Title: Senior Finance and Administrative Officer
Location: Abuja
Supervisor: Output 1 Lead
Nigeria PLANE will be a seven-year programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and represents one window of intervention in a broader package of investment intended to enable a more inclusive and effective basic education system. It seeks to do this through improvements made in teaching and learning, focusing on foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics. It aims to unlock governance bottlenecks that support education service delivery improvement, improve the regulation of the non-state sector, and embed the use of data and evidence in the programme and within the system.
It has four primary outputs: (i) Teaching & Learning: Evidence-based teaching and learning approaches & materials in use in better-managed performance-focused schools and teaching colleges; (ii) Governance of state systems: Improved planning, personnel management and public financial management practices; (iii) Governance of non-state systems: Improved management and performance of the non-state sector; and (iv) Use of Evidence and Communication: Effective generation, communication and use of evidence to inform citizen engagement and improve service delivery. PLANE will work in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, the Southwest, South-East, and the federal capital territory.
The Senior Finance and Administrative Officer is a senior member of the project team and will be responsible for oversight of project administrative, operational, finance and contractual functions and be responsible for effective utilization of resources including staff with a diverse range of capabilities. The SFAO will ensure project finance and administration activities are implemented in a timely and results-focused manner, and in compliance with FHI 360 and FCDO requirements. Under the supervision of the PLANE Output 1 Lead, the SAFO will be responsible for accounting and finance records for FHI 360 as a sub-contractor, review of all second-tier sub-contractor finance and accounting records and ensure compliance with the contractual requirements of the PLANE project to provide reliable and accurate project accountancy services consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate closely with OP1 Lead to lead financial, operational, and contractual aspects of the project.
- Responsible for preparing monthly invoices to meet client deadlines and ensuring all supporting documentation is correct.
- Prepare project pipeline reports and analyze budget patterns and project expenditures.
- Administer the expenditure of funds, ensuring that funds are expended according to FHI 360 and donor guidelines.
- Ensure efficient management and utilization of resources in accordance with applicable FHI 360 and donor policies and procedures
- Collaborate with FHI 360โs country team, West Africa Middle East Regional Office (WAMERO) and headquarter-based staff to ensure the project is implemented according to organization and industry best practices, program framework, and regulations
- Apply accounting and auditing principles and techniques to ensure that data integrity, internal controls and audit trails are maintained throughout all transactions.
- Provide support to the project team in monitoring and reporting of the operating and capital budgets and financials.
- Interact regularly with project leadership and WAMERO to provide updates on the project finance and operations status and resolve any problems or issues associated with finance and operations.
- Work with operations as well as technical staff to ensure the correct procedures are followed in procurements and that actions are conducted in a highly efficient manner by promoting proper planning well in advance of upcoming activities.
- Oversee the process and ensure FHI 360 procurement policies are implemented as per the allocated financial thresholds.
- Ensuring all Finance and Procurement procedures are in line with FHI 360 rules and regulations.
- Perform any other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Knowledge of FCDO contractual requirements and regulations required
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, both US GAAP and UK GAAP, budgeting, and fiscal control theory and practices.
- Budget development and monitoring skills with multi-funding sources and general ledger skills.
- Relevant software skills to include automated accounting software and database spreadsheets (advanced Excel) and Management Information Systems. GFAS (Microsoft Navision) is highly desirable
- Ability to work with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, and recipients of assistance.
- Report on variances and status regularly and willing to question irregularities or the status quo.
- Work independently with initiative to manage high-volume workflow with an eye for detail.
- Ability to develop processes and make improvements where appropriate.
- Routine coordination with FHI 360 employees and consultants, on-site and in the field.
- Demonstrated analytical skills in the interpretation of budgetary, financial, and related management information.
- Must have report writing skills and be able to communicate with impact.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and handle pressure situations.
- Handle financial and quantitative information with accuracy and precision; resourceful in gathering, verifying, and analyzing financial data.
- Must exhibit high levels of professionalism, integrity, and ethical values at all times.
- Time management skills in planning and organizing work to meet deadlines.
- Ability to effectively communicate financial and internal control issues to staff with little or no financial background.
- Ability to travel a minimum of 25%.
Qualifications and Requirements
- BS/BA in Accounting, Finance, and Business Administration or its recognized equivalent, and 5 โ 7 years relevant experience.
- MS/MA in Accounting, Finance, and Business Administration or its recognized equivalent, and 3 โ 5 years relevant experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in office management and administration.
- CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CFE, or any other relevant professional qualification is required.
Safeguarding:
FHI 360 is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This Includes taking measures to protect vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360โs Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and subrecipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
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