Finance Manager at Creative Associates International

Jobv Ref: FINAN01742
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time

Project Description

• The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Activity is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria, while promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade.
• The Activity comprises of three main components: (i) design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships; (ii) administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives.
• The Trade Hub will contribute to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Position Summary

• The Finance Manager will assist the Director, Finance in developing and managing the project’s financial systems.
• S/he will work under the supervision of the Director, Finance and will support them in all matters related to financial management, financial reporting, and subcontracting.
• S/he will also assist Director Finance in ensuring sufficient funds are available for effective and efficient implementation of project activities and support programs.
• Specific areas of responsibility include financial report preparation, review and submission to headquarters and cash flow management.

Primary Responsibilities
Financial Management:

• Supervise and ensure day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions are performed in compliance with internal and client’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure funds’ availability and verify that all procurement and Grants-Under-Contract actions are compliant with internal and client’s financial management guidelines;
• Ensure that all accounting data is updated, reconciled and fully supported with backup documents;
• Ensure timely processing of staff payroll, allowances and other reimbursements;
• Oversee financial and administrative functions of the execution of grants to all local IPs; and
• Monitor program and operational forecasting, establish and maintain cash controls to ensure supply of adequate funds.

Staff Management:

• Lead a team of finance professionals responsible for accounting and financial management;
• Develop staff by encouraging individuals to be self-motivated and take responsibility for their contributions to the finance team; and
• Conduct timely performance reviews and provide performance feedback/training to the staff.

Financial Reporting:

• Manage the finance department to meet financial reporting requirements, ensuring that all financial reports are submitted on or before deadline;
• Produce segregated finance records at the request of Director, Finance such as expenses for specific locations or grants;
• Ensure accurate and smooth month and year-end closing and reporting within agreed schedules; and
• Provide financial status of project expenses and budget information when required by Director, Finance.

Budgeting:

• Assist in preparation of budgets, monitor, review and revise as required in consultation with the Director, Finance; and
• Prepare Budget vs. Actual analysis and report variances to Director, Finance.

Internal Controls and Compliance:

• Ensure proper controls are maintained within Finance department, supervise finance staff; segregate their duties to ensure proper internal controls;
• Ensure compliance with local laws, particularly on withholding taxes;
• Ensure timely deposit of withholding taxes and reporting to Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS);
• Alert potential non-compliance financial issues to the attention of Director, Finance;
• Coordinate with Program and Grant Teams to establish proper controls for grants management;
• Establish procedures and forms for requesting and issuance of advances for program needs; and
• Ensure and routinely test for maintenance of audit-ready documentation.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• A Master's Degree or its equivalent with five (5) years of work experience or a Bachelor's Degree with seven (7) years' relevant experience;
• Experience with computerized accounting;
• Familiarity with all Microsoft Office applications;
• Proficiency in English reading, writing and speaking
• Experience with U.S. government (USAID preferred) administrative compliance preferred;
• Exposure working with international operations;
• Ability to work with and achieve results with a diverse group of personnel located in many countries; and
• Strong organizational and managerial skills.