Director of Finance and Operations, Nigeria Country Program at PATH

Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management

• Develop, coordinate, and implement plans for financial management, planning, and analysis as well as operations and administration to ensure efficient, effective delivery of services and in support of compliant project activities.
• Lead assigned teams, mentor and develop employees, providing guidance as necessary.
• Ensure proper staffing and recruitment to enable timely delivery of services; facilitate and cascade goal setting and team assignments in support of country program operations and delivery of programmatic services working closely with Country leadership and regional operations leadership.
• Provide customer service excellence and lead continuous process improvement for efficient and effective service delivery.
• Work closely with Country leadership and Regional operations Director to develop and implement strategies and improvements that lead to operational excellence.

Financial Management, Planning and Analysis

• Accounting: Oversee accounting processes, including expenditures, payroll, tax compliance, travel and disbursements, ensuring timely delivery of service, and compliance with PATH’s policies and local procedures.
• Collaborate with the Country leadership and project teams to develop and compile information for ad hoc and required reports for governments, donor and other stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely reporting for financial performance and statutory purposes.
• Primary point of contact with banks; manage bank relationships to ensure efficient cost-effective delivery of service.
• Ensure adequate sub-award processes, monitoring and management systems are in place and operate for timely issuance, reporting and oversight of sub-awards.
• Annual and Project budgeting: Formulate budgets for the country programs. Ensure Finance and PADM teams adhere to FP&A budgeting timelines and planning and budgeting for local projects and awards is accurate and complete, and all budgets are properly uploaded to Business World (BW).
• Lead the forecasting process and quarterly business review exercises. Periodically update financial forecasts, highlighting any key challenges or opportunities influencing performance to goals.
• Lead PADM teams in ensuring the regular update of all forecasts in BW in and SalesForce. Obtaining necessary insights and providing narratives to the FP&A team.
• Manage Payroll and local payroll taxes, ensuring compliance with local government regulations and with all financial and taxation laws, such as income tax, VAT, withholding tax, and social security.
• Ensure adequate budgetary controls and adherence to these controls to ensure that all expenditure are properly vetted and approved against the right charge codes.
• Provide monthly financial performance reports, advising and implementing corrective actions to ensure actual results are in line with set targets.
• Support Finance Decision-making: Support the FP&A team with finance decision support in the areas to drive optimization, efficiency and agility in our operations and acting as a strategic, trusted advisor to the Country Director.

Administration and Facilities Management:

• Support Operations and Procurement team to develop or review appropriate guidelines and requirements for all offices and ensure that all the necessary facilities are in place and adequate. This includes appropriate and suitable furnishings, office supplies replenishment system, and safety and security for the staff.
• Ensure offices meet the needs of staff (both moveable and immovable assets and outdoor areas where applicable).
• Establish, monitor, and maintain operational activities and functions in accordance with PATH’s policies and compliance with donor requirements.
• Support the management of PATH's physical offices, assets, safety, and security at all PATH locations and ensure the assets register is up to date and accurate in liaison with relevant teams.
• Implement and maintain processes to ensure a safe, healthy, and compliant working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Works with Legal Counsel, OGC and others to develop and execute agreements requiring review, such as teaming agreements, engagement letters, MOUs, and collaboration agreements.
• Work with regional Operations and assess the transport requirements of the country programs regularly and ensure appropriate solutions are implemented including effective fleet management.
• Oversee adherence to PATH’s global travel policies for staff and design, implement, and maintain country - specific travel policies that complement the global policies.
• Manage staff responsible for implementing travel policies and organizing travel; request any necessary approvals for travel.
• Review and secure appropriate liability insurance for all offices and facilities, fleet including assets insurance.
• Ensure the provision of other basic office services, including water, sewage, cleaning, and grounds-keeping in all occupied offices (where required)
• When needed, work with teams in the Hub to facilitate new project office set-up, including office space procurement and establishment, lease negotiation, identification and procurement of furniture and fittings, branding, etc.
• Work with project teams and regional operations to facilitate project closure, including proper disposal or relocation of assets, shut down, and exit of office space.
• Review and update a consolidated inventory record (Asset Register) of equipment, furniture and disposal thereof on quarterly basis ensuring inventory count is done annually.
• Ensure Routine maintenance of the office and coordinate with the landlord for major maintenance.

Procurement & Contracts Management:

• Oversee purchasing function, ensuring segregation of duty, adequate competition, and cost-effective vendor selections in support of country operations, providing strategic leadership and support for efficient and effective procurement.
• Ensure agile, efficient, and value-for-money centric procurement support that drives impactful programme delivery.
• Provide timely and appropriate guidance on procurement policy, strategy, and implementation across the projects
• Increase efficiency by developing processes, procedures, and best practices to effectively support the programs and operations across all offices; create performance metrics and accountability.
• Lead tender and prequalification processes working closely with the Global Procurement team and regional Operations.
• Ensure that close-out schedules for all agreements are duly executed promptly and that all relevant documents are submitted and filed.
• Support the establishment of a Procurement Review Committees and ensure the same operates seamlessly.
• Take lead in ensuring that all procurement files and records are updated and maintained by country procurement teams.
• Coordinate the collection of annual procurement plans from RPMs and consolidate them into Country plan.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
• Collaborate, negotiate, and engage with major suppliers and contractors to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services.
• Participate in due diligence process for vendors working closely with Global Procurement officer.
• Oversee the procurement departments provide the necessary administrative support for shipments of assets, and facilitate exemptions, including tax, where viable.
• Working closely with the project leads and the supply chain lead, ensure all project supplies are ready for distribution as per the agreed delivery dates.
• Review country specific procurement policies and thresholds.
• Ensure all staff are trained on procurement processes if necessary

Risk Management:

• Internal Controls, Audits & Tax Compliance: Work closely with the regional operations director to develop and oversee local procedures and internal control compliance with PATH policies.
• Coordinate statutory audits and filing of annual returns to the relevant government authorities working closely with Global Accounting Team and regional operations.
• Work with Regional Operations and oversee all audits, ensuring timely engagement of audit and tax services in partnership with relevant internal stakeholders and full execution of internal audit findings and recommendations.
• Support the Country leadership and regional Operations Director in providing governance and management necessary to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor the CP operational risks.
• Works closely with Legal Affair (LA), IAS and regional operations to ensure compliance with registrations, licensing, and government statutory requirements including filing of annual returns where applicable.
• Review and update the PATH Security Management Plans for the country regularly in accordance with the PATH schedule and adhered to by all staff.
• Ensure the organization’s risk management policies and strategies are compliant with set standards, and strategic imperatives.
• Ensure adequate insurance policy covers are in place, implement health and safety measures, and make business continuity plans to limit risks and prepare mitigation measures.
• Participate in and oversee the reviews and assess risk management policies, suggesting improvement.
• Ensure risk mitigation controls are implemented and operating effectively in landscapes and throughout the organization.
• Contribute to the Hub expansion and new country registration efforts.
• Review audit recommendations and ensure the corrective actions agreed are implemented. Update SMT, Finance colleagues and Managers on recurring findings.

Reporting and External Relations:

• Support the Country Representatives and project Managers in compiling information for required reports and the production of reports for government and donor stakeholders.
• With support from Donor Reporting Team and other Headquarters staff, lead the development and submission of donor-required financial reports.
• Respond to ad hoc requests from donors as necessary.
• Reporting – develop and manage a Deliverables Tracker.
• Exchange knowledge & network with Finance Staff of International Organizations to understand the economic, social and political environment of the country.

Sub-Awards Administration/Management:

• Manage consultants’ agreements, work orders and in-country sub-agreements and sub-contracts where necessary
• Work with OGC and oversee the development and implementation of sub-grants and other agreements.
• Support project teams on grantees developing work plans, monitoring progress, tracking expenses, preparing reports, and facilitating grantees’ compliance with the terms of their agreements.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Education: BSC/BA in accounting, finance or relevant field; MSc/MA/MBA, CPA/ACCA /CIMA professional certification is essential.
• Work Experience: 10+ years managing or leading financial and operation teams at country level.
• Leadership: Proven leadership skills with an ability to provide guidance and support.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Ability to collaborate effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Financial Acumen: In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles, solid knowledge of financial analysis and forecasting. An analytic mind with strategic ability.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.
• Ability to persuade and influence different types of audiences
• Software Proficiency: Strong proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and advanced ERP accounting systems. Knowledge of Unit4 Business World and Salesforce a plus.
• NGO Experience: Prior experience in an NGO or similar environment is very advantageous.
• Donor Knowledge: Familiarity with international donor project management and compliance is a plus.
• Languages: English- mandatory, French preferred.

Leadership competencies

• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Plans & Aligns (Prioritization): Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational needs.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability (Agile and flexible): Adapting approach in real-time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said even when it is not popular.