Project Grant Accountant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the DRIVE project policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable.
• You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the DRIVE project financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the DRIVE life cycle.
• You will organize and lead the financial monitoring of the DRIVE project implemented by the consortium partner, JDPC.  
• You will provide financial advice and guidance to the DRIVE Project Director. You will also lead on the technical capacity building and mentoring of the JDPC finance team. 
• This position is contingent upon the award of the grant.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for JDPC on DRIVE following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned DRIVE accounts in the CRS Insight system. 
• Conduct a capacity assessment of the JDPC financial team and develop and implement a technical and managerial training plan to address identified needs and gaps. 
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place. 
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor JDPC financial management processes on DRIVE in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant CRS DRIVE staff of due payments/liquidations and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist CRS DRIVE staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to   CRS and JDPC staff, on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Perform assigned treasury DRIVE (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.
• Participate in the CRS DRIVE senior management team with the Project Director and sector leads and provide financial and budgetary guidance as required.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the supervisor for the implementation of the project. 

Required Languages - English and Hausa are essential.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20 %.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great diligence
• Good team communication skills and capacity to train finance staff. 
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple sectors and teams. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams)
• Experience of working with Oracle based financial platforms

Supervisory Responsibilities : CRS Finance Assistant

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:  DRIVE Project Director and Sector leads, CRS CP Finance Manager and Abuja finance team, Senior Admin and Security staff in Maiduguri 

External – JDPC Finance team

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA  or equivalent).
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Experience of working in a consortium arrangement. 
• Good communication and facilitation skills.