Director of Finance and Administration at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

• The Director of Finance and Administration will oversee operations in support of the IFES Nigeria SEAT program.
• The responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to logistics, procurement, sub-contracts or sub-awards, and ensuring sound financial/accounting management practices.
• This individual also oversees internal control measures, conducts internal financial audits, and coordinates external financial audits.
• The Director prepares budgets for annual work plans and financial reports for headquarters. This individual also develops the financial management capacity of all relevant staff and subrecipients.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership to finance and operations aspects of the project, including general administrative processes, financial management, sub award management, accounting, and logistics;
• Establish and maintain sound and transparent accounting and fiscal control procedures for financial, sub award and operations aspects of project;
• Ensure compliance of financial and operations systems with IFES policies and procedures, USAID rules and regulation, award requirements, and Government of Nigeria;
• Develop, analyze and monitor program budgets and monitor and track obligations and expenditures against budgets;
• Manage project procurement processes;
• Advise Country Director and Deputy Country Director regularly on financial and operations-related matters;
• Provide technical assistance, as needed, to local partners on financial compliance and reporting;
• Liaise with internal and external auditors in the review of project financial management;
• Supervise other project-based administrative, finance, and procurement, staff; and
• Other duties, as assigned.

SKILLS and SPECIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with USAID and other donor rules and regulations is required.
• Knowledge in generally accepted accounting, budgeting, and fiscal control principles;
• Demonstrated experience and skills in developing and managing large budgets;
• Relevant skills in automated accounting software systems such as QuickBooks and database spreadsheets;
• Experience building capacity in financial management of community-based organizations and implementing partners;
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with NGO partners, community-based organizations, and international donor agencies;
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, depth, and breadth of financial management expertise;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience establishing and maintaining good relationships with a wide variety of professionals and organizations;
• Ability to remain highly organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines;
• Ability to complete tasks with limited supervision;
• Business awareness and numerical ability;
• Must possess solid communication and presentation skills;
• Willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality;
• Must value operating in a collaborative and cooperative environment;
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness;
• Conduct himself/herself with integrity and function ethically; and
• Ability to manage staff and work with senior management.

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field. However, a bachelor's degree and five (5) additional years of relevant international business management, finance, accounting and/or contracting experience can be substituted for the master's degree.
• An ACA/ACCA/CPA or other recognized professional accounting qualification preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, finance, or business management, including at least three (3) years of post-qualification experience as an auditor with a recognized public or private firm or as a finance manager with a reputable private business, civil society organization or donor agency.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage large budgets, and in-depth knowledge of USG Cost Accounting Standards.
• Experience working on USG-funded programs is required. Applicants must have knowledge of USAID award regulations 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 700.
• Progressively responsible experience supervising project operations, including human resources, procurement, and sub-contracts or sub-awards.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and English oral and written communication skills; demonstrated supervisory skills; and ability to work well on a team.
• Proficiency in Word, Power point, Outlook and Excel.
• Relevant computer software skills and familiarity with accounting