Grant Accountant at Concern Universal Nigeria - Cross River

Concern Universal Nigeria is the Executing Agency (EA) for the WSSCC's Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) programme in Nigeria. The aim of the programme is to significantly increase sanitation coverage and attain a positive and sustained hygiene behavioural change in six Local Government Areas ( LGAs), three in each of the two participating states (Benue and Cross River State). This programme will present a model towards state wide coverage for sanitation that can be marketed and replicated in other states.

Concern Universal Nigeria is seeking experienced candidates to support the implementation of this programme under this category

Job Title: Grant Accountant (GSF – RUSHPIN)

Location: Based in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.  Inter State and up country travel required.

Responsible to: Finance Manager

Start Date: 1st February, 2013
Relationships with others: Will communicate and liaise closely with Concern Universal (CU) and GSF stakeholders, as necessary/ appropriate

Job Purpose

• The Grant Accountant is responsible for designing and maintaining day-to-day financial operations of the GSF grant based on CU's financial and administrative policies and procedures.
• The Grant Account will be responsible for petty cash of this grant, separate from others, bank and float and advances to sub-grantees, budgetary preparation and forecast, and reporting monthly financial performance
• A significant level of effort will be rendered in CU head office in Calabar, in addition to more work rendered in field offices and sub-grantee offices, to cover all operational systems. 
• Executing this function will mean extensive travel to field locations, however this will be managed through consultation with the Finance Manager

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Day - to - day Financial Operations of Concern Universal

• To administer the provision of transaction processing services for the GSF-RUSHPIN Programme, ensuring that all related payments (vendors, staff, contractors, consultants, etc) are made accurately and within agreed payment terms.

2.) Cash

• To administer all cash handling arrangements for the GSF-RUSHPIN Programme;
• Ensure that payment vouchers are adequately coded, authorised and receipts attached
• Disburse cash (as appropriate) to staff from the cashbox
• Daily cash reconciliation and counts
• Maintain adequate level of cash is available and arrange for replenishment, as necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date cash book
• Daily update of the ledger

3.) Bank

• To act as key reference point for financial queries relating to the operation of all GSF-RUSHPIN bank accounts.  This will include:
• Opening and maintaining bank accounts as necessary
• Maintain up-to-date bank mandates and record of all forms relating to the programme bank account
• Monitoring the bank balance in each bank account and updating the ‘Bills & Payments’ spreadsheet immediately upon receipt of funds into the accounts account
• Collate Programme cash flow requirements/forecast and feed to Finance Manager for monthly funds drawdown form UK.
• Monthly bank reconciliation for the programme account

4.) Floats & Advances

• Administer staff floats ensuring overdue retirements are flagged up to the Finance Manager
• Administer sub-grantees’ floats, retirements and balances, ensuring proper records are maintained and balances are agreed with partners’ periodically (and ensuring overdue retirements are flagged up to the Finance Manager)

5.) Month End

• Administration of the month end process in relation to all programme transactions; ensuring all postings and reconciliations are completed to allow for timely reporting
• Preparation of monthly programme monitoring reports, as may be allocated by the Finance Manager
• Monthly budget tracking and preparation of budget variance analysis
• Monthly review of debtor accounts, ensuring appropriate repayments on debtor balances are no more than one month old.

6.) Programme Audits

• To liaise with auditors and provide them with required information, during field work of programme audits.

7.) Year End

• To prepare year-end reconciliations and schedules required for the annual audit and submit to the Finance Manager, within agreed deadlines
• To liaise with external auditors and provide required information, during field work of annual statutory audit

8.) Collaboration with:

• Finance Manager
• To work closely with the Finance Manager on;
• Developing and implementing/embedding improved Grant/Finance management Systems
• Preparation and drafting of monthly and annual budgets; and periodic forecasts
• Budget management and donor reporting (as may be required by the Finance Manager)
• Preparation of timely donor report.
• Other Programme Staff/Sub-Grantees
• Consolidate and post on to ledger, financial information/reports provided by sub-grantees and other field staff.
• Periodic field visits to field to/for;
• Training needs assessment and capacity building of sub-grantees
• Ensure proper records are being kept and adequate financial management systems are in place
• Support field staff and sub-grantees in understanding and adhering to GSF-RUSHPIN financial management systems and procedures

9.) Other

• To support and work with staff and sub-grantees and other external stakeholders, in understanding CU and GSF’s financial systems.
• To carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the Finance Manager &/or the Country Director.

Requirements

Education

• BSc or BA Accounting/Finance and at least part qualification in ACCA, AAT, ICAN or CIMA

Experience:

• Minimum of three years relevant experience in a Finance/Accounts department.
• Proficient skills in the use of MS Office tools (minimum Word, Excel, Internet browsing/e-mail operations)
• Experience of training/coaching Finance and non-Finance staff,
• Experience of working with an e-Finance system
• Working experience of Sage Peachtree
• Practical problem solving skills in a difficult environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

Application Closing Date
20th December, 2012

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit completed application form to: recruitmentcun@gmail.com.

Note: CVs will not be acknowledged or accepted.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for panel interviews. All applications should be submitted before 4pm of the closing date.