Country Finance Manager

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assistsrefugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future.We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle.In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions.We work toward successful integration and whenever possible for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental, and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

Background

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998. DRC and its technical unit, the Danish Demining Group (DDG), have had an operational presence in Nigeria since July 2015. DRC has four main offices in Abuja, Yola, Maiduguri, and Mubi and five in deep field locations across Northeast Nigeria including, Mafa, Ngala, Bama, Pulka, and Michika.

Purpose

Danish Refugee Council is currently looking for a Finance Manager in Nigeria. Under the supervision of the Head of Support Services (HoSS), the Finance Manager will ensure that all financial functions in the country programs, including accounting, payments and banking payroll, budgeting, financial reporting (internal and external to donors and government authorities), capacity building of finance team, budgetary management training for support and program teams and grant financial management and compliance are done effectively and on time. The finance manager will manage a team of three staff members (two finance specialists and one finance officer).

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Finance Management are the following:

• Financial Accounting, Management and Reporting
  • In close cooperation with Managers in geographical areas, reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRCs Operations Handbook, internal guidelines, and donor requirements.
• • Ensure that proper financial procedures are adhered to and maintained at the Country Office, in collaboration with Budget Holders and in compliance with DRC rules and regulations.
  • In collaboration with the Head of Support Services, work with and support Budget Holders in budget preparations, realignments, monitoring and follow ups.
  • Ensure day-to-day accounting functions, including regular cash verification, cash/bank reconciliation, monthly cashbooks closing, advances reconciliation, timely submission of accounts to HQ finance desk.
  • Ensure payments to suppliers and recurrent expenditures from the Country Office are made in a timely manner and authorization done as per IDRA and CT authorization.
  • Gather information from the relevant Area Offices to consolidate budgets for project proposals according to projects needs and donor constraints; Propose sufficient program and support budgets including missions investment plans in close collaboration with the Head of Support Services.
  • Ensure a controlled and smooth cash flow management process for Country Program and ensuring all Area Offices have sufficient cashflow for operations.
  • Oversee the management of bank accounts in country office, as well as oversee Cash management and safe(s).
  • Maintenance of the Country Master Budget on a monthly basis and highlighting any foreseen gaps to the Head of Support Services for gap management. Also responsible for dissemination of the same to the respective Area Offices.
• Capacity Development
  • Works closely with the Head of Support Services to implement, improve and maintain financial management policies, systems, structures, and procedures within the Country Office
  • Update the Job descriptions of finance department staff when required.
  • Provide technical support to the Area offices-based finance staff as well as providing leadership to the finance staff in the Country Office.
  • Proactively identify and act upon capacity Building needs of Finance staff based in the Country Office, providing training and other capacity-building where necessary to ensure that finance staff capacity is continuously developing.
  • Conduct on-the-job training for Budget Holders, guiding them through Budgeting, donor compliance and compliance to DRC handbook.
  • Plan field monitoring visits by the Country Office Finance staff to Area and Field office for field teams support
• Technical Line Management Responsibilities
  • Ensure an ongoing, accurate both physical & digital data filing system for all Finance vouchers in the Country Office and relevant documentation in the program finance offices.
  • Ensure master in the DRC Dynamics (ERP) System and responsible for training other finance staff in the Country Office as well as in the Area offices.
  • Manage special projects, assigned by the Head of Support Services.
  • On request, perform any other additional duties assigned by the supervisor(s) in order to allow the organization to function optimally.

Required Qualifications

• • Post graduate University degree in Economics, Finance/Accounting or Business Administration.
  • Minimum 5 years of international practical experience in financial management
  • At least 3 years of experience working with INGOs.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in team management.
  • Proven experience in managing large budgets.
  • Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• • Ability to prepare basic training modules on Dynamics, accounting, and finance management.
  • Excellent Computer Skills (MS Office, Internet) and advanced proficiency in Excel are required.
  • Proficiency (written and spoken) in the English language.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels.
  • Proven significant financial management experience.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets.
• Ability to prepare basic training modules on Dynamics, accounting, and finance management.
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels.
• Proven significant financial management experience.
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g. UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM guidelines
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills.

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employees should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employees should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employees should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employees shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot employ, under an expatriate contract, a citizen of the country in which she/ he is going to be stationed (in such case, the Republic of Nigeria).

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Apply now