Project Finance Officer at Methodist Church Nigeria

LOCATION: Borno State, with travel around the North East

DURATION: One-year contract, with a possibility of extension

TIME/STATUS: Regular, Full-time

Background

Methodist Church Nigeria has been at the forefront of spiritual and social transformation and investing in medical-health services and socio-economic welfare of the people. The church is committed to the development of mental health services in Nigeria and has progressively led the integration of mental health services into primary care in Benue State working in partnership with community-based and government structures.

Methodist Church Nigeria is a sub-recipient of the CBM-BMZ Transitional Aid funding to support the development of mental health services in North East Nigeria. The project aims to deliver an effective and sustained response to the most urgent, much desired and basic needs of vulnerable populations affected by the crisis in the north east of Nigeria.

Methodist Church Nigeria is currently seeking suitable and qualified candidates to fill vacant positions within the project. 

The positions include:

a. Mental Health Project Officer

b. Strategic Behaviour Change Project Officer

c. Project Finance Officer

d. Project Driver

Position Summary

The Project Finance Officer (PFO) will ensure that the project team complies with CBM and BMZ Finance Policies and Procedure and Principle of stewardship. This person will provide oversight in funds management and accounting (processing of financial data according to donor requirements, verifying accuracy of data, implementing accounting policies and procedures, and generating prompt and accurate financial reports) within the project and support the project team in keeping with internal control systems and providing feedback on budget performance within the project.

The PFO is directly responsible for all financial and administrative tasks and procedures as well as the logistics functions for the project, and ensures that internal control systems are kept in line with project financial regulations and international standards. S/he will work closely with the Project Manager and CBM to drive best practices in financial management and administration, while supporting collaborating partners in improvement of accounting systems.

S/he will be based in Maiduguri, and will report to the Project Manager.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management and Accounting/Financial reporting:

• Assist project team in Budget Review and Quarterly Cash Forecasting
• Report Sub-Agreement commitments to be recorded in project’s accounting system.
• Review and process the issuance of project advances in accordance with Donor Policies and Procedures.
• Prepare budgets in coordination with Senior Management Team and CBM.
• Prepare timely and accurate Donor Financial Reports in accordance with terms and conditions outlined in the grant agreement.
• Prepare regular – monthly, quarterly and annual - finance reports on budget performance (income and expenditure overviews) and position of liquidity (bank and cash balances).
• Prepare the Project Progress Report (PPR).
• Record and maintain financial transactions (accounting) including recording receipts and disbursements such as ledgers, cash books, vouchers and the likes in Quickbooks Accounting Software.
• Safeguard proper use of internal control procedures including the monthly reconciliation and control of bank and cash balances and reconciling data for recurring or special reports.
• Manage all petty cash transactions and maintain records of these disbursements and balance accounts as required.
• Maintain contacts with local banks for verifying accounts status, collecting bank statements, verifying currency exchange rates and similar direct transactions.
• Fill payment vouchers in and write down related cheques for different payments.
• Prepare required financial documentation for both internal (periodic) and external (annual) audits.
• Send reminders and follow up with staff as regards retirement and liquidation of advances.
• Supervise the up-to-date office inventory lists of fixed assets, especially equipment and furniture.
• Update the asset register on a regular basis.
• Coordinate project’s procurement process in collaboration with CBM.
• Participate in financial monitoring of project’s collaborating partners.

Compliance Management:

• Set up a financial control and compliance system for the project in line with universally accepted standards.
• Verify partner health facilities’ activity financial reports and associated support documentations and recommend for liquidation and/or reimbursement in accordance with Donor policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Report any fraudulent activities observed as part of the review to the Project Board and Project Manager immediately.
• Prepare partners’ Aging Report for Program and Management Review on monthly basis.
• Provide onsite training to both state teams and health facilities’ staff when required.
• Ensure that local tax matters, including income tax, payroll taxes and other taxes are adequately handled in compliance with the laws of Nigeria.
• Ensure Project’s files both in hard and electronic copies are up to date.

Audit

• Ensure that financial records are readily available for internal/external auditors and reviewers.
• Attend to all financial audits when required and facilitate the process.
• Follow up with recommendations from internal and external audit findings.

Administrative functions

• Ensure that inventory of assets of the organization are maintained, and monthly reports of assets are prepared and submitted in line with internal and Donor’s reporting timelines.
• Organize logistics for program-related staff and consultant travels with adequate tact and professionalism.
• Organize procurement for conferences/workshops and specific other special events with adequate tact and professionalism and in line with standard best practice and guidelines.
• Organize procurement of office supplies and assets based on Donor policies and procedures, and standard best practice.
• Ensure that office equipment and property are put in good condition at all times to forestall functionality issues and delivery of duties of staff.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Education, Knowledge & Experience

• B.Sc. Accounting from a reputable institution. Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is an added advantage.
• Minimum of five years’ relevant experience in financial accounting, especially within the development sector.
• Must be a motivated, problem-solving individual with high levels of initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong internal relationship management and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate high level of initiative, diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent knowledge of computer software – MS Office (PowerPoint and Excel especially).
• Excellent skills in the use of QuickBooks accounting software.
• Good working knowledge of accounting, financial analysis, budgeting procedures and cash/bank reconciliation.
• Excellent analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Ability to carry out all assigned duties with minimum supervision.
• Must be flexible and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish priorities according to workload, to plan and be able to deliver on deadlines.
• Must be person of dignity, trustworthy, and highly confidential in professional manner.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel as needed