financial processes procedures are implemented and working properly, with the appropriate checks and balances in place and local owners identified.
• Lead local financial activity, including but not limited to reviewing: liquidations of employee advances and all project payments (petty cash, invoices, employee advances, employee reimbursements etc); to ensure that liquidations/payments are submitted on time in accordance with approved budget and properly supported in compliance with HKI and USAID requirements.
• Manage time and expense reporting, finance, accounting policies, procedures and standards in alignment with USAID and Helen Keller procedures
• Work with field based leadership (i.e. COP and CD) and Global finance staff, prepare quarterly financial reports and other ad hoc required financial reports for submission to Helen Keller Global finance.
• Maintain complete financial knowledge of the project including but not limited to monthly monitoring of actual expenses against budget; project implementation rates and variance analysis and share these reports to and/or alert the COP; Global Finance and other stakeholders.
• Prepare proposal budgets and budget amendments and related budget narrative in conformity with the workplan.
• Manage the project start-up and/or closing processes, in coordination with local and Global Finance and Grants and Contract Unit staff.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge USAID rules and regulations.
• Coordinate with Global and local finance staff to ensure that financial information e.g. obligated amount, project end date etc are properly reflected and updated in the financial and project management systems. Manage hard copy and electronic financial records for the project.
• Manage audits related to the project (country office/l audits and/or internal audits).
• Conduct visits to field offices and/or meet with other stakeholders, as required, to assist in the financial management and/or provide capacity building.
• Ensure contract terms are being met and help the team closely follow and monitor the annual budget and work plan.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Finance Management, Accounting or an equivalent university degree; plus
• Professional experience of at least eight (8) years in a similar position, preferably in an international NGO, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required: Working knowledge and experience with USG Regulations, including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and others.
• Experience with budgeting and financial reporting requirements on multimillion-dollar USAID-funded projects
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience operating in developing country environments, including managing projects, budgets, and work streams as well as local national staff
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to solve complex problems
• Understanding of key aspects of accounting. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel spreadsheets, or comparable software.
• A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude, in line with the Helen Keller’s values
• Strong team working orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organization
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Collaboration Skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
• Ability to plan, balance and cope with competing priorities

Terms & Conditions

• This is a local posting in Nigeria, and as such, is subject to local terms and conditions.

Application Closing Date
22nd October, 2021.