Finance Assistant (Associate) at Christian Aid (CA)

Christian Aid (CA) is a UK-based international NGO, partnering with others to end poverty in Africa. At the heart of this vision is the transformation of the lives of people who live in poverty, empowering them to have a brighter future. Christian Aid works in more than 30 countries and has been operating in Nigeria since 2003. The Nigeria Country programme focuses on Community Health and HIV, Accountable Governance including humanitarian response and Gender.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Finance Assistant (Associate)
Job Locations: Benue, Jos, Kaduna
Type of contract: Fixed Term
Contracted hours: 35
Contract length: 1 year
Reports to (Job Title): Finance Coordinator
Matrix manager if applicable (Job Title): N/A
Expected travel per annum: Occasional travel

Role Purpose

• To support CA financial management functions at the field offices and ensure that adequate financial records are kept at field offices and payment requests are processed on a timely basis.
• The finance associates will be responsible for preparing financial documentation including cheques, petty cash reimbursement, petty cash advances and all staff floats.
• The role is required to be familiar with CA and donor financial compliance requirements and to ensure that these are operationalised in the field office they are responsible for.

Role Context

• Based in Kaduna, Benue and Plateau States. This role is part of the wider CA Nigeria Team. It is responsible for the financial management within CA Sub-Offices in the 3 states which will include financial records, financial reports, budgets, donor reporting, internal and external audits and providing financial support to Christian Aid partner staff as may be required. This role reports to the Finance Coordinator.

Key Outcomes

• Cash, bank books and other financial documentation is maintained and reconciled on a monthly basis.
• Monthly expenditure reports and cash forecasts are submitted to Finance Coordinator on a timely basis.
• Field Office budgets are reviewed, updated and administered accurately.
• Christian Aid and donor financial policies and procedures are complied with.
• Timely submission of reports to line manager to enable final reports to be prepared on a timely basis.

Role Requirements
Relationships (Key relationships, frequency of contact, purpose of contact (liaison/influencing/negotiating etc.):

• External: Maintains and builds relationships with donors, third parties, suppliers and other relevant external agencies
• Internal: The position is line managed by the Finance Coordinator. However, for day to day operational issues, the Associate will report to the most senior CA staff in the field office. The role links up strongly with the Abuja Finance Team,particularly the Finance Coordinator,Grants Coordinator and Finance Manager.

Decision Making:

• Make decisions to assist in the smooth running of financial processing. Providing advice on financial policies and procedures to local Christian Aid staff. Support the maintenance of all financial records.

Analytical Skills:

• Ability to apply logical thinking and common sense to routine work in a specific area. Occasionally providing analysis or advice on financial matters.

Developing Self and Others:

• Will familiarise self with CA policies to ensure that field office and staff based there are complying.

Person Specification
Applied skills/knowledge and expertise:

• First Degree in Accounting - Essential
• 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role - Essential
• Experience working with institutional donors, particularly ECHO - Essential
• Experience working with an Accounting software, preferably SUN - Essential
• At the early stages of an IFAC accountancy qualification. - Desirable

IT competency required:

• Basic

Competency Profile
Level 1: You are expected to be able to:

• Build partnerships: Work in a reliable, helpful and cooperative way with all colleagues and provide help to others without needing to be asked. Willingly participate in team work and contribute ideas, including those that may be beyond your own or your team’s role. Keep others informed about what is going on in your own work area. Treat everyone with courteousness, dignity and respect, accepting that people are different and have different views. Act and behave consistently with what you say.
• Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. Pass on a clear message or information promptly and accurately. Ask additional questions to clarify when needed. Explain things simply and in a different way if someone appears not to have understood. Be aware of how your actions and words impact on others and adapt if necessary.
• Steward resources: Use resources economically, whether these are Christian Aid resources or wider environmental resources. Recognise that time is a resource and take responsibility for managing your time effectively.
• Deliver results: Agree your work plan, keep track of your own progress and keep others informed. Check the quality of your own work and deliver to expectations. Seek clarification and support from your manager when needed and to ensure appropriate sign-off. Respond promptly to the requests of others, seeking guidance on priorities and workload when needed. Consider the consequences of your actions, including the impact on your work and colleagues. Take personal responsibility for your actions.
• Realise potential: Question and ask for information and advice to address your own knowledge and skills gaps in order to learn. Regularly ask for and act on feedback on own performance. Assist others by showing how to complete tasks. Demonstrate concern for the well-being of others. Act and behave consistently in line with Christian Aid’s values.
• Strive for improvement: Demonstrate openness to change. Respond quickly and helpfully to new initiatives. Find ways to make improvements in your work. Show initiative when faced with problems. Willingly share knowledge and information that may help others.

Salary
N2,740,866.

Interview Date
26th April, 2018.

Click here to view more information