Job Opportunities at Self Help Africa

Job Purpose:

• The Country Finance Manager under the supervision of the Country Director and Global Programme Finance team, will provide oversight and leadership for the efficient and effective operations of the finance and compliance functions of the Nigeria Country Office programmes. S/he will be responsible for all financial oversight in the country programmes, including accounting, payments and banking, budgeting, financial reporting, grant financial management and compliance, while ensuring the technical capacity building of the finance and programmes teams.
• The role will be directly responsible for the implementation and overall management of financial systems and controls, accountable for assessing, monitoring and mitigating both internal and external risks across the Country Programme and providing effective guidance for the quality of management oversight on key functions within the Country Programme. These include day to day financial management (including monitoring and review of transaction recording/posting to accounting software and adhere to internal controls, financial reporting (internal/external), cash/bank management, budget administration, staff capacity building and any other related matters in country.
• The post holder will also develop high quality approaches and systems, work closely with programme leads and other country management staff to ensure effective monitoring and response to external risks associated with compliance with policy and regulations and statutory requirements and collaborate with teams across the country programmes and at the Global level.
• The Country Finance Manager is a key part of the country management team of the Country Programme and under the overall leadership of the Country Director plays a key role in the overall achievement of the country programme goals. At country level, the role will liaise with and provide direct support to Country Management Team (CMT), budget holders, procurement team, auditors, and partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership, Project Accounting and Cash flow Management:

• Develop the overall strategic plan and Standard of Operations for the country finance function, in collaboration with the Country Management and Global Finance teams.
• Lead the implementation of SHA’s financial procedures in-country to ensure monthly standard accounting submissions from the respective field offices, including account reconciliations, financial analysis of month end transactions by award for accurate coding, as well as other financial analysis and information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide monthly management reports to the Country Director, Global Finance Office, Program Managers and the senior management teams including expenditures by fund/project, income and expenditure account, cost analysis reports, and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Monitor and analyse grant budgets and spending, and in coordination with program/project managers, initiate and prepare required budget realignments.
• In conjunction with country office Programme Management, ensure effective management of Country office and project budgets – identify potential under or over-spends and liaise with country office Programme Management/Project Managers, Country Director, global office, and donors as appropriate.
• Preparation of the Country Programme annual budgets (in liaison with country office programme management and Country Director) for submission to global office/donors.
• Support in developing and appraising financial aspects of project proposals for submission to global office and donors.
• Oversee the preparation of and review accuracy and completeness of donor financial reports – monthly, quarterly, or annually, as required by the donor contracts and guidelines, which agree with the corresponding narrative reports. Submission to the global office for approval along with budget variance analysis and explanations.
• Preparation of the year-end audit file and financial statements, arranging and ensuring the timely completion of the year end audit (accounting year end -31 December). Submission to the global office for approval.
• Review and approve payment documentation, ensuring amounts are in line with agreed budgets, authority levels, internal control procedures and donor requirements are adhered to, and timely payments are made to suppliers, partners, and beneficiaries.

Compliance and Risk Assessment:

• In conjunction with the finance team and country office management, schedule regular monitoring visits to, and internal audit of, local partner organisations, ensuring their financial systems and controls are of an appropriate standard to ensure security and effective management of funds advanced.
• Review of monthly payroll to ensure that all relevant personnel information is up to date and local compliance with statutory and other legal requirements. Ensure local compliance with employee tax deductions and that all relevant statutory deductions are employee’s salaries and paid to appropriate authorities.
• Be responsible for assessing, monitoring and mitigating both internal and external risks across the Country Programme; and providing effective oversight to the quality of management on key functions within the Country Programme.
• Work closely with department leads and other management staff to ensure effective monitoring and response to external risks associated with compliance with policy and regulations, statutory requirements, in collaboration with teams across the country programme and global team.
• Ensure that high quality, effective systems are in place to monitor and respond to internal risks, associated with but not limited to: partnerships and local NGO relationships, relationship with public institutions, compliance with SHA policy and regulation, which includes safeguarding, fraud, corruption and conflict of interest.
• Provide guidance, training, and consultation on compliance with SHA financial policies and procedures as well as donor compliance requirements to the country team.
• Identify efficient and effective solutions to issues while ensuring compliance with SHA policies and donor regulations,
• Perform follow-up and resolutions for internal and external audit recommendations to improve or enhance the internal control environment.
• Prevent and mitigate potential financial risks of the project. Employ the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability to ensure good financial management in line with SHA’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption.

Partnership Management, Team Management and Skill Sharing:

• Work with consortium partnerships and technical staff to organise capacity and risk assessments for partners.
• Work in collaboration with operations, finance and programme staff to manage consortium partners.
• Liaise with consortium partners for timely submission of accurate financial reports.
• Review financial reports submitted by partners and provide immediate feedback as necessary.
• Carry out follow up visits to relevant partners in order to develop a capacity building plan with specific action points.
• Conduct training for consortium partners finance staff.
• Ensure that all partners submit their financial reports in a timely fashion and funds are transferred to partners without delay.
• Coordinate financial monitoring and field visits to ensure that SHA requirements are being followed by partners.
• Ensure budgets and other operational policy and procedures are respected by partners.
• Lead the development and implementation of a training program for programme team to ensure staff development and minimise SHA’s exposure to risk.
• Support the development of a capacity building plan for programme finance staff to be capacitated to function effectively.
• Oversee training and technical support to the programme, operations and administrative staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control.
• Manage programme finance staff activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by the Global Head Office and the donor. Lead a diverse team of direct and indirect reports in the field offices and conduct timely performance planning; establish performance expectations with team members, provide regular constructive feedback on team members’ performance and conduct performance reviews in a collaborative manner.
• Create a sustainable work environment of mutual respect that attracts motivated, skilled and effective team members and enables them individually and collectively to strive to achieve excellence.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Financial Reporting, Internal Controls & Audit management:
• Ensure that all policies and procedures follow SHA and donor policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the management advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial performance.

Support the annual audit process.

• Develop field visit schedules and perform country internal controls assessments, and initiate actions necessary to correct internal control weaknesses.
• Maintain current knowledge of national government requirements related to financial matters and ensure compliance with tax regulations and other legal requirements.
• Team Management and Safeguarding
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Manage the performance of line managed staff through objective setting, regular performance review, managing feedbacks and regularly monitor performance development plans.
• Support the continual growth and professional development of all line-managed staff, ensuring that appropriate support and development mechanisms are in place.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Manage any inter-personal conflicts that may arise between different team members.
• Demonstrate experience in and commitment to safeguarding, protection, gender mainstreaming and inclusion of vulnerable population including people with disabilities.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Country Director, Global Office Programme Finance Team, Programme, MEAL, Operations, Finance & Compliance and Security teams.
• External: Consortium partners finance teams, donor etc

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements

Education and other qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field.
• A recognized professional certificate in accounting such as ICAN, ACA, CIMA, CPA, or ACCA.
• ICT operation, and proficiency in MS Office. Advanced computer skills, particularly Excel.

Experience

• At least 8 years operational finance experience, preferably in a mid to large international NGO with 3-4 years management experience including supervisory experience required.
• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems and standard spreadsheet.
• Strong technical skills and up to date knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• Experience in the preparation and review of management accounts and the ability to critically analyse a trial balance.
• Experience of managing donor funds and contracts, as well as an understanding of donor regulations.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Experience in the preparation of year-end financial statements and managing annual external audits.
• Experience of managing, training and supporting staff.
• Experience working with partner organisations, undertaking risk assessments, internal audits and/or assessing internal controls.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally when required.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal support from within the program organisation.
• Experience coordinating and leading sub-grant partners and working with multiple partners.
• Experience in development of high standard financial reports.
• Experience working with culturally diverse teams.

Skills:

• Financial Accounting
• Donor Reporting
• Expenditure Verification
• Project management
• Excellent leadership and coordination skills (and ability to coordinate several tasks at once and managing priorities)
• Effective communication, problem solving and decision-making skills and diplomacy in communication
• Respect for cultural diversity and gender sensitivity
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Flexible work attitude, proactive and demonstrated creativity
• Communication, networking, facilitation and team work.
• Organisational development
• Reporting and documentation

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Job Purpose:

• SHA is looking for a dynamic WASH professional with significant programme management and system strengthening expertise to lead the programme in Nigeria while promoting the organisation’s mission and vision and deepening our impact through delivery of high-quality intervention. The Programme Manager will be responsible for providing overall leadership, technical and strategic management to the programme team in Nigeria.
• S/he will ensure effective and efficient planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning. S/he will manage staff, partners, resources, and interface with external stakeholders to achieve the programme’s targets, and objectives on time, within scope and budget in compliance with donor requirements. The post-holder will be responsible for providing strategic direction for the programme’s technical and administrative components, and will work closely with SHA’s Nigeria and Global WASH team.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Programme Management

• Develop overall strategic plan for the programme, in collaboration with government and partners.
• Lead programme implementation, and work closely with the Head of WASH programmes and Global WASH Advisor on the overall programme strategy. The overall programme approach is systems strengthening, utilising sustainable models of market-based approach, systems analysis, resilience and permanent systems change.
• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate innovative strategies for increased effectiveness of WASH Systems.
• Ensure high level of accountability to participants, stakeholders and donor ensuring effective feedback mechanism, regular communication, timely production and submission of plans, reports and assessment.
• Ensure security of project team and resources in compliance with contract management procedures and systems. Communicate with relevant programme actors in the field and provide timely report/alert to the Senior Management on changing contexts in safety and security across programme locations.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and familiar with the organization’s policies.
• Effective Implementation and Programme Quality
• Ensure programme quality assurance and oversight, which includes regular field visits in Nigeria.
• Oversee effective implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning framework for the programme.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation, including climate resilience, WASH access surveys, service delivery model assessments, feeding information into costed plans, and strengthening of monitoring processes. Particular focus will be on climate resilience and generation of data to inform routine programme decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.
• Ensure learning and knowledge sharing are central to the programme – facilitating capacities and resources well channelled and integrated to a circle of reflection, adaptation and actions across the programme.
• Establish and manage robust programme management systems that integrate Value for Money (VFM) and enable adaptive management based on field level monitoring and feedback.
• Monitor risks that arise in the course of project implementation, and implement rapid risk mitigation measures including effective communication to all stakeholders.
• Representation, Networking and advocacy
• In collaboration with Head of WASH Programmes and MEAL team, conduct participatory WASH systems analysis and identify specific areas of sector strengthening support required to improve WASH delivery at federal and state levels; and use the evidence from this analysis to shape influencing and advocacy activities targeting diverse sector actors.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships, and regular communication with multiple stakeholders in Nigeria through co-planning and co-delivery of activities with the permanent actors of the system (government, civil society, private sector), to the full extent possible, maximising ownership.
• Represent the Programme and where needed SHA more broadly, at national networks and events; NTGS, CNC Technical meetings as well as state and regional clusters – with INGOs, UNICEF, World Bank and other relevant stakeholders at both national and state levels and provide necessary information to support external representations.
• Ensure a good coordination between sub-grant partners in terms of programme delivery and coherence of implementation outputs.
• Animating a regular communication between partners to raise and follow key issues, strategic development and ensure integration across partners and within the sector.
• Support networks and clusters of operational independence in strengthening systemic accountability, including CSO network partners who will operate as critical partners to the government of Nigeria.

Finance and Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and SHA’s policies and procedures related to programme implementation.
• Draft and/or review scope of work for hiring and management of technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Ensure consistency between programme budgetary and operational planning, aligning budgetary compliance with grant agreement and SHA financial policies and procedures.
• Lead on programme budget amendment/realignment by closely working with the finance and operations teams.
• Employ the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability to ensure good financial management in line with SHA’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption.
• Control the quality of the overall administrative and financial monitoring of the project and regularly reviewing the commitments, disbursements and budget forecasts.
• Team Management and Safeguarding
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Manage the performance of line-managed staff through objective setting, regular performance review, managing feedbacks and regularly monitoring performance development plans.
• Support the continual growth and professional development of all line-managed staff, ensuring that appropriate support and development mechanisms are in place.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Demonstrate experience in and commitment to safeguarding, protection, gender mainstreaming and inclusion of vulnerable population including people with disabilities.
• Establish feedback, complaints and response mechanism across communities of implementation to ensure programmatic and operational decisions are informed by local perspectives and priorities, and contribute to the protection of program participants.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Head of WASH Programmes, sub-grant partners, Global WASH team, Programme, MEAL, Operations, Finance & Compliance and Security teams.
• External: Consortia members, Ministry of Water Resources & Sanitation, Ministry of Budget & Planning, State Governments, development partners and professional networks.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements

Education and other qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification, preferably at Master’s degree, in Engineering, social science, public health or related field.
• ICT operation, and proficiency in MS Office.

Experience

• At least 8 years’ working experience with INGO/NGO in the WASH sector or equivalent position.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing large and complex programs in the WASH sector.
• Experience and conceptual understanding in systems strengthening, market-based sanitation, government planning and budgeting, accountability and advocacy, resilience and community-led approaches.
• Experience coordinating and leading sub-grant partners and working with multiple partners.
• Experience working collaboratively with state, local, and ideally national government in Nigeria.
• Experience in development of high standard advocacy briefs, learning products, and quality donor reporting.
• Strong grasp of MEAL, and using monitoring and learning information to adapt programmes for maximising efficiency and effectiveness.
• Experience in Government engagement and policy coordination especially empowerment and capacity building of systems.
• Experience working with culturally diverse teams.

Skills:

• Project management and implementation
• Excellent leadership and coordination skills (and ability to coordinate several tasks at once and managing priorities)
• Effective communication, problem solving and decision-making skills and diplomacy in communication
• Respect for cultural diversity and gender sensitivity
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Communication, networking, facilitation and mobilisation
• Organisational developmentReporting and documentation

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Job Purpose:

• The Finance Coordinator has overall management responsibility for the finance and accounting functions for aforementioned programme.
• The post holder will ensure that the programme has the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the smooth project implementation.
• S/he will contribute to the development of the programme’s strategic and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review.
• S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day financial management of this grant ensuring effective utilisation of funds to achieve value for money while coordinating review of payment requests, floats, liquidations etc, financial planning/forecasting, and resource allocation in alignment to the approved budget.Key Responsibilities: Project Accounting, Cash flow Management and Risk Management:
• Lead the month- end closing process and ensure timely closure of the monthly books.
• Work with the finance team and prepare the project balance sheet reconciliations and internal reports.
• Responsible for day-to-day financial accounting of this grant ensuring effective utilisation of funds to achieve value for money.
• Coordinate review of project payment requests, floats, liquidations etc.
• Support the Country Finance Manager on project cash management including review of the sub-grant partners’ cash management and control system.
• Manage the project cash properly and ensure healthy cash inflows and out flows.
• Prevent and mitigate potential financial risks of the project. Employ the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability to ensure good financial management in line with SHA’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption.
• Support in the development of an internal audit/ expenditure verification plan and lead the team on the project internal audit/expenditure verification process.
• Budget Preparation, Monitoring, Reviews and Reporting:
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of the country program’s annual operating budget to ensure data is complete and maintained on a timely basis.
• Assist in the development and preparation of cost allocation processes for pooled costs that comply with donor regulations on allowable costs.
• Work with programme staff to manage the project budget or realignments, ensuring adequate coverage of country operating costs and the required direct and indirect costs.
• Prepare actual vs. budget results to ensure maximum utilization of budgeted amounts and to provide recommendations for realignments as required.
• Assist on the formulation of annual operating budgets and operating budget reforecasts, and review operating budgets of the allocated field sites. Identify any shortfalls in pooled costs budget coverage and suggest corrective measures.
• Monitor support cost spending and advise the Country Finance Manager if there is a deviation from the policy.
• Provide programme management and programme staff with monthly actual-to-budget analysis for project funds and facilitate reviews and discussion.
• Ensure donor financial reports are prepared as per the donor requirements and ensure donor regulations are adhered to for all aspects of the operation.
• Partnership Management, Team Management and Skill Sharing:
• Work with partnerships and technical staff to organise capacity and risk assessments for sub-grant partners.
• Work in collaboration with operations, finance and programme staff to manage sub-agreements.
• Liaise with partners for timely submission of accurate financial reports.
• Review financial reports submitted by partners and provide immediate feedback as necessary.
• Carry out follow up visits to relevant partners in order to develop a capacity building plan with specific action points.
• Conduct training for partner finance staff.
• Ensure that all partners submit their financial reports in a timely fashion and funds are transferred to partners without delay.
• Assist with financial monitoring and field visits to ensure that SHA requirements are being followed by partners.
• Ensure budgets and other operational policy and procedures are respected by partners.
• Support in the development and implementation of a training program for programme team to ensure staff development and minimise SHA’s exposure to risk.
• Support the development of a capacity building plan for programme finance staff to be capacitated to function effectively.
• Oversee training and technical support to the programme, operations and administrative staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control.
• Manage programme finance staff activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by the Global Head Office and the donor.
• Financial Reporting, Internal Controls & Audit management:
• Ensure that all policies and procedures follow SHA and donor policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the management advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial performance.
• Support the annual audit process.
• Develop field visit schedules and perform country internal controls assessments, and initiate actions necessary to correct internal control weaknesses.
• Maintain current knowledge of government requirements related to financial matters and ensure compliance with tax regulations and other legal requirements. Key Relationships:Internal: Country Finance Manager, Global Office Programme Finance Team, Programme, MEAL, Operations, Finance & Compliance and Security teams.
• External: Sub-grant partners finance teams Knowledge,

Experience and Other Requirements

Education and other qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field. A master’s degree with a Finance concentration will be an added advantage.
• A recognized professional certificate in accounting such as ICAN, ACA, CIMA, CPA, or ACCA.
• ICT operation, and proficiency in MS Office.

Experience

• At least 6 years’ project finance coordination experience in an international development organisation/INGO/NGO or equivalent position.
• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems and standard spreadsheet.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal support from within the program organisation.
• Experience coordinating and leading sub-grant partners and working with multiple partners.
• Experience in development of high standard financial reports.
• Experience working with culturally diverse teams.

Skills:

• Financial Accounting
• Donor Reporting
• Expenditure Verification
• Project management
• Excellent leadership and coordination skills (and ability to coordinate several tasks at once and managing priorities)
• Effective communication, problem-solving solving and decision-making skills and diplomacy in communication
• Respect for cultural diversity and gender sensitivity
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Flexible work attitude, proactive and demonstrated creativity
• Communication, networking, facilitation and team work
• Organisational development
• Reporting and documentation