Finance Officer at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a global, non-governmental organization, which exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps works in the areas of emergency relief, sustainable economic development and civil society. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 94 nations. Mercy Corps Nigeria is collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Department for International Development and USAID partners implementing economic development programs throughout the country, and opened its Nigeria Field Office in December 2012.

We are seeking to engage interested and qualified candidate for the position of:

Job Title: Finance Officer ( Level 3)

Location: Adamawa
Reports Directly to: Senior Finance Officer with indirect reporting on technical aspects to the Finance Manager in Abuja.
Works Directly With: Finance, Program and Operation Teams.
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Program/Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast. With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria. The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• Stationed in Adamawa under the umbrella of the humanitarian response, the Finance Officer under the direction of the Senior Finance Officer in Gombe and with technical assistance from the finance department in Abuja, will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in timely and accurate manner as well as provide financial review and support to the programs. This position requires extensive travel to the field locations in Adamawa state.
• For the finance specific role, the Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Essential Job Functions

• Review employee expense reports, cash advance requests and travel approval requests within financial review authority for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Review procurement documentation within financial review authority for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Review payment requests within financial review authority for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Ensure all expenses are within assigned project budgets.
• Prepare checks or wire transfer requests based on fully approved documents and present to approved check-signers for review and signature.
• Prepare bank payment vouchers and ensure that all bank transactions are properly and fully documented.
• Record payment vouchers daily in the appropriate batch in Navigator, ensuring information in Navigator is as accurate as possible, including dimensions and expense details.
• Prepare timely and accurate month end reconciliations, ensuring all entries on the bank statement are accounted for, and follow up for completeness in a timely manner.
• Prepare monthly cash flow projections for program needs in coordination with program and operations and submit to Abuja.
• Contribute to an efficient filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded
• Respond to staff requests for information regarding invoices and their program budgets in a proactive and timely manner. Escalate to Finance Manager if necessary.
• Identify and resolve invoicing issues, accounting discrepancies and other financial related issues.
• Travel is required to different locations for the humanitarian programs including but not limited to Gombe and Adamawa.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• Three or more years of bookkeeping, accounting and finance. Experience in development sector is desirable.
• A Degree in Accounting or a relevant Business field is desirable.
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel is a must.
• Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude and attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Fluency in Hausa language is needed

Success Factors:

• A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. A high level of personal integrity, honesty and transparency in all cash handling is absolutely essential. The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required. A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.

Application Closing Date
31st August 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their CV and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: recruitment.nigeria@ng.mercycorps.org

Note

• All applications must include the position title in the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• We are an equal opportunity organization and we encourage residents in Adamawa and surrounding to apply for this position.