Finance and Compliance Officer at Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA INITIATIVE)

Purpose of the Position

• To strengthen financial accountability, ensure donor and statutory compliance, and support effective financial management across all programs.
• In addition, the Finance and Compliance Officer will support proposal and concept note development, donor engagement, and program budgeting to improve funding opportunities and program sustainability.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Management and Accounting:

• Maintain accurate and complete financial records using accrual accounting in line with NGO standards.
• Record, classify, and reconcile all financial transactions in QuickBooks, Zoho Books, or similar systems.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and ensure discrepancies are resolved.
• Support preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

Budget Management and Cost Control:

• Support development, review, and monitoring of project and operational budgets.
• Track expenditures against approved budgets and ensure proper allocation across projects.
• Identify budget variances and support corrective actions with program teams.

Donor Compliance and Financial Reporting:

• Ensure financial compliance with donor rules and regulations (UN agencies, ECW, bilateral donors, foundations).
• Prepare donor-compliant financial reports on time.
• Maintain donor financial documentation in line with audit requirements.
• Support grant financial close-out processes and reconciliations.

Proposal and Concept Note Support:

• Provide financial and compliance inputs for proposals, concept notes, and funding applications.
• Assist in developing costed project budgets and financial narratives for donor submissions.
• Collaborate with program and MEAL teams to ensure realistic and compliant project costing.
• Support donor engagement, financial clarifications, and follow-up on funding submissions.

Internal Controls, Risk, and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
• Support fraud prevention, risk mitigation, and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure segregation of duties and authorization controls.
• Support compliance with Nigerian statutory requirements (tax, pension, regulatory filings).

Audit, Procurement, and Asset Management:

• Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, ledgers, and supporting documents.
• Ensure procurement transactions are accurately recorded and compliant with policy.
• Maintain and regularly update the asset register.

Coordination and Capacity Support:

• Work closely with program, MEAL, and operations teams to strengthen financial compliance.
• Provide guidance and basic training to staff on financial procedures and documentation.
• Support partner organizations on financial compliance when applicable.

Key Deliverables

• Accurate accrual-based financial records maintained in QuickBooks/Zoho.
• Timely donor-compliant financial reports.
• Up-to-date bank reconciliations and financial statements.
• Audit-ready financial documentation.
• Input and support for proposals, concept notes, and donor engagement.
• Strengthened financial systems and compliance practices.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional certification (ICAN, ACCA, ANAN, CPA) is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3–5 years experience in finance and compliance roles within NGOs/INGOs.
• Proven experience using accrual accounting methods.
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks, Zoho Books, or similar accounting software.
• Experience managing donor-funded projects and supporting proposals is highly desirable.

Core Competencies and Skills:

• Strong understanding of accrual accounting principles.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and/or Zoho Books.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and budgeting skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong integrity, accountability, and ethical standards.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and collaboration skills.
• Fluency in English; Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani is an advantage

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

• The Finance and Compliance Officer must adhere to VISTA Initiative Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and PSEA Policy. Any form of fraud, exploitation, abuse, or misconduct will not be tolerated.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

• VISTA Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.