Finance Officer at Oxfam

Location(s): Pulka(1) Gwoza (1) Both positions in Borno State
Department: Humanitarian
Job Family: Finance
Reports To: Program Manager, matrix managed by Humanitarian Finance Manager
Band: D National
Duration: 6 months contract with possibility of extension

Team Purpose

• To provide a proactive, efficient and effective financial management service to the Oxfam Humanitarian Programme in Nigeria, to ensure financial procedures are working efficiently and effectively and that they are being adhered to, and to provide strong financial monitoring and oversight to Oxfam partners

Job Purpose

• To implement and monitor all financial aspects of the Pulka/Gwoza programme, including the management of financial risks.
• To ensure that financial procedures are adhered to and non compliance challenged.
• To provide financial information and monitoring to programme staff.
• To work closely with the Country Finance Teams to provide quality financial information, process payments and maintain comprehensive accounting records.

Dimensions:

• Handling (finance related) queries regarding Donors
• Interpretation of financial information, advice to NE Co-ordinator, Humanitarian Programme Manager, Finance Manager, and coordinators
• Analysing reports for programme staff and providing guidance
• Flexibility to anticipate and resolve challenges
• Manages and contributes to project work
• Influences staff to adopt procedures
• 100% focus on the Oxfam Pulka and Gwoza programme

Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Payables:

• Ensure supporting documentation for payments is complete and correct (e.g. authorised and coded by budget holder) in accordance with Oxfam financial procedures
• Prepare payments for authorisation by account signatories (including payroll). Ensure relevant statutory deductions are made, and transactions recorded accurately on Pastel
• Maintain a register of supplier invoices received and any sent to Abuja for authorisation/payment
• Reconcile supplier accounts to supplier statements and follow up with supplier on any discrepancies (e.g. missing invoices)
• Support the Humanitarian team by ensuring payments in the field are anticipated, made in a timely manner and with safety in mind
• Ensure payments are made in accordance with the delegation of authority limits

Receivables:

• Ensure that all receipts are properly documented, e.g. by an invoice or receipt

Bank Reconciliation:

• Reconcile project’s bank accounts in SAP on a monthly basis, and Naira values in the nominal ledger.

Managing Bank and Cash Balances:
a) Proactively monitor balance on bank account to:

• Ensure that balances are sufficient to cover anticipated payments
• Identify receipts or payments that may require further investigation

b) Manage Humanitarian Office bank and cash accounts:

• Maintain spreadsheets to summarise receipts, payments and balances
• Ensure fully authorised payments and receipts are recorded in the finance system (SAP) on a weekly basis and all transactions for the month recorded by month end
• Revalue and reconcile project amounts in the finance system (SAP) if applicable
• Monitor and chase outstanding floats
• Ensure cash counts undertaken weekly, monthly, and whenever responsibility is handed to another person

Financial Administration:

• Act as point of contact for day-to-day matters with financial service providers, and ensure that bank signatories are up to date
• Oversee filing systems, both electronic and hard copy (payables, receivables, payments, receipts, cash payments etc).

Others:

• Performance manage the Finance Assistant(s)
• Support audits
• Support the implementation of the One Oxfam Logistics Tool and all logistics procedures
• Provide support and advice to Humanitarian Staff on various matters including:
  • Completion of finance related forms (expense claims, float accounts)
  • Locating documentation supporting particular payments, receipts and re-charges made to budget holders
  • Coding of financial transactions

Skills and Competences

• A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or any relevant equivalent is required; Master’s desired
• ICAN or ACCA qualification will be an added advantage
• 3 -5 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant professional experience, such as finance, accounting, grants management - ideally with at least 2 years in International NGO
• Ability to understand and implement the government tax & VAT laws
• Proven knowledge of computerised systems and demonstrable experience of working with computerized accounting packages and spreadsheets
• Proactive, flexible, and able to respond to a variety of questions relating to the job
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Manages own time under guidance and direction from supervisor and meet the deadlines
• Strong analytical and planning skills
• Strong understanding of Gender and Diversity
• A strong commitment to Oxfam’s purpose, a broad understanding of the work culture in the “humanitarian” sector and its impact on key areas of responsibility and a commitment to humanitarian principles and action