Finance and Operations Specialist (Sokoto) at Creative Associates International

Job ID: 2022-2609
Category: Program Management

Background

• Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. 
• The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. 
• The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. 
• LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Position Summary

• This position leads the finance and operations processes in the field office in liaison with the Finance Director and the Senior Operations Manager. 
• The position will Manage the finance activities and ensure all procedures in the field office are conducted as outlined in the finance policy and reports/postings are done in time. 
• Supervise the Operations Officer and ensure all operational activities are done conducted in line with the field operations guide and procurement manual of Creative Associates International.

Reporting & Supervision:

• Finance and Operation Specialist will report to the Regional State Advisor with dotted line reporting to the Finance Director and Senior Operations Manager in Abuja.

Primary Responsibilities

• Review all procurement purchases within the field office level threshold and ensure that all procurement is conscientious.
• Supervise and manage field procurement, office management, transport management and logistics activities and ensure efficiency in the field operations activities.
• Administer petty cash operations and provide accountability and reporting in full compliance with USAID and Creative standards.
• Processing of check requests and wire transfers for payments to vendors in compliance       with contract requirements.
• Review and process vendor and consultant fee payments in accordance with USAID and Creative account procedures and contract policies.
• Remit and file all the statutory deductions (including processing of tax clearance certificate) on monthly basis.
• Work closely with the Finance Director to ensure reconciliation of monthly expense reports and respond to any inquiries on a Monthly basis to ensure that no issue is been carried forward.
• Implement systems and ensure proper checks and balances to mitigate potential for fraud or improper use of funds.
• Work with the Grants Manager to implement the grants mechanism as needed.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or professional in Accounting / Financial qualification is highly desired.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in grant management, including disbursements and reporting and four years of general experience.
• At least 1 year of supervising experience required.
• Knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations, previous experience working on USAID-funded projects highly preferred; and
• Advanced knowledge of spoken and written English highly desired, English proficient level required.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in similar role.
• Proven experience directly and indirectly supervising and managing staff and teams.
• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas is desired.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent record keeping, and documentation skills are required.