Finance Analyst at Save The Children

Job ID: 190000FE
Location: Abuja
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Reports to: Senior Finance Manager
Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Role Purpose

• This is a Finance Analyst position which is within the Country Office finance department. The post holder will be responsible for assisting in providing timely and accurate financial data/information for decision making, reviewing and development of budgets for active awards, phasing of budgets and forecasting, preparing and reviewing budgets and donor financial reports for accuracy, reviewing and posting of financial transactions, reviewing monthly financial performance against budgets for selected Awards, support program team and budget holders, and other financial supports that may be delegated.
• This position will be responsible for providing financial support functions required in Country Office. Using strong interpersonal/communication skills and excellent analytical skills, the incumbent will develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues/user departments and other business functions with a strong focus on customer service.

Key Areas Of Accountability
Key Accountabilities:

• The post holder is expected among other duties to manage the financials for projects/awards, assigned by the line manager or the Finance Director
• Analyses financial performance by collecting, monitoring, and studying data and recommending possible actions.
• Provide management reporting that is timely, complete and accurate.
• Ensure complete, accurate and quality budget data exist for management decision making.
• Ensuring transactions are in compliance with SCI and specific donor requirements.

Budgeting and Award Management:

• Act as finance focal point providing oversight for designated award budgets in the country office.
• Ensure that all financial transactions included in the reports under the management of this role are in line with SCI and donor requirements
• Support budget holders in preparation of annual budgets and budget monitoring reports
• Prepare quality and timely donor financial reports that meets SCI and donor requirements
• Support the Senior Finance Manager preparation of annual country master budget; provide costing inputs and ensure that all assigned awards budget are phased and the accurate/updated information for the awards are loaded/posted in the SCI financial management system
• Recommends actions by analyzing and interpreting data and making comparative analyses; studying proposed changes in methods/materials and providing accurate/timely information to management
• With respect to the assigned awards, improves financial status by analyzing results; monitoring variances; identifying trends; recommending actions to management.
• Assists with monthly close process; reviewing transaction listing/making recharges before month end to ensure appropriate coding and correction within the month of transaction.
• Perform regular foreign exchange (FX) analysis on awards to assess the impact on budget performance, identify possible effects arising from foreign exchange and communicate same to budget holders and management
• Maintain and update award budgets on SCI financial management system
• Identifies financial status by comparing and analysing actual results with forecasts and budgets, Coordinate and attend monthly BVA meetings,  monthly/quarterly Awards review sessions, and support monthly budget phasing; track agreed action points and recommendation to ensure corrections are done
• Uploading SOF budgets into FMS and support Budget Holders to ensure that phasing and coding are accurate.
• Perform budget realignments, revision and rephrasing were required
• Promptly respond and resolve  queries on Donor financial reports from donor/member staff

Financial Managements:

• Reviewing and posting of financial transactions on SCI financial management system.
• Perform partner account reconciliations: In case of partner’s involvement, Finance to ensure that the financial capacity assessment of the partner in question has been completed prior to a sub-award being granted
• Ensure DEA (Donor Expenditure Analysis) codes are created in Agresso within 30 days of Fund Summary activation
• Make necessary adjustment and recharges requested by Budget Holders
• Attend procurement meeting as member of procurement committee and review relevant documents within the authorization limit of this position
• Assist in preparing CAM estimates for budgets: Analyse actual CAM costs on current award
• Attend Kick off meeting to support and advise on coding structure/s, SCI/Donor reporting

Others:

• Support  in Pre-award assessments and Due diligence checks
• May require visit to field offices
• Acts or provide cover for other positions
• Any other roles/duties that may be assigned

Skills And Behaviours (Our Values In Practice)
Accountability:

• Accuracy and timeliness in all areas of responsibility
• High level of accuracy in work, and ability to analyse complex sets of relationships and situations
• Holds self and others accountable

Ambition:

• Future-orientated, thinks pro-actively
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for himself and the team, takes responsibility for his own personal development and encourages team members to do the same

Collaboration:

• Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Designing more effective admin systems
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honesty, encourages openness and transparency, demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Skills & Experience
Administrative & General Skills

Essential Criteria

• Level of Education – B.Sc /HND in Accounting/Finance or equivalent area of study with good progress towards professional certification
• Professional ICAN, ACCA or similar Accounting certification will be an added advantage
• 4 years’ experience working  with NGO or other organized private sector
• Level of IT Expertise: Advance Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and financial analysis
• Specified Study Area – Finance / Accounts
• Proven experience in strategic costing/budgeting modelling.
• Excellent experience of computerized accounts packages and in particular of complex excel spreadsheets, Power Point and Words.
• Proven ability to multitask between multiple budgets with efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to analyse financial data and prepare financial reports
• Paying attention to detail and ensuring data accuracy
• Proven experience in leading in the development of budgets for international donors and other bilateral, foundations and/or corporations with a knowledge of their rules and regulations
• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship with a very good team spirit.
• Language Requirements: Spoken English-Excellent; Written English-Excellent

Desirable Criteria:

• Ability to multi-task, engage in long-term planning, meet deadlines, and handles last-minute demands; exercise patience, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to be creative and proactive in service delivery essential.