Partner Finance Officer at WaterAid Nigeria

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping the poor and marginalised people break free from poverty and disease, and change their lives for good through improved access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Since 1995, WaterAid has dedicatedly worked with the governments and people of Nigeria to support the implementation of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions and programmes.  

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Partner Finance Officer

Location: Abuja
Department: Finance & IT
Contract type: Full time, 2-4 years fixed term ( renewable)
Reports to: Head of Finance & Information Technology
Travel: At least 40% time travel to support partners

Job Description

• The Finance & IT Directorate provides leadership and support for financial management and IT across WaterAid Nigeria.

Job Purpose

• This role provides all round financial management support to WaterAid Nigeria partners.
• The post holder is responsible for supporting partner organizations and their staff to develop effective partner financial processes that are in line with GAAP; partner organizations compliance with WaterAid and any donor specific financial policies & procedures requirement; the appropriate use of and application of grant funds and accurate and timely submission of financial reports in line with approved budgets.
• The Partner Finance Officer will also build capacity of WaterAid partners on various aspects of financial management.

Accountabilities
Partnership Support:

• Undertake financial monitoring and support to partners. Notify the Head of Finance & IT of issues arising from the financial reporting/ monitoring of partners and propose remedial action to resolve the issues
• Provide planned support to partners and also respond to on –demand support request from partners with buy-in of the Head of Finance & IT to determine if capacity building is required.
• Review all partner financial reports, returns and supporting documentation to ensure it is in line with WaterAid & donor guidelines
• Ensure financial compliance by partners through audit check of finance reports from partners and provide written feedback on the financial reports
• Support the development of clear & appropriate financial procedures for managing partner relationships, including partner checks and partner exit procedures.
• Contribute to the development of guidelines, tools and templates to support partners to improve the quality of their financial reporting
• Identify gaps in capacity and provide capacity building on financial management to partners

 Financial Management & Reporting:

• Responsible for ensuring that partners develop and manage appropriate financial accounting records
• Responsible for the accurate entry of partner accounts to the Global Accounting System (GAS)
• Prepare project financial reports, consistent with donor and WaterAid procedural and reporting requirements (monthly, quarterly, six monthly, annually)
• Attend to queries regarding project reports/budgets in a timely manner to avoid delays to project plans attributable to late processing of partner transfers
• Calculate and allocate support cost recovery from restricted donors and ensure these are charged to projects
• Check /Verify requests for payments and purchase orders, to ascertain whether sufficient project funding is available and that requests are charged to correct budget lines
• Deal with request for transfers to partners in a timely manner whilst ensuring full compliance is achieved with financial regulations in reviewing request for fund transfers to partners.
• Prepare ‘ad hoc’ management and financial information and reports as and when required internally by respective State Programme Leads and Programme Managers
• Provide timely and accurate input into Month end and Year end processes
• Preparing Donor/Projects reconciliation
• Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Finance & IT or their designated representative.

Risk Management:

• Responsible for keeping all records from partners in an accurate and secure manner
• Provide support throughout external & other audits, including preparing relevant supporting evidence and records of partner expenditure.
• Support Partners to maintain and update a risk register for WaterAid projects

Person specification
Essential Criteria:

• B.Sc or HND in Accounting
• Minimum of three years’ post NYSC work experience in Accounting or Finance role
• Experience in managing and supporting partner organisations with financial management
• Accounting experience in an international development organisation
• Strong working knowledge of one or more accountancy software applications
• Able to effectively plan, prioritize, and organise self in order to accomplish work.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate information and ideas clearly to others.
• Good analytical thinking skills, able to analyse information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in information processing, including compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying data.
• A proactive approach, willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges, and actively work towards improvements and resolutions
• Good interpersonal skills, able to support, challenge and influence effectively in order to maintain good relationships and ensure quality in delivery
• Excellent computer skills, particularly Excel & Word (MS Office in general)
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.

Desirable Criteria:

• ICAN or ACCA Membership, or at an advanced stage in obtaining these
• Strong knowledge of fund accounting regulations for non-profit organisations
• Knowledge of SUN System

Application Closing Date
Friday, 9th November, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.