Job Description
Finance Director
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: CEO
1) Organizational Background
Founded in 2012, Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa. We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money.
CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress. To enhance effective democratic governance and accountability, CODE creates platforms [mobile and web technologies] that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government. With global expertise and reach, we focus on community outreach, influencing policies, practices, and knowledge mobilization.
CODE’s commitment to participatory capacity & community building and monitoring and evaluation creates effective and sustainable programs even within the most challenging environments.
2) Position Background
CODE is seeking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Director, Finance to oversee and strengthen its financial management, systems, and policies.
This role will partner closely with the Chief Executive and the Senior Leadership Team to assess, recommend, implement, and maintain CODE’s organizational finance infrastructure. The FD, in consultation with CODE leadership team, participates in strategic planning and conceptualizing the future growth of CODE. This role is responsible for monitoring the financial health of CODE, its programs, by tracking income and expenses to ensure careful stewardship of resources and adherence to all established CODE policies and procedures.
Maintains knowledge of organizational and donor policies; provides expert guidance to the Operations and Project Team related to policy analyses, interpretation and guidance for issues related to program participants’ support; monitors and aligns participant support policies and procedures to ensure alignment with organizational and donor policies.
3) Specific Responsibilities
Key responsibility areas and associated tasks, including but not limited to:
a) Staff management:
Managing staff in the finance department so that all staff perform and are able to fulfil their responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Participation in post design, recruitment and selection
Induction and training of new staff
Effective delegation, support and follow up
Maintaining a motivated and effective team
Periodic establishment of objectives and carrying out regular performance reviews
Ensuring good teamwork and cooperation between finance and program, including but not limited to:
Participation in regular project management meetings
Ensuring programme staff are trained in relevant aspects of financial management
Ensuring a proper understanding of field operations, including risks and practical limitations.
b) Financial planning:
Ensuring that necessary financial planning procedures are carried out, including but not limited to:
Working with and facilitating budget holders in development of their budgets
Ensuring donor formats and conditions are complied with
Consolidation and review of budgets
Cash flow forecasting
Participating in development, reviewing and implementation of CODE’s strategical plan and financing strategy
c) Financial accounting:
Oversee all financial and accounting activities, prepare periodic reports on the financial status of CODE
Provide direct technical support to vendors and program staff so they can assist in expense reconciliation, monitoring, data entry, and budget management procedures.
Ensure monthly transactions are entered in the General Ledger accurately and on a timely basis by finance staff
Maintaining the integrity of the balance sheet by checking and validating:
monthly bank reconciliations, following up outstanding items
purchase ledger reconciliations
staff advances and other debtors
sundry creditors and all other creditors
check the fixed assets register is up to date monthly
Checking the monthly payroll, ensuring direct transfer to staff salary accounts and reviewing the payroll deductions to the correct government authorities;
Improve financial systems in the Country office, recommending change as part of the global improvement to provide timely and appropriate financial information to Budget Holders and donors.
Submit the monthly report to the Chief Executive in line with the monthly reporting checklist and timetable.
Ensuring adequate internal controls are in place
Provide guidance to CODE Management and staff in troubleshooting day to day related processing of accounts receivable and payable, reconciling monthly activity, payments to consultants and vendors.
Work closely with CODE’s IT department to maintain the financial accounting package – QuickBooks
Monitor CODE’s investments accounts and advise Board and Management on best practices
d) Management accounting:
Ensure monthly budget monitoring reports for all budget holders
Producing accurate, useful and timely reports for management and Board
Ensure project financial reports for donor and partners are prepared according to donor requirements; submit reports to the Chief Executive / Program Director for review and reconciling prior to submitting to the donor.
Ensure monthly management accounts are reviewed and variances are acted on by budget holders; report to the ED on the variances and the corrective action that will be taken.
Work closely with CODE’s Board Financial Committee
e) Compliance and Risk Management:
Coordinate with the auditors to complete required statutory audits;
Conduct spot checks in the main and field offices to ensure internal control are working
Regularly review all legal contracts to ensure financial commitments are met
Advise and support management with contract management
Ensure, in conjunction with Chief Executive compliance with all local legal requirements, including tax, pensions and insurance
Identify and assess risks facing the program and develop mitigation strategies along with the CODE Management team
Ensuring that an annual audit is always carried out in good time
f) Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or HND in Accounting, Finance or other relevant discipline required.
Professional certification in ACA or ACCA required.
Minimum of ten years of experience managing, in increasing roles of responsibility, finance and accounting positions in the non-profit sector.
Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by the ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
Proven experience developing and/or improving on financial management, systems and processes in an NGO setting strongly preferred.
Experience with USAID, EU, UN or GIZ projects is a requirement.
Proven leadership and capacity in negotiation and conflict management.
Demonstrated experience to provide technical assistance to organization and conduct trainings.
Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills with fluency in English. Proficient computer skills particularly in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.
g) Method of Application:
Fill the form provided. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
DEADLINE: October 23, 2019.