Finance Officer at North East Regional Initiative (NERI)

Position Summary: 

The Finance Officer is responsible for providing effective financial support to the project assuring compliance with internationally recognized finance policies and procedures. The scope of the position includes but is not limited to assisting with entering local transactions in accounting software, running monthly reports, processing travel advances, processing payroll, reviewing expense reports, monitoring receivables and payables, ensuring compliance with Nigerian and international finance regulations, ensuring adequate cash balances to cover project activities and processing wire transfer requests. This position will be based in Abuja.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Finance Officer reports to the Finance Manager in Abuja.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Apply internationally accepted accounting principles and procedures to analysing financial information and prepare accurate and timely financial reports.
• Ensure appropriate accounting control procedures.
• Monitor cash balances, prepare advance account reconciliations and bank reconciliations.
• Review local expense reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with internationally accepted financial practices before reimbursement.
• Coordinate with program and administrative staff to ensure transactions are properly coded.
• Maintain a good system of records.
• Prepare wire transfer requests, if any.
• Coordinate with the bank for information regarding balance account, bank statements, exchange rates, etc.
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure compliance with internationally accepted financial practices and procedures.
• Prepare financial reports, as required.
• Communicate information in a way that demonstrates a basic understanding of development assistance work, project culture, values, and practices.
• Perform other tasks, as assigned. 

Required Skills & Qualifications

• University degree in accounting, finance or related field is required.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in accounting with at least 5 years of general experience is required.
• Proficiency at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. is required.
• Experience with computerized accounting systems is required.
• Strong analytical skills are required.
• Multi-tasking with positive attitude is required.
• Knowledge of payroll and tax issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, sustainable relationships with project staff and bank officials, as well as the development community is required.
• Prior experience with international organizations or international-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Experience working in a conflict environment is a plus.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Fluency in one or more of the local state languages in the North Eastern part of Nigeria is required.