Assistant Finance Controller at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Requisition ID: req9434
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Finance
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Job Description

• The Assistant Finance Controller assists the Deputy Director Finance by managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting unit.
• At the discretion of the Country Director the Assistant Finance Controller will assume some or all of the Controller responsibilities when the DDF is absent.

Specific Responsibilities

• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions of Borno and Yobe States are performed in accordance with IRC and country office policy and procedures.
• The incumbent is also responsible for the consortium and local partners’ financial management.
• The AFC represents the DDF in Maiduguri and sits in all coordination meetings, BVA panel and work very closely with the DDFM & SPCs. Specific responsibilities within each functional area are as follows:

Donor Reports:

• Preparation of draft donor reports for review by the Deputy Director Finance
• Analysis of actual to budget results to identify problems in accounting or compliance
• Identification of procedural or training issues to be addressed to improve the quality of report data.
• Preparation of the creation of detail level budgets in IRC SUN format to ensure required donor reports can be produced form the accounting system

Field Office Training & Support:

• Acting as the primary liaison for the Borno and Yobe office finance staff for policy or procedure questions
• By frequent visits to the deep field offices providing training to finance staff on IRC accounting procedures and requirements, assists the Senior Area Managers and program staff in finance related issues and activities.
• Ensure the review of financial data submitted by Borno and Yobe states offices to identify weaknesses or problems being encountered by Borno and Yobe states finance staff and recommend corrective action.
• In conjunction with the Deputy Director Finance developing or revising policy and procedures and assists in the implementation.

Procurement Accounting:

• The review of and accounting for procurement transactions to ensure adequate supporting documentation, accuracy of amounts and control over payments
• Providing input to Purchase Request approvals to ensure commitments are considered before further purchases approved
• Primary responsibility for liaison with logistics/procurement.

Cash/Bank – Processing:

• Supervision of the processing of bank and cash transactions of Borno and Yobe states
• Ensuring internal control procedures are followed for all cash disbursements, receipts and transfers

Cash Forecasting:

• Ensure preparation of cash forecasts for Borno and Yobe states
• Monitoring cash usage and requirements and advises the Deputy Director Finance of possible unusual activity or requirements
• Working with field and program coordinators to help them develop more accurate cash forecasts

Cost Accounting.

• Providing recommendations for cost allocation systems in accordance with donor regulations
• Assisting in or reviewing physical inventory counts and ensuring proper valuation and accounting for inventory or supply items.

National Payroll:

• Supervise the processing of the national payroll for Borno and Yobe state ensuring standard financial controls are maintained
• Supervise the preparation of the necessary related accounting entries including salary allocations for Borno and Yobe states
• Ensure all statutory deductions are remitted on time to Borno and Yobe state governments

Internal Audit:

• Internal audit activities as required by the Deputy Director Finance
• Reviews of controls and monitoring of compliance with established procedures.
• Preparation of written reports for review by the DDF which identify key issues and provide recommendations for improving control processes or procedures

Budgets:

• Assisting in the preparation and maintenance of the country’s Operating Budget to ensure data is complete and maintained on a timely basis.
• Assisting in the development and preparation of cost allocation processes for overarching costs that comply with donor regulations on allowable costs.
• Working with program staff to prepare grant budgets to support new proposals or realignments to ensure adequate coverage of country operating costs and NY direct and indirect costs.
• Review of actual vs. budget results to ensure maximum utilization of budgeted amounts and to provide recommendations for realignments as required.
• Supervise and review proposal budgets, financial reports prepared by direct reports (or as assigned by DDF through grant allocation)

Consortium and partnership finance management:

• Oversee the consortium and partners financial management
• Ensure budget and budget revisions prepared in accordance with donor and IRC templates
• Ensure consortium and local partners monthly and quarterly forecast are aligned with the approved budget and donor flexibility is respected
• Ensures consortium financial reports are accurate, reviewed by UK office and submitted to the donor on time
• Ensure all feedback from UK and NY are addressed by the consortium finance staffs
• Supervise, lead and train consortium finance team. Provide training to partners on financial management.
• Provide technical support to consortium leadership.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting (CPA or equivalent certification would be preferred).

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience and three (3) years managerial experience.
• Experienced with various PC and financial related software (spreadsheets, accounting packages).
• Working experience within IRC finance in the capacity of Assistant Finance Controller and consortium/partnership financial management is highly preferable
• Must have a proven track record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions.
• Committed to staff capacity building and effective at facilitation.
• Familiarity with DFID rules and regulations is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to function comfortably in a loosely structured but complex work environment, working and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) in English with program staff, management and employees
• Comfortable making decisions.
• Good supervisory, time management and interpersonal skills.