Finance & Compliance Manager at United Purpose (UP)

United Purpose (UP) is an international development organisation that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the world's poorest communities. Established in 1976, the organisation has nine country programmes in Africa, Asia & South America.

In Nigeria, UP has been working for almost two decades with local partners and rural communities in the country’s South East. We implement projects funded by major international donors that aim to address gender inequalities and rights abuses, improve sanitation and access to water, foster accountability, preserve vital ecosystems and develop sustainable livelihoods.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance & Compliance Manager

Location: Abuja

About Self Help Africa & United Purpose

• In late 2021, Self Help Africa (SHA) and United Purpose (UP) merged. The two organizations – one headquartered in Ireland and the other in Wales – implement projects to end extreme hunger and poverty.
• This merger doubled our size and reach – and means that in 2022 we are implementing poverty eradication projects in 17 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Collectively, we are also part of a group that includes social enterprise subsidiaries Partner Africa, TruTrade and Cumo Microfinance.
• In 2022, our work reached more than six million people and invest upwards of €45m in more than 100 development programmes designed to improve food systems, facilitate access to markets and financial services, combat climate change, and gender inequality, and improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
• This is an exciting time to join us as we unite two like-minded and entrepreneurial organisations seeking to tackle global challenges in progressive and innovative ways.

Job Purpose

• Under the overall leadership of the Country Director, the Finance and Compliance Manager will provide oversight and leadership to the efficient and effective operation of the finance and compliance functions of the Nigeria Country Office programme.
• S/he will be responsible for all financial functions in the Nigeria Country Programme, including accounting, payments and banking, budgeting, financial reporting, grant financial management and compliance while ensuring the technical capacity building of field finance staff.
• The role will be directly responsible for the implementation and overall management of financial systems and controls and will be accountable for assessing, monitoring and mitigating both internal and external risks across the Country Programme; and providing effective guidance to the quality of management oversight on key functions within the Country Programme.
• These include day-to-day financial management (including monitoring and review of transaction recording/posting to accounting software and adhering to internal controls, financial reporting (internal/external), cash/bank management, budget administration, oversight of administrative/support functions, staff capacity building and any other related matters in the country. S/he will also be developing high-quality approaches and systems, working closely with program leads and other senior staff to ensure effective monitoring and response to external risks associated with compliance with policy and regulations, statutory requirements and collaborating with teams across the country programme and Global team.
• The Finance and Compliance Manager is a key part of the senior management team of the Country Programme and under the overall leadership of the Country Director plays a key role in the overall achievement of the country programme goals. At the country level, the role will liaise and provide direct support to Country Management Team (CMT), budget holders, procurement, auditors, and partners. The role will also work closely with the Global Office Programme Finance Team.

Key Responsibilities
Country Office Finance Management:

• Lead effective cash management including control of cash flows and monitoring of cash-on-hand balances per project. Preparation of cash requests for approval by the Country Director and onward submission to the global office Programme Finance function. Liaison with banks as appropriate.
• Ensure monthly standard accounting submissions from the respective field offices, including account reconciliations, financial analysis of month-end transactions by the award for accurate coding, as well as other financial analysis and information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide monthly management reports to the Country Director, Global Finance Office, Program Managers and senior management teams including expenditures by fund/project, income and expenditure account, cost analysis reports, and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Monitor and analyse grant budgets and spending, and in coordination with program/project managers, initiate and prepare required budget realignments.
• In conjunction with country office Programme Management, ensure effective management of Country office and project budgets - identify potential under or over-spends and liaise with country office Programme Management/Project Managers, Country Director, global office, and donors as appropriate.
• Preparation of the Country Programme annual budgets (in liaison with country office programme management and Country Director for submission to global office/donors.
• Support in developing and appraising financial aspects of project proposals for submission to the global office and donors.
• Oversee the preparation of and review of the accuracy and completeness of donor financial reports – monthly, quarterly, or annually, as required by the donor contracts and guidelines, which agree with the corresponding narrative reports. Submission to the global office for approval along with budget variance analysis and explanations.
• Preparation of the year-end audit file and financial statements, arranging and ensuring the timely completion of the year-end audit (accounting year end -31 December). Submission to the global office for approval.
• Review and approve payment documentation, ensuring amounts are in line with agreed budgets, authority levels, internal control procedures and donor requirements are adhered to, and timely payments are made to suppliers, partners, and beneficiaries.
• In conjunction with the finance team and country office management, schedule regular monitoring visits to, and internal audit of, local partner organisations, ensuring their financial systems and controls are of an appropriate standard to ensure security and effective management of funds advanced.
• Preparation of monthly payroll to ensure that all relevant personnel information is up to date and local compliance with statutory and other legal requirements. Ensure local compliance with employee tax deductions and that all relevant statutory deductions are employees’ salaries and paid to appropriate authorities.

Compliance Functions:

• Lead financial procedures review, update and implementation across the country offices.
• Be responsible for assessing, monitoring and mitigating both internal and external risks across the Country Programme; and providing effective oversight of the quality of management on key functions within the Country Programme.
• Work closely with department leads and other senior staff to ensure effective monitoring and response to external risks associated with compliance with policy and regulations, and statutory requirements, collaborating with teams across the country programme and global team.
• Ensure that high quality, effective systems are in place to monitor and respond to internal risks, associated with but not limited to: partnerships and local NGO relationships, relationships with public institutions compliance with SHA/UP policy and regulation, which includes safeguarding, fraud, corruption and conflict of interest.
• In conjunction with Country Director and Country Office Programme Management, support the risk assessment of any new Partner organisation as part of the due diligence process before contracts are signed. Review and provide input on the financial requirements included in the agreements made with Partner organisations.
• Initiate the development and maintenance of systems that ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donors’ guideline SHA/UP policies and procedures.
• Perform the financial review of purchase requests, purchase orders, and payment requests to ensure compliance with SHA/UP policies and procedures and donors' grants and contract requirements.
• Perform compliance reviews of field office processes including procurement, asset management, Human Resources, Admin, travel & logistics and coordinate with the relevant program managers to improve processes as needed.
• Provide guidance, training, and consultation on compliance with SHA/UP policies and procedures as well as donor compliance requirements to the country team.
• Identify efficient and effective solutions to issues while ensuring compliance with SHA/UP policies and donor regulations,
• Perform follow-up and resolutions for internal and external audit recommendations to improve or enhance the internal control environment.

Team Management and Security:

• Lead a diverse team of direct and indirect reports in the field offices and conduct timely performance planning; establish performance expectations with team members, provide regular constructive feedback on team members’ performance and conduct performance reviews in a collaborative manner.
• Contribute to field office team-building efforts; build constructive internal relationships; help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Support the finance team to develop their technical finance skills through routine coaching, training and guidance.
• Assess capacity gaps within the finance team, and ensure timely hiring, training and onboarding of the new team members.
• Provide team members (new and old) with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Create a sustainable work environment of mutual respect that attracts motivated, skilled and effective team members and enables them individually and collectively to strive to achieve excellence.
• Ensure that the security aspect of the operations is considered while developing cash management and related financial policies.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Contribute to the overall strategic leadership of the country programme, participating and leading in key SMT processes as required.

Key Relationships:

• Internal & External

Knowledge, Experience & Other Requirements
Education and other qualifications:

• University Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent in a relevant field is required.
• The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with certification from an Internationally recognized Accounting Qualification (ACA, CIMA, CPA, ACCA)
• Minimum of 7 years of operational finance experience, preferably in a mid to large international NGO with 3-4 years of management experience including supervisory experience required.

Experience and skills:

• Strong technical skills and up-to-date knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• Experience in the preparation and review of management accounts and the ability to critically analyse a trial balance.
• Experience in managing donor funds and contracts, as well as an understanding of donor regulations.
• 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.
• Experience in the preparation of yearend financial statements and managing annual external audits
• Experience in managing, training and supporting staff.
• Experience working with partner organisations.
• Experience in undertaking risk assessments, internal audits and/or assessing internal controls
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally when required.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.

Language Requirements:

• Written and oral proficiency in English and the relevant local language is a plus.

Application Closing Date
20th January, 2023.