Finance Officer at Christian Aid (CA) - 2 Positions

Christian Aid is a UK-based international NGO which exists to eradicate poverty around the world. It is currently working in more than 40 countries and has had its programme in Nigeria since 2003. The Nigeria country programme presently focuses on community health and HIV, governance and gender.

Christian Aid is working with others to end poverty in Africa. At the heart of this vision is transformation of the lives of people who live in poverty, empowering them to have a brighter future. The Nigeria Country Programme presently focuses on Community Health and HIV, Accountable Governance and Gender. We are looking for a dynamic and motivated person for the position of a Finance Officer to support the team and Christian Aid Partner to ensure funds are managed effectively and financial standards are maintained.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title Finance Officer

Ref No: 0484
Department: International
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: (Job Title) Finance Coordinator
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Contracted Hours: 35
Length of Contract: 1 Year 7 Months

Role purpose

• To be responsible for ensuring efficient and accurate cash and bank books are maintained, monthly accounts and returns are produced in a timely manner, reports are extracted from the financial and administration systems to review the status of the budget and the adherence to financial policies and working with partner organisations to assist them in programme financial management.
• To also manage aspects of financial reporting, budgeting, auditing and compliance related issues, in line with Christian Aid and institutional donors procedures and policies.
• To improve the capacity of Christian Aid programme staff to understand both Christian Aid's and institutional donors' financial policies and procedures.

Role context

• Based in Abuja, the role is part of the wider Nigeria country team.
• It is responsible for providing support to CA partnerships and programmes to ensure funds are managed effectively and allocated as per the approved project.
• All aspects of the programme finance function, which will include financial records, financial reports, budgets, donor funds, internal and external audits and providing financial support to Christian Aid staff and Partner staff.
• This role will also support or manage partner financial capacity, manage the compliance function.
• The position requires travel within the country.

Key Outcomes

• In collaboration with other colleagues, budgets are prepared and monitored for partners and relevant institutional donor funded programmes.
• Financial capacity building delivered to partners to include procurement, reporting, compliance and how to deliver training.
• Christian Aid staff, partners and consultants complies with Christian Aid's and institutional donors' policies and procedures.
• Financial reports are of high standard in the right format and timeline
• In collaboration with Finance Coordinator, commission project and organisational audit
• Good relationships with internal and external stakeholders are maintained through positive communication.

Role Requirements
Relationships:

• External: The role holder will have contact with partners, external auditors and other relevant stakeholders
• Internal: The role is lined managed by the Finance Coordinator. This role will have contact with colleagues within the country office, local auditors, the internal audit team, international finance team and programme funding

Decision Making:

• This role is expected to work in close collaboration with Finance coordinator and Programme Officers to deliver financial information to Christian Aid and/or donors.
• Able to make decisions around the necessary capacity building for partners and Christian Aid staff in relation to programmatic finance skills.

Analytical Skills:

• Ability to apply logical thinking and common sense to gathering and analysing information, designing and testing solutions to problems, but also carrying out some routine work.

Developing self and others:

• Continuously look for opportunities for self-development.
• Give and receive honest and open feedback in a timely manner. Will advise others in some technical financial matters.

Person Specification
Applied Skills/Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• Degree in Accounting or its equivalent
• Knowledge of financial standards required by donors, local financial standards and legal framework
• Experience in working with financial accounting procedures and reviewing financial reports, creating and monitoring budgets and working with compliance regulations.
• Considerable experience in delivering financial training using different methodologies.
• Experience in using excel spread sheet and word processing packages and other account reporting tools.
• 2-3 years working experience in similar post for a local NGO or an INGO

Desirable:

• Knowledge in institutional donor requirements.
• Experience in dealing with institutional donor fund accounting.
• Experience in using computerised financial reporting tools.
• Qualified IFAC accountant

IT Competency required:

• Intermediate

Competency Profile
LEVEL 2: You are expected to be able to:
Build partnerships:

• Take on different work when necessary to achieve a team or organisational goal. Actively consult with others to ensure you understand their needs or goals. Listen to and take on board fresh perspectives and views even if you initially disagree with them. Maintain on-going relationships with individuals and contacts through networks, based on mutual rapport and respect.
• Communicate effectively: Make complex things simple for the benefit of others. Actively listen and question to check your understanding and draw out others when they are not expressing themselves clearly or seem to be holding back. Be sensitive to what others may be feeling, based on what they say, how they say it and their non-verbal behaviour, adapting your style and approach to fit. Address difficult issues when they arise, being honest and open.
• Steward resources: Implement ways to reduce the inefficient use of resources or pass the ideas on to someone who can make them happen. Estimate the resources needed to achieve your own work plans or objectives and to deliver them in the most efficient and cost effective way. Set and communicate realistic timelines for achieving tasks, working out how best to adapt as priorities change or unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Deliver results: Prioritise, plan and monitor own work to meet own and team deliverables to agreed performance or quality standards. Acknowledge others’ priorities whilst being prepared to say “no” if there are genuine reasons why their needs cannot be met. Use logical processes and relevant tools and techniques to report on information or analyse options. Make timely and considered recommendations or decisions based on analysis of available data, information and evidence.
• Realise potential: Evaluate your own work and actively address gaps in knowledge and skills, without prompting. Recognise how you react to feedback and manage reactions positively, acting on specific feedback from others. Share your knowledge where it will help others to be more effective. Provide instruction, constructive feedback and guidance to others to help them learn.
• Strive for improvement: Constructively challenge existing practice. Seek better ways of doing things, taking into account the possible implications. Make positive suggestions on a way forward when faced with challenges even if these fall outside own scope of work. Look inside and outside Christian Aid for new ideas and evaluate them for own work.

Salary
₦5,031,303 - ₦6,186,418 Salary (Full Time)

Application Closing Date
10th June, 2015

Interview Date
15th June, 2015

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online