Grants and Finance Officer at Search For Common Ground’s International

Duration: 6 months

About the Project
Search for Common Ground is implementing the ‘Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria’ project which is funded by the EU to ensure the practical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in three northern states of Nigeria, and to document its benefits to the management, mitigation and resolution of conflict on a demonstrable basis. The project will focus on 3 main objectives:

• Strengthening women’s role in conflict prevention, peace-making and peace building;
• Mitigating the impact of conflict upon women and girls (including Gender-Based Violence);
• Create a conducive environment for the implementation of Resolution 1325 and monitoring of gender equality commitments in Nigeria.

Job Description

• Professional, motivated, and creative Grants and Finance Officer will provide support to the overall financial and grants management components of the 6-month long EU-funded WPS project.
• The position holder will also provide admin, logistics and procurement support where necessary.
• These positions are based in Adamawa State, Plateau State or Gombe state with frequent field visits within and outside the State.
• The position holder will work under the direct supervision of the Sub-grants and Compliance Coordinator with dotted lines of reporting to the State project coordinator and work closely with the project team.

Roles and Responsibilities
Finance Administration:

• Support the Sub-grant and compliance Coordinator in effective financial management of the project.
• Contribute to the analysis of financial information and preparation of internal and donor’s reports ensuring they are accurate, complete and timely.
• Ensure compliance with SFCG and donor accounting requirements.
• Undertake regular reconciliation and other expenditure and income, according to agreed timeframes and standards.
• Collaborate with SFCG finance teams in order to fulfill payments and other project expenditure.
• Ensure that all expenditure is charged to the correct budget line.
• Liaise with the Sub-grant and compliance coordinator to ensure smooth and proper coordination related to regular payments and purchases
• Ensure overall financial compliance and management across the consortium
• Follow up with consortium partners for financial tracking and spending rate
• Conduct internal verification within the consortium to ensure costs eligibility and compliance
• Maintain regular communication and provide support to finance teams of consortium’s partners

Grant Management:

• Manage transactions effectively and efficiently to ensure quality reporting.
• Carries out tasks in support of assigned activities, such as photocopying, processing paperwork, and organizing meetings.
• Review and monitor budget performance by analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Maintains a transparent and auditable filing system for grants paperwork
• Serves as primary contact for local partners and subcontractors on administrative items. Ensures inquiries and needs are promptly addressed to develop and continue positive relationships between SFCG and partners.
• Maintains a tracker of all subcontracts and other activities under grants.
• Work closely with the program department in grants implementation, coordination and management.
• Support the reporting process by ensuring all documents supporting transactions are collated, reviewed and reconciled before submission to the Finance unit for upload to the system.
• Ensure that monthly subcontractors progress reports are submitted on time; that reports are coherent and accurate (monthly, quarterly, interim or final reports).

Admin, Logistics and Procurement:

• Provide logistical support for meetings and conferences on-site and off-site
• Prepare travel arrangements, relevant documentation (tickets, visas etc.) and any necessary travel materials (Meeting confirmations, background or reference confirmations)
• Handle all logistics of workshops, events, meetings, such as liaising with hotels for meetings, conferences and making reservations for planned activities and staff during visits
• Prepare and submit a monthly logistics report about the above to the Subgrant and Compliance Coordinator.
• Assist State program officer in preparing program progress reports and documenting program success;
• Coordinate procurement process of goods and services, ensure necessary documentation
• Maintain and update vendor’s database for necessary goods and services
• Monitor quality and control cost on various office supplies, stationery, hotel accommodation, transportation and other equipment
• On behalf of SFCG (at the state level) negotiates with vendors, contractors etc. for needed items while ensuring best value for money in such transactions.
• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting & Finance. An ICAN Certification plus Master’s Degree in Accounting would be an added advantage.
• Minimum of three years of related work experience.
• Strong knowledge of compliance regulations for the European Union.
• Experience with budgeting, grants management and reporting to international donors.
• Capacity to negotiate with partners and to make decisions affecting those partnerships.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively to work with a diverse team, with attention to mentorship and professional development of staff.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills and be able to establish and maintain good relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Advanced skills in MS Office.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to-detail.
• Should be a resident of Abuja