Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Job Recruitment (4 Positions)

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is a recently established Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for the benefit of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Authority will take off with an initial funding of US$1 billion, the NSIA is legislated to invest pledged funds on behalf of the people of Nigeria for their medium and long-term benefit through investments: savings for future generations, infrastructure development and the stabilization of the Nigerian economy.

The NSIA is seeking highly competent and result-oriented individual with strong personal and professional integrity to join a dynamic executive management team. The team will have overall responsibility for the implementation of the establishment of the SWF whose governing principles are based on rules and guidelines that are consistent with international best practices for managing SWFs. The performance, reporting and transparency of the NSIA will be exemplary, and enable Nigerians to see and understand how their patrimony is being managed and increased for the future.

To this end, a suitable candidate is being identified for immediate consideration, to fill the following positions

1.) Chief Financial Officer - NSIA 1

Reporting to the CEO the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective management and utilization of the Authority’s financial resources in line with its corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development and implementation of finance and accounting policies, processes and procedures in line with best practices while ensuring adequate in built controls
• Develop and implement robust cost management strategies to monitor and control costs across the organisation
• Facilitate the budgeting process and ensure effective budget performance of the authority, adherence to the budget and other key financial management elements
• Ensure timely remittance of all statutory deductions to the relevant bodies e.g pension and taxes and manage the interface between the authority and external auditors
• Provide advice to the management team on all financial issues.
• Continually review the effectiveness of the authority’s finance policies, procedures and processes and identify improvement opportunities and authorize expenditure/transactions in line with the approved financial authority limits

Qualifications and Skills

• First degree in accounting or any related finance/business related field
• Professional accounting qualification e.g ACA, ACCA
• At least 12 years related experience of which 4 years in managerial role
• Experience in asset/investment management organisation will be a plus
• Good understanding of foreign exchange operations and regulations and other related regulations
• Advanced financial and accounting knowledge including in depth understanding of international and Nigerian accounting and financial reporting standards and hands on experience in financial planning and analysis
• Strong business acumen, maturity and tact including ability to relate with highest level of management of financial institutions and other stakeholders

2.)  General Counsel - NSIA2

Report to the CEO, provision of legal services to the authority on matters of litigation, land/property document perfection, contracts and other transactions that have legal implications to effectively mitigate the Authority’s exposure

Responsibilities

• Coordinate monitor and ensure the Authority’s overall compliance with statutory and related regulatory requirements
• Provide on going legal and regulatory advisory for operational and investment specific matters across the organisation
• Manage the relationships with external solicitors and arbitrators
• Monitor and advise on litigation claims and ensure minimal damage is sustained by the authority
• Coordinate the drafting of all legal documentations between the authority and 3rd parties required and relevant authorities
• Attend board and other committee meetings and provide required secretarial support
• Vet documents held under seal and maintain proper custody of the authority’s seal and provide secretarial and administrative support in the execution of the authority’s corporate governance policies

Qualifications and Skills

• First degree in law
• Related professional and postgraduate qualifications
• At least 12 years related experience of which 4 years at strategic management level
• Good knowledge of leading practices in secretariats services and corporate governance
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Nigerian legal services

3.)  Head Investment Risk Management - NSIA 3

Reporting to the chief risk officer, will manage all investment related risks including transaction and project specific risks

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive market assessment including statistical analyses and provide up to date information to guide the Authority’s investment decisions
• Continuously review/assess the risks facing the authority’s investments in order to proactively establish appropriate mitigating controls and monitoring mechanism/framework
• Define and continuously review the authority’s investment risk policies, processes and activities, define risk limits/thresholds for each of the funds, monitor the risk profiles accordingly and escalate/report on and manage indicators outside thresholds with risk owners and make recommendations for improvements
• Generate regular reports to executive management on risk profiles of the authority’s investments
• Stay abreast of industry trends, events, issues and developments to enable the development and implementation of appropriate control measures and monitoring mechanism as requires

Qualifications and Skills

• First degree or equivalent in finance or any other business related field
• Relevant post graduate or professional certificate
• At least 10 years experience of which 3 years in management role
• Relevant experience in market risk is a plus
• Strong understanding of investment risk management

General Requirements

Understanding of global financial markets, domestic macro economic policy issues, local and global SWF governance and regulatory frameworks
Strong professional profile and high ethical standards and integrity
Strong leadership, business management, interpersonal and influencing skills with excellent track record of measurable results
Excellent communication skills
Ability to multi task and function effectively under pressure
Appreciate understanding of the NSIA’s mandate

4.) Finance Manager - NSIA4

Report to the chief financial officer CFO responsible for managing the authority’s financial transactions, ensuring constant availability of accurate and current financial information and resources in line with NSIA’s business objectives

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of finance and accounting policies, procedures and processes in line with best practices while ensuring adequate in built controls
• Participate in the budgeting process and provide regular information on budget performance monitoring and review
• Prepare invoice schedules and cash forecasts.
• Ensure timely processing of all expenditure including payroll, staff loan/advances, tax returns and pension remittances
• Ensure timely capture of the authority’s receivables and payables
• Create, review and reconcile relevant tax accounts - VAT, PAYE, WHT etc in order to ensure completeness, accuracy and validity
• Remit all statutory deductions to the related bodies on a timely basis
• Assist in the preparation of the authority’s financial statements

Requirements & Skills

First degree in accounting or related finance/business related field
Professional certificate in accounting e.g ACA, ACCA will be added advantage
At least 7 years experience of which 2 years in supervisory role
Related experience in an asset/investment management organisation is a plus
Hands on experience in finance and accounting functions and treasury operations
Strong financial and accounting knowledge including in depth understanding of international and Nigerian accounting and financial reporting standards

General Requirements

• Understanding of global financial markets, domestic macro economic policy issues, local and global SWF governance and regulatory frameworks
• Strong professional profile and high ethical standards and integrity
• Strong leadership, business management, interpersonal and influencing skills with excellent track record of measurable results
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to multi task and function effectively under pressure
• Appreciable understanding of NSIA's mandate

Application Closing Date
7th January, 2013

Method of Application
Interested applicants are to quote the appropriate references number as the subject of the email (i.e NSIA 4) and send a well detailed CV in MS word format and saved with full names (please include in the application, a statement of how you meet the advertised criteria, as well as names and contact details (with telephone and e-mail addresses) of three referees who are knowledgeable about your professional achievements) to:
[email protected]

The Roles will be located in Abuja and are open to Nigerians within and outside the country. Women are strongly encouraged to apply and all applications will be treated in strict confidence