Finance Specialist at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Location: Yola, Adamawa

The Position

• DRC is seeking the services of a committed and competent Finance Specialist to join our Finance Team
• This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country
• The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks
• The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

The main duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to:
Overall Responsibility:

• Functions as a specialist in Finance within the Country
• Provide overall advice, coordination, and technical support to the Finance teams in the Country
• Ensure compliance with the finance chapters of DRC’s Operations Handbook

Technical Support:

• Support the development and implementation of financial management capacity building of staff
• Provide technical support and advice to the country finance teams
• Support in the implementation of recommendations raised through internal & external audits, compliance audits etc.,
• Participate in conducting trainings for staff in the field offices and develop their technical skills by ensuring all processes related to organizational policies, donor guidelines and governmental requirements are adhered to

Financial Management:

• Minimize financial risks by ensuring that DRC/DDG financial policies and procedures as set in Operations Handbook and any other CO/RO/HQ instructions are strictly adhered to through predefined effective internal control system.
• In close cooperation with Managers/Coordinators in geographical area reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, internal guidelines and donor requirements
• Support timely delivery of quality financial reports to donors and internal reports to colleagues and HQ
• Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies and statutory return.
• Monthly financial briefings to relevant Manager/coordinators
• Ensure thorough and effective budgetary control in the country programs.
• Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues for all programs in the country, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances and any remedial action
• Collecting cash forecasts from all Programme Managers/Coordinators and requesting funds in a timely manner
• Maintain a continuous overview of funding levels and pay particular attention to shared support costs, including staff salaries
• Ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Coordination staff and HQ
• Ensure monthly meetings are held with project managers to discuss key variances, reasons for these, and any remedial action that is required
• Prepare for local audits
• Contribute to the development of proposals with regards to budgeting in cooperation with Managers

The responsibilities listed in the Job Description are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Requirements
Essentials:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Finance / Accounting or Business Administration
• Minimum of 3 years of  practical experience in financial management
• Proven experience in managing large budgets
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g., UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM guidelines)
• Ability to prepare basic training modules on accounting management and conduct on the job training.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel.

Desirable:

• A University degree or advanced professional qualification in Finance (Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance, Certificate in Business Accounting, etc.) (preferable)
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g., UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM guidelines)
• Ability to prepare donor budgets.

Conditions

• Availability: ASAP
• Salary and conditions: In accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. The income will be subject to statutory deductions as per applicable Nigeria laws. The employee is responsible for tax returns.