Senior Finance Director at Creative Associates - LEARN to Read Project

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department.Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Finance Director

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

Program Description

• Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching (Adamawa) and technical assistance (On Demand States), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils.
• The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform.
• The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains.
• LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Responsibilities

• The Sr Finance Director will provide overall financial management and oversight for the USAID funded project and will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP).
• This position will also be a liaison with headquarters to ensure full compliance with regulations and policies related to the implementation of effective internal controls.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain financial management and accounting control systems for program expenditures
• Ensure that the project meets all donor contractual requirements and complies with donor policies and regulations
• Ensure accurate and timely information is provided, to assist in the day-to-day management of the project and to drive management, strategic and budgetary decisions;
• Ensure project liquidity and establish appropriate checks and balances to mitigate financial risks and conflicts of interest
• Track the transfer of funds between headquarters and the field office and manage accounting and finance records of in-country expenses, including developing tracking and monitoring all financial project activities, and maintaining current project expense data
• Oversee all finances for the project including budgets and grants.
• Ensure all financial records are audit ready, establish cost and fiscal controls and enforce stringent international financial & auditing standards that ensure efficiency, accountability and compliance
• Lead the development of the monthly projections, annual budget, forecasts, pipeline analysis, budget realignment, fund obligation requests and support the development of the annual workplan
• Direct the formation and implementation of financial, compliance policies and procedures, guiding policy decisions and providing technical expertise
• Provide guidance to support teams on compliance requirements of client, local tax and labor laws
• Ensure all procurement processes are fair and transparent, reviewing financial compliance, and monitoring subcontract implementation
• Verify all the project procurements prior to execution and determine source selection methods for complex procurements to ensure compliance with Creative polices and USG rules and regulations
• Verify USG vetting clearance for all the vendors selected for the project procurements
• Manage finance personnel and payroll office staff and procedures
• Develop and implement financial procedures manual
• Provide financial management and systems training for project staff
• Lead on all financial close-out of project activities and ensure complete documentation is secured
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Business, Financial Management or related field with 10+ years of work experience is required
• ACA / ACCA / CPA certification highly required.
• Previous financial management of a donor-funded project in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Public or private sector management, financial analysis, cost accounting and relevant experience preferably in developing countries
• Demonstrated capacity to supervise a complex financial management or general ledger system
• Competent in using computers and financial software
• Experience managing teams
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Excellent written and spoken English essential
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks
• Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team

Application Closing Date
22nd May, 2024.

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

Note

• Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
• Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
• Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.