Latest Vacancies at Creative Associates International

Jobv Ref: FINAN01742
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time

Project Description

• The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Activity is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria, while promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade.
• The Activity comprises of three main components: (i) design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships; (ii) administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives.
• The Trade Hub will contribute to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Position Summary

• The Finance Manager will assist the Director, Finance in developing and managing the project’s financial systems.
• S/he will work under the supervision of the Director, Finance and will support them in all matters related to financial management, financial reporting, and subcontracting.
• S/he will also assist Director Finance in ensuring sufficient funds are available for effective and efficient implementation of project activities and support programs.
• Specific areas of responsibility include financial report preparation, review and submission to headquarters and cash flow management.

Primary Responsibilities
Financial Management:

• Supervise and ensure day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions are performed in compliance with internal and client’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure funds’ availability and verify that all procurement and Grants-Under-Contract actions are compliant with internal and client’s financial management guidelines;
• Ensure that all accounting data is updated, reconciled and fully supported with backup documents;
• Ensure timely processing of staff payroll, allowances and other reimbursements;
• Oversee financial and administrative functions of the execution of grants to all local IPs; and
• Monitor program and operational forecasting, establish and maintain cash controls to ensure supply of adequate funds.

Staff Management:

• Lead a team of finance professionals responsible for accounting and financial management;
• Develop staff by encouraging individuals to be self-motivated and take responsibility for their contributions to the finance team; and
• Conduct timely performance reviews and provide performance feedback/training to the staff.

Financial Reporting:

• Manage the finance department to meet financial reporting requirements, ensuring that all financial reports are submitted on or before deadline;
• Produce segregated finance records at the request of Director, Finance such as expenses for specific locations or grants;
• Ensure accurate and smooth month and year-end closing and reporting within agreed schedules; and
• Provide financial status of project expenses and budget information when required by Director, Finance.

Budgeting:

• Assist in preparation of budgets, monitor, review and revise as required in consultation with the Director, Finance; and
• Prepare Budget vs. Actual analysis and report variances to Director, Finance.

Internal Controls and Compliance:

• Ensure proper controls are maintained within Finance department, supervise finance staff; segregate their duties to ensure proper internal controls;
• Ensure compliance with local laws, particularly on withholding taxes;
• Ensure timely deposit of withholding taxes and reporting to Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS);
• Alert potential non-compliance financial issues to the attention of Director, Finance;
• Coordinate with Program and Grant Teams to establish proper controls for grants management;
• Establish procedures and forms for requesting and issuance of advances for program needs; and
• Ensure and routinely test for maintenance of audit-ready documentation.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• A Master's Degree or its equivalent with five (5) years of work experience or a Bachelor's Degree with seven (7) years' relevant experience;
• Experience with computerized accounting;
• Familiarity with all Microsoft Office applications;
• Proficiency in English reading, writing and speaking
• Experience with U.S. government (USAID preferred) administrative compliance preferred;
• Exposure working with international operations;
• Ability to work with and achieve results with a diverse group of personnel located in many countries; and
• Strong organizational and managerial skills.

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Jobv Ref: VERIF01741
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

• The Verification Officer will independently develop and lead internal reviews of compliance with Creative, USAID, and government policies, procedures, and regulations.
• The Verification Officer plays a central and critical role in Creative’s internal control system, designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. As required, the Verification Officer will execute investigations into allegations of fraud, waste and abuse.
• The Verification Officer must be able to travel frequently throughout West Africa, including Senegal, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire, and to any other location where the program is implementing activities.  

Reporting and Supervision:

• The Verification Officer will report to the Chief of Party (COP).

Primary Responsibilities
General Tasks:

• Perform professional internal reviews and verification of compliance with Creative, USAID, and governmentpolicies, procedures, and regulations;
• Conduct performance, financial, and compliance reviews of Creative activities and operations;
• Support procurement team to review bid evaluations, as required;
• Support the human resources staff to review candidate qualifications and education history, as required;
• Serve as the focal point for any reviews and internal audits;
• Provide trainings on Creative internal controls, policies and procedures, code of conduct, ethical standards, and independent reporting line; 
• Work under the supervision of the Chief of Party and collaborate closely with HQ Program and Security teams.  

Compliance:

• Support the COP to identify and mitigate risks of waste, fraud, or abuse;
• Interact regularly with Creative program and operations staff to understand and assess risks;
• Provide accurate and timely information on any financial, managerial, and operating risks;
• Ensure employees’ actions are in compliance withpolicies, standards, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations;
• Review that goods and services acquired to support Creative’s program and operations are acquired in a cost-effectivemanner, used efficiently, and adequately protected against theft and/or misuse.
• Encourage continuous improvement and compliance with Creative’s internal control processes;
• Identify and communicate any legal, compliance, and regulatory issues which could impact Creative’s operations and activities and support the COP to quickly address these;
• Develop a flexible annual plan for internal review of compliance using appropriate risk-based methodology, including any risks or control concerns identified by the COP and/or Operations Manager;
• Ensure adherence to procedures for documenting compliance with financial and administrative policies and procedures;
• Ensure adherence to Creative’s internal control systems and procedures for tracking and safeguarding the project’s assets;
• Verify the authenticity of transactions posted to Creative’s accounting system as required;
• Ensure adequacy of appropriate controls on collection, storage and access to important financial data and sensitive information;
• Plan and carry out internal reviews of financial procedures to ensure compliance;
• Identify training gaps related to compliance and provide training for improving efficiency of groups/individuals;
• Implement the annual internal review plan, as approved, including any special tasks or projects requested by the COP and/or Creative home office; 
• Serve as an advisor to the COP, Operations Manager, and Creative Home Office and assist management by conducting, designing improved processes and system;
• Issue periodic reports, as determined, to the Chief of Party and/or Home Office.
• Assist the COP and Creative home office staff, in the investigation of suspected fraudulent activities by Creative staff and/or its local partners; 
• Conduct desk compliance interviews, review documents, and compose memos on compliance reviews;
• Draft written reports for and make presentations on the results of compliance reviews to the COP and Creative home office staff, as requested; and
• Perform any other duties and tasks as needed and assigned. 

Required Skills and Qualifications

• University Degree in relevant field such as Finance, Accounting or Business, is required;
• Master's Degree in finance, accounting, or auditing and chartered public accountant certification preferred;
• Minimum of four (4) years of general work history is required;
• Minimum of two (2) years’ work experience working in risk assessment, internal audit, and/or external audit required;
• Minimum of one (1) year of management experience required;
• Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant & certified Internal audit strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of audit procedures, including planning, techniques, test, sampling methods and computerized accounting and auditing record keeping systems;
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate facts and to prepare and present concise oral and written reports;
• Ability to assess the financial and administrative management of program activities including budget management and procurement;
• Prior experience with USAID or U.S. Government funded projects is highly desirable;
• Ability to establish and retain effective working relationships with other staff and to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Experience in developing and implementing compliance programs across complex organizations with multiple software and automated systems;
• In-depth knowledge of regional employment, tax, accounting, procurement, and other relevant laws is a plus;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Problem solving, stress management and time management skills;
•  Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.  Prior experience using accounting software and web-based financial management systems preferred;
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent record keeping and documentation skills;
• Written and spoken proficiency in French and English required;
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.