Award Management Officer 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Award Management Officer

Job ID.: 3001378
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Category: Finance

Job Summary

• As Award Management Officer, you will be responsible for the overall financial management of the STaR project.
• You will oversee the effective and appropriate use of financial resources of the project and will develop effective mechanisms for budgeting, expenditure and liquidation tracking, and financial reporting, for the prime partner and any sub-awardees.
• You will oversee financial management and reporting on STaR project for Nigeria, Chad and Niger.
• You will ensure that project financial management processes for the project follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor (KFW) rules and regulations, and country legal requirements, and that all required project financial reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Roles and Key Responsibilities
Grant Management and Budgeting:

• Ensure STaR grants management processes are aligned for Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger project teams.
• Monitor grant amendments, update grant files, submit copies of amendment documents to Catholic Relief Services by uploading relevant documents on Gateway, and monitor the grant expiry period.
• Ensure that donor-required reports (including accrual reports) are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates.
• Lead on developing KfW funding Withdrawal Applications according to schedule.
• Lead project teams on any budget re-alignments and project no-cost extensions.
• Coordinate with CP and Regional finance to ensure that all donor reports generated and analyzed are sent out to donors promptly.
• Coordinate grant closure activities with the respective project/grant accountant and HQ/Regional Finance to ensure that once the grant expires, the closure process is followed up per donor regulations.
• Review and approve liquidation journals, ensuring accurate postings, particularly to designated account codes, and proper sub-recipient accounts are charged.
• Review PPM and GL records for errors and recommend correction when necessary.
• Participate in preparing the budget commensurate with the program implementation plan and advise the Chief of Party on budgetary issues.
• Review sub-recipient budgets and provide comments/recommend approval by the Chief of Party.
• Develop effective budget monitoring tools and implement them for all CRS sub-recipients.
• Actively engage in budget discussions and generate feedback for the senior management team on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings.
• Address the needs and the implementation of training on budgeting and compliance.
• Support Country Program Finance if needed.

Sub-recipient Financial Support:

• Ensure that the Project Grant Accountant provides direct technical support in all aspects of finance for sub-recipients.
• Orient accounting and project management staff in relevant and appropriate donor financial management policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure the integrity of donor grant financial reporting and the effective control of financial assets. Regularly monitor and assess sub-recipients' ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions and provide feedback to Finance officers.
• Advice on GAAP and basic accounting records to be maintained with sub-recipients.
• Coordinate the identification of training needs and development of country-specific training curriculum for training of sub-recipients.

Financial Reporting and Auditing:

• Lead financial reporting for the STaR project, ensuring that financial information from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger is accurate, timely, and complete.
• Facilitate all internal and external audits for the STaR project.

Required Languages:

• English language. French is an added advantage.

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics.
• Preferably with work experience in an international NGO
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations is preferred.
• Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.
• Familiarity with German Government (KFW, BMZ, GFFO) financial regulations, policies, and practices; OR experience working at a senior level on a DFID/EU/ECHO-funded grant.
• Knowledge of ERP (Insight) financial accounting package or similar financial management and reporting software.

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:

• B.A. Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration with courses in accounting, plus a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA/ICAN or equivalent), is preferred.
• Minimum of five years experiencein a position with similar responsibilities, with two years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and web conferencing applications. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Knowledge of local law in the area of taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Accuracy and completeness with a strong eye for detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Chief of Party, Head of Finance, Program Managers for all implementing CPs, Finance Managers/Grant accountants for other implementing CPs.
• External: Sub-recipients, External auditors.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff.When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals.These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Personal Accountability - consistently takes responsibility for one’s actions.
• Acts with Integrity - consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others - works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learning - seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change - continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others - builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhances team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset - understands the role of translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team principles.

Safeguarding:

• CRS is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people who interact with our work. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and expect all staff and partners to respect and protect the dignity and rights of everyone from any form of harm, abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
• All staff are required to follow CRS’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to complete mandatory safeguarding e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
12th May, 2024.

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

Note

• ***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
• Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
• CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
• CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.