Award Management Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

You will oversee all activities that ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and documentation of the Finance Department’s accounting operations and financial reporting (monthly, quarterly, yearly, and as needed) in support of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will help set the standard for the Country Program’s (CP’s) financial stewardship through professional maintenance, utilization, and analysis of all cash resources controlled by the CP.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Grant Management and Budgeting

• Ensure STaR grants management processes are aligned for Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger project teams.
• Monitor grant amendments, update grant files, submit copies of amendment documents to Catholic Relief Services by uploading relevant documents on Gateway, and monitor the grant expiry period.
• Ensure that donor-required reports (including accrual reports) are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates.
• Lead on developing KfW funding Withdrawal Applications according to schedule. 
• Lead project teams on any budget re-alignments and project no-cost extensions.
• Coordinate with CP and Regional finance to ensure that all donor reports generated and analyzed are sent out to donors promptly.
• Coordinate grant closure activities with the respective project/grant accountant and HQ/Regional Finance to ensure that once the grant expires, the closure process is followed up per donor regulations.
• Review and approve liquidation journals, ensuring accurate postings, particularly to designated account codes, and proper sub-recipient accounts are charged.
• Review PPM and GL records for errors and recommend correction when necessary.
• Participate in preparing the budget commensurate with the program implementation plan and advise the Chief of Party on budgetary issues.
• Review sub-recipient budgets and provide comments/recommend approval by the Chief of Party.
• Develop effective budget monitoring tools and implement them for all CRS sub-recipients.
• Actively engage in budget discussions and generate feedback for the senior management team on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings.
• Address the needs and the implementation of training on budgeting and compliance.
• Support Country Program Finance if needed.

Sub-recipient Financial Support

• Ensure that the Project Grant Accountant provides direct technical support in all aspects of finance for sub-recipients.
• Orient accounting and project management staff in relevant and appropriate donor financial management policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure the integrity of donor grant financial reporting and the effective control of financial assets. Regularly monitor and assess sub-recipients' ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions and provide feedback to Finance officers.
• Advice on GAAP and basic accounting records to be maintained with sub-recipients.
• Coordinate the identification of training needs and development of country-specific training curriculum for training of sub-recipients.

Financial Reporting and Auditing

• Lead financial reporting for the STaR project, ensuring that financial information from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger is accurate, timely, and complete.
• Facilitate all internal and external audits for the STaR project.

Required Languages - English language. French is an added advantage.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and web conferencing applications. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Knowledge of local law in the area of taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Accuracy and completeness with a strong eye for detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferably with work experience in an international NGO 
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations is preferred.
• Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.
• Familiarity with German Government (KFW, BMZ, GFFO) financial regulations, policies, and practices; OR experience working at a senior level on a DFID/EU/ECHO-funded grant.
• Knowledge of ERP (Insight) financial accounting package or similar financial management and reporting software

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration with courses in accounting, plus a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA/ICAN or equivalent), is preferred.
• Minimum of five years experience in a position with similar responsibilities, with two years of supervisory experience.