Finance and Accounts Officer at GIZ Nigeria

Digital entrepreneurship is the driver of digital change in Africa and especially in Nigeria.  Entrepreneurs have the potential to modernize the economies and societies of their countries, to find innovative solutions to development problems, to create new perspectives and employment opportunities. The aim of the project ‘Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’ is to improve the capacities of the innovation ecosystem for the growth of the digital economy in the following areas - policy implementation, performance improvement of organisations and networks service providers of the digital economy and scalable digital solutions.

The project will focus on the following outputs:

Output 1: Improve cooperation between political actors with those from the private sector, science and research and civil society that are relevant to the innovation ecosystem.

Output 2: Improve collaboration among Nigerian hubs through the fostering and facilitation of synergies that could promote a focused network of ADIHs and thus offer improved services to MSMEs, which will in turn enable them to benefit from digital innovations.

Output 3: Improve existing digital solutions. Through the support of research institutions and pan-African networks, start-ups and innovative MSMEs further develop their digital solutions.

Output 4: Increase women’s skills in using digital solutions and access to resources for economic activities

A.   Responsibilities:

The Finance and Accounts Officer provides support in:

• Maintain financial and management procedures for the project,
• Provide robust and effective financial and accounting system for the  project,
• Financial Planning and Budgeting of Project activities,
• Monitoring of credit letters of the project,
• Management of the Bank account of the project,
• Ensuring financial transactions (purchase of consumables, goods and  services) and accounting activities of the program, including end of   the month account, in accordance with GIZ standards and procedures,
• Checking the consumption of project cars' fuel/diesel and generators'  diesel,
• Identifying and regular update of the program inventory,
• Ensuring contract management in accordance with GIZ standards   procedures
• Identifying relevant problems / issues, assisting in formulating  implementation-oriented   solutions   and   dealing with all questions arising in the area of accounting and financial management,
• Application of GIZ operational policies (PuR) and other legislative and  regulatory requirements pertaining to project implementation and  management.

B. Tasks

1. Operations

The Finance and Accounts Officer

• Works closely with the Project Manager and team to develop budgets  to develop sound operational work plans and implementation plans in  line with the project indicators and result areas,
• Ensures compliance with all financial and recordkeeping requirements   of GIZ and other legislative and regulatory requirements with respect   to contracts, applicable taxes etc,
• Evaluates financial risks associated with operational activities and   take appropriate action to avoid such risks and ensure accountability  and effective implementation,

2. Effective and accurate financial resource and efficient procurement management

The Finance and Accounts Officer

• Develops project accounting methodologies for monitoring and  reporting costs, commitments and value of work done and  implements internal control recommendations effectively,
• Ensures proper budget planning and expenditure tracking of financial  resources and monitoring of financial delivery against work plans and preparation of relevant periodic reports,
• Ensures the smooth implementation of project accounting activities, including (but not limited to): timely and accurate bank reconciliations, invoicing, monitoring of expenditure levels against budget and funding             obligations,
• Ensure proper management of assets and timely handover where  required,
• Coach and support Technical Advisors in monitoring administration and financial process related to activity implementation
• Assume other tasks on instruction from the Team Leader.

C. Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

• Minimum of University degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field. Master’s degree in finance or Accounting is an added advantage. 
• A professional qualification will be an added advantage (ACCA, ICAN etc)

Professional experience

• Minimum of five (5) years progressive work experience in Finance or  Accounting or related profession
• Expertise in procurement of goods and services is of specific importance
• Experience with grants and subsidies
• Experience with GIZ procedures and regulations or with other international organizations is an asset
• Proven experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams is an asset;
• Skills, competencies and other knowledge
• Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems, managing files  and records, and other office procedures
• A thorough understanding of generally accepted Accounting Principles & Practices and Financial Analysis & Management Standard office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of relevant accounting packages
• Very good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software,  phone, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, Outlook)
• Detail oriented and ability to work under minimal supervision and to  show initiative and resourcefulness
• Ability to contribute to complex technical assistance programs/projects   and communicate with external partners and stakeholders
• Good decision making and problem-solving skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Good written and oral communication
• Good interpersonal skills and experience in working within a  multicultural team
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Ability to persist even in the face of challenges and obstacles
• English language proficiency (written and oral) is important for this  position. German knowledge is of added value
• Confidential handling of data and information.