Finance Assistant at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Requisition ID: req24894

Sector: Finance

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Maiduguri, Nigeria

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

The Finance Assistant is to assist the senior Finance officer by managing the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department, responsible for Cash processing and record-keeping of the day-to-day transactions in accordance with IRC policy and procedures.

Major Responsibilities

Assist in management of Day-to- Day Finance activities.

• To assist the senior Finance Officers/Managers in ensuring that timely and accurate payments are made.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of payment documents in compliance with IRC and Donor policies and procedure
• Coordinate with district teams for advance issuance and their timely adjustment of advances & Training documentation.
• Ensure completeness of supporting documents in all respect which includes authenticity of signatures, cross-checking attendance sheets, and verifying payments to be made
• Posting all vouchers into the transaction spreadsheet on daily basis for review by the senior Finance Officer. Ensure that all information in the spreadsheet is correct and complete.
• Processing of petty cash transactions on daily basis. Ensure petty cash is replenished on time to meet daily cash needs. Carry out cash count as per the IRC policy and schedule. Document the cash count sheets for records.
• Prepare all payments and make sure that they are properly coded and supported with relevant necessary documents.
• Assist senior Finance office in monthly bank & account reconciliation.
• Ensure all the financial documents are properly filed & tagged.
• Paid stamping of all the invoices and related documents before filing.
• Ensure timely preparation of tax & deposit into the bank.
• Visit Bank for necessary collection & submission of financial documents.
• Photocopies & scanning of all necessary documents/Instruments.
• Perform any other task assign by the line manager.
• Finance/Budgeting
• Act always in accordance with local law and standards of accounting practice.
• Review budget with the aim of gaining a clear understanding of budget guidelines and instructions
• Review funding allocations to enable proper guidance to programs and proper coding.
• Provide training to program staff on finance issues.
• Produce monthly and quarterly reports to be reviewed by your supervisor.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: 

Position Reports to:  Senior Finance Officer
Position directly supervises:  Finance Interns

Indirect Reporting: Finance Coordinator, Finance Manager and Assist. Finance Directors,
Other Internal and/or external contacts: Field coordinator, IRC Maiduguri sector leads.

Key External Contacts: 

Stakeholders

Qualifications

The requirements should establish a baseline (minimum) for educational background, previous work experience, professional knowledge or certification, specific skills and strengths and any other skill necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Education:

• HND or a bachelor’s degree in accounting from a recognized College / Institutions with NYSC Discharge Certificate.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) years of professional accounting experience with NYSC discharge certificate.
• INGO Finance experience is highly desired.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Able to work in high-pressure situations, solve problems and resolve conflicts.
• Able to independently organize work, prioritize tasks and manage time.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to coach and support others.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Computer literate with significant knowledge/experience in excel.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Able to work in high-pressure situations, solve problems and resolve conflicts.
• Able to independently organize work, prioritize tasks and manage time.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to coach and support others.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Computer literate with significant knowledge/experience in excel.

Languages: 

• Fluency in local context language is highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English.

Work Environment:

 Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

 Ability to Travel: 5% of times

Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

ender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.