Awards Management Officer (Grants Manager) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Reference: 210000FP

Job Summary

• As Award Management Officer, you will be responsible for the overall financial management of the STaR project.
• You will oversee the effective and appropriate use of financial resources of the project and will develop effective mechanisms for budgeting, expenditure and liquidation tracking, and financial reporting, for the prime partner and any sub-awardees.
• You will oversee financial management and reporting on STaR project for Nigeria, Chad and Niger.
• You will ensure that project financial management processes for the project follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor (KFW) rules and regulations, and country legal requirements, and that all required project financial reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Grant Management and Budgeting:

• Ensure STaR grants management processes are aligned for Nigeria, Chad and Niger
• Monitor grant amendments, update grant files, submit copy of amendment documents to Catholic Relief Services by uploading relevant documents on gateway and monitor grant expiry period.
• Ensure that donor required reports (including accrual reports) are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates.
• Coordinate with HQ finance to ensure that donor reports that are generated by HQ finance are sent out to donor in a timely manner.
• Coordinate grant closure activities with the respective project/grant manager and HQ/Finance to ensure that expired grants are fully closed out as per donor regulations
• Review and approve liquidation journals ensuring accurate postings particularly to designated account codes, and that proper sub-recipient accounts (T-codes) are charged
• Review posted journals for errors and recommend correction when necessary
• Participate in the preparation of the budget commensurate with the program implementation plan and provide advice to 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 senior management team on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings
• Address the needs and the implementation of trainings on budgeting and compliance.

Sub-recipient Financial Support:

• Ensure that the Finance and Compliance Staff provide direct technical support in all aspects of finance for sub-recipient
• Orient accounting and project management staff in relevant and appropriate Donors financial management policies, procedures, and standards
• Ensure integrity of Donor grants financial reporting and the effective control of financial assets. Regularly monitor and assess sub-recipient 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 at Sub-recipient
• 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, Niger, Cameroon and Chad is accurate, timely and complete
• Facilitate all internal and external audits for the STaR project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field plus a qualification in accounting (ACA/ACCA or equivalent)
• At least 8 years' experience in financial management for large, complex projects, of which at least four years were working in the field of international development;
• Extensive financial and grant management experience working with non-governmental organization sub-recipients and other sub-grantees
• 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;
• Sound Knowledge of accounting package or enterprise financial management and reporting software;
• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English; and
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally, as required.

Required Languages:

• English Language is required while French is an added advantage

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

• Dotted line supervision of Nigeria Grants Specialist, Niger Accountant, Cameroon Accountant and Chad Admin and Finance Officer

Key Working Relationships:
Internal:

• Chief of Party, Emergency Coordinator, MEAL Manager, Head of Finance and Grants (Nigeria)

External:

• Local partners

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.