Finance Manager at Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE)

Direct Reports:  Project Director, State Program Manager, WEWE Executive Director

Purpose and Scope Of Work

• The Finance Manager will have the overall coordination of the financial and administrative aspects of the project in Abuja by ensuring team’s compliance with WEWE, USAID financial compliance and ensuring timely disbursement and retirement of funds.
• The post will be based in the WEWE Abuja office (Project Secretariat) with occasional trips to the project sites, State offices (Niger and Kaduna).

Responsibilities
Project Finances:

• Overall coordination, management and delivery of the financial reporting, documentation, disbursement and retirement of funds in the project in line with the donor requirements and as per the approved design, implementation plan and budget;
• Work with the State Programme Manager, Finance Manager, M&E Manager, Audit/Compliance Officer, the management team and other relevant technical advisors to ensure high quality financial budgeting.
• Ensure accurate plans and budgets are prepared in suitable formats, up to date, and according donor requirements;
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to Donors.

Managing People and Coordination of Activities:

• Manage performance of the State Finance Officers, State, providing the coaching and mentoring support needed to improve their performance.
• Effective coordination and supervision of project finance staff and partners’ finance officials to ensure structures work effectively.
• Internal support to donor and statutory financial audits.

Controls, Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure qualitative implementation of fiscal requirements of the project, maintenance of clean financial records and documentations, and generation of quality periodic financial reports, in line with WEWE’s guidelines.
• Coordinate the management of financial accounts, preparation of budgets and monitoring of project expenses in line with Donor regulations and requirements.
• Prepare regular narrative, quarterly reports and oversee financial reports in line with organisational and donor requirements.
• Coordinate financial systems in compliance with donor requirements and regulations and WEWE financial policies.
• Coordinate the periodic testing to determine that financial controls systems are working properly and designing remediation where appropriate.

General responsibilities:

• Ensure high levels of transparency and accountability to both donors, to the project communities in line with WEWE’s vision to be the most financially compliant NGO in Nigeria.
• Observe with all WEWE and donor’s performance management standards and indicators.

Key Relationships

• Internally: WEWE Executive Director, WEWE Finance and Admin Director, State Programme Manager, Project Director, Head, Internal Audit/Compliance
• Externally: External Auditors, Donor at the national level, and some interaction with local implementing partners and other stakeholders at the local level.

Critical Competencies
Strong skills in the following areas: project and people management skills; budgeting & financial:

• Management; information management and reporting, networking and stakeholder engagement, negotiation and persuasion; planning and organising; problem analysis; oral and written communication; and organisational learning and capacity development.
• The post-holder is expected to be results and data orientated; a team-player; pro-active and creative; culturally and gender sensitive; a good listener; committed to self-development; and able to make sound judgements under pressure.

Job Requirement (Knowledge/Skills Competencies)
Qualifications:

• A Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Accountancy.

Minimum Working Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience working in the field.
• Must be a Chartered Accountant (ICAN) or possess ACCA Certification.
• Experience in working with international NGOs, local civil society organizations, government, bilateral and multilateral donors in a multi-cultural, politically sensitive environment.
• Thorough understanding of program management, donor reporting requirements and managing donor relations.
• Demonstrated financial management and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated capability to design and implement financial controls systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a variety of internal and external relationships, including relationships with donors and partners.
• Proven ability to manage team, with strong leadership, conceptualizing ideas and able to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skill with ability to analyse and interpret internal and external financial and non-financial communications.
• High degree of accountability and integrity and ability to coach, mentor and inspire subordinates.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s accounting and finance laws and regulations is essential and experience in Accounting practices, auditing, pay-rolling, sub-granting, finance management.
• Literacy in effective computer-based Communication tools, Presentation, Word Processing, Spreadsheet and other standard programs.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and administrative procedures in the financial management of donor assisted projects.
• Fluency in English required (oral and written).

Desirable Experience:

• Knowledge and experience in financial reporting in gender sensitive and inclusive value chains programming.
• Masters in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration is an added advantage.