Zonal Program Accountants at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - 4 Positions

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a loan front the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the implementation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-I (ATASP-I). The ATASP-I will contribute to the objectives of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government by addressing the constraints of Rice. Sorghum and Cassava value chains in four staple crop processing zones of Adani-Omor, Bida-Badeggi, Kano-Jigawa and Kebbi-Sokoto. The Program comprises three complementary and mutually reinforcing components viz: Infrastructure Development; Commodity Value Chain Development; and Program Management. The specific objective of the program is to contribute to food and nutrition security, employment generation, and wealth creation along the priority commodity value chains.

The Program will be implemented through four (4) Zonal Offices. The Zones are: Adani-Omor with Head Office at Awka: Bida-Badeggi with Head Office at Bida; Kano-Jigawa with Head Office at Kano and Kebbi-Sokoto with Head Officer at Birnin Kebbi.

For effective Zonal Program take-off the ATASP-I is constituting a Zonal Program Coordination ream (ZPCT) at each of the 4Nos Zonal Program Head Offices. Consequently, part of the proceeds of the ATASP-I loan will be applied to engage the services of Officers at each of the four (4) Zonal Program Head Offices:

Job Title: Zonal Program Accountant

Location: Nigeria
Slot: 4

Main Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Zonal Program Coordinator, the Zonal Program Accountant will be responsible for overseeing the management and administration of Program finances.

Specific Duties:

• Ensure the program’s financial procedures, as detailed in the Program Implementation and Financial Manuals are strictly adhered to by all program staff and implementing partners at the state level.
• Facilitate the timely disbursement of program funds to various units.
• Prepare Statement of Expenditures (SOE5) for timely preparation of withdrawal applications.
• Maintenance of up to date accounting and financial records in accordance with the project’s accounting system, including journals. ledgers, fixed asset registers, etc.
• Responsible for the safe custody of petty cash and documents.
• Reconcile accounts and prepare financial statements.
• Ensure timely closure of accounts at the end of the month and prepare a reconciliation statement and submit that updated account to the management.
• Responsible for verifying the eligibility and accuracy of all payments.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements in the processing of funds for project activities (including advances and payments to service providers) as well as timely processing and payment to intended beneficiaries.
• Liaise with various department/Units to prepare the periodic financial report on the standard format and submits to the ZPC, who will forward to the NPC for further necessary action.
• Produce monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports,
• Prepare for and coordinate and supervise all financial and administrative audits in a timely manner
• Ensure that all supporting documents used in request for funds replenishment as well as payments for projects activities, goods. works and services are properly kept.
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned front time to time by the Zonal Program Coordinator and/or by the National Program Accountant on the NPCT.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in accounting as well as membership of a recognized accounting body (eg. ICAN, ANAN, CPA,ACA, ACCA, ACMA).
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience, preferably in a donor assisted project/program. A working knowledge of AfDB financial regulations will be added advantage
• Familiarity with public sector financial management systems in government and multi lateral operations.
• Comprehensive computer skills with practical knowledge of Microsoft Officef (especially Word & Excel) and Accounting Software.
• He/She must be a Team player and open to learning new techniques.

Terms of Appointment
Maximum of five years, renewable every year subject to satisfactory performance. The performance criteria will be the indicator for assessing every officer.

Application Closing Date
13th August, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit ten (10) copies of his/her application. All application should be addressed to the following addresses, depending on the State and Stable Crop Processing Zone of Interest:

Adani-Omor Stable Crop Processing Zone
Enugu State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture,
No 1, Garden Avenue,
Enugu State.

Anambra State:
The Hon. Commissioner,
Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
ADP Compound, Kwata Junction,
Km 41 Enugu, Onitsha Express Road,
Awka,
Anambra State.

Bida-Badeggi Staple Crop Processing Zone
Niger State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Niger State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
Abdulkarim Lafene Secretariat,
Minna,
Niger State.

Kano-Jigawa Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kano State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Kano State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
No 1, Bida Road, Off Post Office road, by Civic centre road,
Kano State.

Jigawa State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Jigawa State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
Block B, New State Secretariat Complex,
Dutse,
Jigawa State.

Kebbi-Sokoto Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kebbi State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture,
Gwadan Gwaji State Secretariat Complex,
Birnin Kebbi,
Kebbi State.

Sokoto State:
The IFAD-CBARDP Coordinator,
ADP Premisis,
Abdullahi Fodio Road,
Sokoto State.

All application must be addressed and delivered to the above address. Applicants should ensure that the position applied for as well as State and the Zones are clearly written on the top right hand corner of the envelope.

Note: Only Short listed candidates will be contacted.