Senior Finance Director at Creative Associates - LEARN to Read Project

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department.Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Finance Director

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

Program Description

• Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching (Adamawa) and technical assistance (On Demand States), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils.
• The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform.
• The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains.
• LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Responsibilities

• The Sr Finance Director will provide overall financial management and oversight for the USAID funded project and will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP).
• This position will also be a liaison with headquarters to ensure full compliance with regulations and policies related to the implementation of effective internal controls.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain financial management and accounting control systems for program expenditures
• Ensure that the project meets all donor contractual requirements and complies with donor policies and regulations
• Ensure accurate and timely information is provided, to assist in the day-to-day management of the project and to drive management, strategic and budgetary decisions;
• Ensure project liquidity and establish appropriate checks and balances to mitigate financial risks and conflicts of interest
• Track the transfer of funds between headquarters and the field office and manage accounting and finance records of in-country expenses, including developing tracking and monitoring all financial project activities, and maintaining current project expense data
• Oversee all finances for the project including budgets and grants.
• Ensure all financial records are audit ready, establish cost and fiscal controls and enforce stringent international financial & auditing standards that ensure efficiency, accountability and compliance
• Lead the development of the monthly projections, annual budget, forecasts, pipeline analysis, budget realignment, fund obligation requests and support the development of the annual workplan
• Direct the formation and implementation of financial, compliance policies and procedures, guiding policy decisions and providing technical expertise
• Provide guidance to support teams on compliance requirements of client, local tax and labor laws
• Ensure all procurement processes are fair and transparent, reviewing financial compliance, and monitoring subcontract implementation
• Verify all the project procurements prior to execution and determine source selection methods for complex procurements to ensure compliance with Creative polices and USG rules and regulations
• Verify USG vetting clearance for all the vendors selected for the project procurements
• Manage finance personnel and payroll office staff and procedures
• Develop and implement financial procedures manual
• Provide financial management and systems training for project staff
• Lead on all financial close-out of project activities and ensure complete documentation is secured
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Business, Financial Management or related field with 10+ years of work experience is required
• ACA / ACCA / CPA certification highly required.
• Previous financial management of a donor-funded project in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Public or private sector management, financial analysis, cost accounting and relevant experience preferably in developing countries
• Demonstrated capacity to supervise a complex financial management or general ledger system
• Competent in using computers and financial software
• Experience managing teams
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Excellent written and spoken English essential
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks
• Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team

Application Closing Date
22nd May, 2024.