Finance and Operations Manager at Girl Effect

Role Context

• Girl Effect is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager to lead financial management and oversee administration and procurement for the Nigeria office. You will manage the Nigeria-based Finance Specialist.
• You will ensure strong accounting practices, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with audit, donor, and tax requirements.
• You will also oversee procurement, logistics, and administration, including sourcing, evaluation, contract awards, and supplier performance, in line with procurement policies and best practices.

What You Will Do

Financial Management:

• Provide Leadership and oversight of the country's financial operations, including accounts payable & receivable, payroll, and core finance processes.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records in line with accounting standards, policies, and regulations
• Oversee cash flow, liquidity planning, and bank reconciliations
• Maintain the fixed assets register and strengthen petty cash controls
• Lead monthly close processes, including journals, reconciliations, and financial schedules
• Prepare and deliver financial reports and analysis to support decision-making

Treasury management:

• Oversee treasury functions, including cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
• Develop and maintain banking relationships and ensure efficient financial transactions
• Strengthen cash management processes and mitigate financial risks
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and controls, suggesting improvements as may become necessary

Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategy, resource allocation and evidence-based decision making
• Partner with program teams to align financial plans with program delivery and donor requirements
• Monitor financial performance, including budget utilisation and expenditure trends
• Support the development of sustainable financial plans for programs, ensuring optimal use of available resources

Grant and Donor Compliance:

• Lead financial management of donor-funded programs, ensuring grant compliance and accountability
• Oversee grant budgets, monitor expenditure, and advise on financial risks and optimisation
• Identify and proactively manage financial risks related to grants
• Support proposal development with robust budgeting and cost allocation
• Ensure accurate and timely donor financial reporting
• Review partner financial reports and strengthen partner compliance

Strategic Proposal Budgeting & Financial Leadership

• Lead the development of competitive, donor-compliant budgets and financial narratives for proposals, ensuring alignment with program design, cost-efficiency, and organisational strategy.
• Provide strategic financial input during proposal design, including cost modeling, scenario analysis, and risk assessment to strengthen win probability.

Donor Financial Engagement & Stewardship

• Serve as the finance focal point for donor engagement, providing clear financial insights during negotiations, budget revisions, and post-award discussions.
• Ensure full compliance with donor financial requirements while building trusted relationships through transparent reporting, proactive communication, and strong financial governance.

Audit and Compliance:

• Lead the preparation and review of year-end financial statements
• Manage the external audit process and act as primary liaison with auditors
• Maintain strong internal controls and risk management frameworks
• Ensure full and timely compliance with statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements
• Implement audit recommendations and continuous improvement actions

Operations & Administration Support:

• Oversee Nigeria procurement processes in line with organisational policies and value-for-money principles
• Ensure proper documentation, vendor management, and compliance
• Support improvements to operational systems and administrative processes
• Collaborate with the global procurement team on sourcing strategies as may be required from time to time

Other duties:

• Provide leadership, line management, and technical oversight to the Finance and Operations Specialist and any financial consultant resource, fostering a high performing team through mentorship, coaching, and structured professional development to strengthen technical capacity, accountability, and continuous learning
• Line manage and develop the Finance and Operations Specialist and consultants
• Strengthen financial systems, processes, and internal controls championing best practice
• Contribute to cross-functional and organisational initiatives providing financial insight

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (Master degree a plus)
• Fully qualified accountant (ICAN, ACCA, ACA, or equivalent) holding a valid professional membership as required to practice in Nigeria
• At least 7 years’ progressive post-qualification financial management experience gained ideally within the nonprofit, international development or audit sectors
• Experience managing donor-funded programs and compliance for major institutional and philanthropic donors (e.g. Mastercard Foundation, EU, CIFF, FCDO, USAID, Gates Foundation, GAC) and other bilateral and multilateral development partners required
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills
• Proven experience strengthening financial systems, controls, and risk management
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency, with strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Working knowledge of google suite is beneficial
• Collaborative and flexible. Experienced in managing manage multiple priorities while delivering high quality outputs within tight or moveable deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, operates with integrity and ability to manage confidential information responsibly