Project Grant Accountant - (Nigerian Nationals Only) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Background:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

Project Background:

Since the crisis in Northeast Nigeria escalated in 2013, the food security situation has continued to worsen, and the needs have become more complex and multidimensional. There are over 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDP), with over 65%of these IDPs settling in Borno State where they are among the most vulnerable groups. As the crisis has worn on, the needs of IDPs, returnees, and vulnerable host community members have become more complex and multi-dimensional. Nearly 60% percent of households in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states are considered multidimensionally deprived.  Nearly 5.1 million people in the BAY states will suffer from food-insecurity by August 2021: a 19% and 34% increase on the 2020 and 2019 figures, respectively. Specifically, food security in Borno is projected to deteriorate over the course of 2021, with an increase from 1.8 million individuals to 2.7 million by August 2021.

In this emergency context, IDP households are among the worst affected populations as displacement has resulted in the loss and destruction of key assets and the interruption of livelihoods. Furthermore, in Maiduguri center, the majority of IDPs families have found refuge with host families, with whom they share already scarce natural resources such as shelter and water. As per CRS’ needs assessments, these communities are in immediate need of food, WASH, emergency shelter, NFIs to save lives and restore dignity.

In order to effectively respond to the crisis, CRS Ceton Rayuka II program is focused on food security and livelihood, NFIs, WASH, shelter and Nutrition, for both IDPs and host families. Where possible, CRS seeks to maximize project impact, efficiency, and effectiveness by adopting market-based approaches – through e-vouchers and the Red Rose One System platform – privileging integrated programming and empowering targeted communities through participatory approaches.

Job Summary:
The Project Accountant, under the direct supervision of the Emergency Coordinator  and working in close collaboration with the Head of Finance, Award Manager, CRII Program Mangers and  Head of Office, Borno, will coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the  CRII  project’s policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP),  USAID  rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. The Project Accountant will perform sub-awardee/partner risk assessment and capacity building visits and manage partner financial management related to the project(s). She/he will perform other duties in the Borno CRS finance team as directed by the Award Manager.

Specific Responsibilities:

Grants management and compliance

• Serve as the point of contact for the CRII grant management and compliance issues with sub-grantees

• Support timely agreement/contract development/review/approval, both at the level of CRS and partners, ensuring adherence to both internal CRS and donor requirements.

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project’s subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project accounts in the CRS financial management system.

• 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 subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.

• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project 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 project staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.

• Provide information to project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.

• Perform assigned treasury project (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Subrecipients’ financial management and capacity building

• Build and strengthen the capacity of subrecipients in the area of financial management. Plan and organize regular trainings and other capacity building initiatives such as exchange visits to ensure that subrecipients acquire and maintain the skills required to manage financial resources provided by CRS and other donors.

• Assess and regularly monitor subrecipients’ ability to safeguard financial resources entrusted to them. In addition, assess and monitor their ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions.

• Work closely with subrecipients to ensure that they design and implement effective internal control improvement plans.

• Maintain good working relationships with subrecipients based on mutual respect and effective communication and work closely with the Emergency Coordinator, Program Managers and Finance Leadership to ensure coordinated and consistent partners strengthening efforts.

• Ensure subrecipient advances and liquidations are managed in accordance with the Subrecipient Financial Management Policy and the terms of the related subrecipient agreements.

• Through formal training, on the job support and monitoring, build the capacity of CRS and partner staff in grants/contract compliance.

• Conduct staff orientation in donor and CRS financial management policies, procedures and standards in collaboration and coordination with the Award Manager.

Grant Management

• Monitor grant agreements to ensure spending is within obligated budgets and the approved project periods; communicate with the CP Finance leadership when new agreements are signed, or existing agreements are modified.

• Lead the ongoing financial management of the CRII grant through timely communication with the Emergency Coordinator, program managers, to ensure budgets are not overspent or significantly under-spent.

• Approve local partner budget updates and liquidation reports for the CRS finance team to process.

• Ensure partner liquidation includes sufficient documentation to justify expenses.

• Verify estimates of partner cash needs and in collaboration and coordination with CRII program managers, develop quarterly cash forecast to ensure sufficient cash flow and timely disbursement to support activity implementation.

• Ensure that partners keep supporting documents for all financial transactions and ledgers for Fixed Assets, Purchase Requisitions, Cash Receipts and Disbursement.

• In coordination with the Award Manager and Head of Finance, support the development and review of budget for new proposals and ensure accuracy of direct and allocated direct charges.

Required Languages - English and Hausa required, other local dialect preferred.

Travel - The position is based in Maiduguri requiring travel 25% of the time on average to field offices in Yobe State as well as to Abuja where the Country Office is located.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies

• Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail

• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

• Ability to work collaboratively

Supervisory Responsibilities: No direct supervisory responsibility.

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal:  Head of Finance, Award Manager, CRII Program Managers, Heads of Office – Borno and Yobe, Procurement Manager; Risk and Compliance Unit.

External: Subrecipients, and External Auditors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or accounting, required. Professional qualification in accounting (ACCA, CPA or equivalent), preferred.

• Working and living experience of at least three years in NE Nigeria, preferred.

• Minimum three-five years relevant work experience in overseeing USG grants and financial compliance.

• Experience managing USG and/or other donor grant awards in an NGO or similar setting.

• Auditing experience, a plus. 

• Demonstrated ability in building capacity and providing training and technical assistance, and experience working with church partners.

• Good command of spoken and written English. 

• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel and other appropriate software)

• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills.

• Ability to work independently and under pressure.

• Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Builds Relationships  

• Develops Talent 

• Strategic Mindset 

• Accountability & Stewardship