Project / Grant Accountant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been supporting program activities in Nigeria for over 30 years and has long-standing relationships with Church and non-Church partners and communities throughout the country. The Nigeria country program has a diverse funding base with projects in health, nutrition, food security and agricultural livelihoods, microfinance (SILC), emergency response and peacebuilding. CRS/Nigeria currently has over 210 national and 8 international staff. With an FY22 annual budget of over USD $100 million, coupled with strong donor interest in supporting CRS’ work in the country, significant growth opportunities exist for the CP. The CP has been supporting emergency activities in the NE states since 2015 with offices in Damaturu, Maiduguri and Yola.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project / Grant Accountant

Job ID: 22000049
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job Type: Full-time
Shift: Standard
Schedule: Regular
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Job: Finance
Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Summary

• You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the BHA policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the THRIVE financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project life cycle.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for THRIVE subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned accounts in Insight
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant THRIVE staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist THRIVE staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to THRIVE staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Perform assigned treasury duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Deputy Head of Finance, Finance Manager, Head of Office, Admin Manager, Procurement Manager.
• External: Subrecipients, and External Auditors.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• 6 to 9 years relevant work experience with INGO/NGO, of which three years should be in management in USG grants/finance and compliance similar to this position. Very a strong finance background.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of Enterprise Accounting software or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Required Languages:

• English and Hausa required.

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 10 %.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

Application Closing Date
1st March, 2022.