Finance and Administration Officer (FAO) at United Purpose (UP)

The FAO will be responsible for the implementation of general finance, Logistics and Administration functions for the RWE project. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager of the RWE to achieve the operational objectives and goals of the Scaling Rural Women Entrepreneurs for Community-Led Digital Adaptation & Resilience in Africa (RWE) Project. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the day to day running and managing of SHA/UP asset in Makurdi field office. S/he will directly manage the drivers assigned to the project.

Key Responsibilities:

Finance Function

• Responsible for providing  financial guidelines to the project team, ensuring that SHA/UP as well as donor financial procedures are being followed.
• Review all the financial submissions from project team ensuring that they are in line with budget and project objectives; travel advances, out-of-pocket expenditure claims, mileage claims, and retirements.
• Obtain authorisation for financial submissions, upload all payment requests on the electronic platform, and enter all payment information into the ledger.
• Conduct first level of review of project activity budget to ensure that they are in line with project objects and available budget.
• Ensure that transactions are fully supported, approved, properly filed and that the operations conform to the requirements of the RWE as per the project proposal document.
• Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are completed in a timely basis and that the final reconciliation is reviewed and submitted to the Finance and Compliance Manager.
• Manage the finance activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by donors and SHA/UP.
• Work closely with the SHA/UP HQ finance team in the organization and completion of external audits and implement actions necessary to correct internal control weaknesses.
• Support the Finance and  Compliance Manager to improve existing financial systems line with best practice.
• Assist with any other project finance-related work as may be required for the effective running of the Makurdi field office.

Administrative/ Logistics Functions

• Support project administration whenever requested by project team and day to day running of the Benue State Field Office.
• Oversee and support the Benue State Driver in conducting his duties.
• Ensure that SHA/UP complies with Benue State Internal Revenue obligations, making sure that PAYE tax are remitted in a timely manner. 
• Any other task, which may be assigned from time to time by the Project Manager and or RWE.
• Maintain updated records of office and project assets.
• Support the procurement of project and office materials.

Key Relationships: Internal and External

Knowledge, Experience & other Requirements:

Education and other qualifications:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related degree. An accounting qualification will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles and techniques.
• Minimum of five years’ experience.
• Demonstratable proficiency in accounting system software and expertise in Microsoft Excel and Report writing.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to working a multicultural, diverse, and performance-related environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction, handle large amounts of data, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and effectively with civil society organisations, donors, project staff, and other beneficiaries.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in Finance and Administration
• Experience with rules and regulations for non-profit organizations.
• Good technical accounting skills. Experience in financial planning, bookkeeping practice and principle, knowledge of internal controls, general ledger, cash management and reconciliations, payroll processing and taxation. Solid knowledge and understanding of community-based approaches to development.
• Knowledge and understanding of project monitoring and evaluation, including data management tools
• Must be a good team player, honest, dependable and willing to be flexible with work hours
• Experience in working with culturally diverse teams.

Skills:

• Excellent planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills.
• Strong facilitation, Community implementation and interpersonal skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills- listening, presenting, discussing, reporting, putting views forward and negotiating with confidence.
• Adaptable and responsive disposition relative to the demands and operations of the project.

Language Requirements:

• Written and oral proficiency in English and relevant local language is a plus.