State Finance Officer (SFO) at Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Job Type: Contract (1 year)
Office: State Project Coordination

Main responsibilities

• The State Finance Officer is responsible for supporting the State Project Account (SPAC) in the effective discharge of his/her functions.

Specific Duties

• Master IFAD key documents such as, the disbursement handbook, procurement guidelines and handbook, IEAD guidelines for project audits, the Financing Agreement (FA) and the Letter to the Borrower (LTB) as well as the Project Financial Procedures Manual.
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of annual operational budgets at the state level.
• Assist the SPAC in the implementation of a sound financial management system.
• Assist the SPAC in preparing financial reports, including monthly funds reconciliation, and monthly expenditure statements.
• Responsible for collecting/issuing receipts, preparing Payment Vouchers and maintaining the cash records in accordance with laid down procedures.
• Assist the SPAC to prepare transaction vouchers, and input all transactions into the project accounting system before submission to the SPAC for approval.
• Assist the SPAC to process all payments, ensuring that SPCO procedures are strictly adhered to.
• Assist the SPAC to process monthly payroll, payment of salaries to staff and project contributions.
• Assist the SPAC to prepare payment requests submitted to the SPCo.
• Assist the SPAC in preparing cash flow forecasts as required.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring financial returns from implementing partners, including periodic visits to their offices.
• Collate data received from colleagues into the system.
• Manage a well-organized and up-to-date filing system for accounting and financial records.
• Provide assistance to the internal and external auditors as required.. Perform secretarial duties, including maintenance of a well- organized filing system.
• Collect and review financial reports from PFMUs.
• Ensure invoices submitted for payment at the State level are promptly attended to. . Ensure Petty Cash disbursements are appropriately and adequately documented.
• Write cheques. Update the Cheque Issued Register.
• Undertake any other activities assigned by the SPAC or the SPCO management.

Reporting and Location

• The position will be in the SPCO housed in the State ADP. The SFO will report directly to the SPAC.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 8 years’ post-professional experience, at least 6 of which must be in management.
• A professional qualification (FCA, ACA, FCNA, CNA) with at least 10 years of post qualification experience, at least 6 of which must be in management.
• A minimum of 6 years’ experience in management team of lEAD- assisted or donor funded projects.
• Good interpersonal relationship, transparently honest, team worker and possess ability to train counterparts; and must be healthy and fit to undertake extensive filed visits.
• Member of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, with strong working knowledge of both national and international accounting procedures.
• Strong computer skills, spreadsheets, and other relevant accounting packages.
• Working knowledge of banking and financial control procedures.
• Excellent written and spoken English.