Finance Officer

 

 

Position Title	Finance Officer
Supervised by	Finance Specialist
Reporting to	Base Manager
Duty Station	Sokoto
Area of Operation	Nigeria
Employment Period	6 Months with possibility of extension.
Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee)	National
Salary & Benefits	NM – H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income generating activities, and wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable, and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.  

DRC has been operating in the West Africa region for over 15 years, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection, and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and a Regional Office (RO) in Abidjan. DRC has 17 offices and more than 500 staff members across the WA region.

DRC started operating in Nigeria in 2015 where plans to run a combination of emergency, livelihood, WASH, protection, and advocacy programmes has been set. DRC currently has offices in Abuja, Yola, Mubi, Maiduguri and planning to run an office in Yobe, besides 50 staff members subject to increase in near future.

Overall purpose of the role: This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities and tasks:

Responsibility 1: Management of the office cash flow include the forecasts.

• Prepare the bank transfer instructions for suppliers’ payment on time for Sokoto office.
• Manage the cash and safe boxes for the cash payment in the office and on the field if required.
• In relation with the DRC programme and support departments of Adamawa, prepare the monthly cash flow forecast and send it to the finance specialist/Finance Coordinator for compilation.
• Ensure good relations with financial partners (banks, PFA, etc.);

Responsibility 2: Hold a cash book and update at a daily basis the ERP-Dynamics system adequately

• Ensures accurately recording of all transactions made by cash or bank, monitors timely receipt and expenditure returns from Program Team and ensures correct data entry and reconciliation in the Cash book and Dynamics.
• Manages daily operation in the area of accounting system which is in line with DRC and Donor’s requirements and ensures the records or entries are up to date in the cash books and Dynamics.
• Complies with Finance and Procurement guidelines when dealing with any transactions.
• Check the justification of operational advances before making payment and ensure of the settlement in a reasonable time.
• Check and control the elements of accounting packages, including the consistency between cash books and Dynamics entries, physical counting, and balances;
• Proceed to the monthly closure of accounting: physical counting, editing of accounting documents (cover sheets), verification of supporting documents;
• Stamp monthly the invoices with the donor stamp and/or the stamp “paid”;
• Ensures proper financial documentation in Sokoto office.

Responsibility 3: Management of financial assets and liabilities of the base

• Records all assets and liabilities in the cash books and Dynamics at Daily basis and follow properly their settlement in Dynamics and the cash book as well.Ensure a monthly reconciliation of all assets/liabilities received from the Headquarter and recorded in Nigeria Legal Entity and especially those of Sokoto Office.

Responsibility 4: Tax deduction and remittance on time

• Ensure that the withholding taxes is well calculated, recorded in the Dynamics System and paid at monthly basis.
• Follow up on the staff statutory and taxes payment at monthly basis and ensure that all receipts are collected and archived.
• Collect the taxes clearance certificate or credit notes when the payment is done.
• With support of Finance specialist and/or Finance Coordinator, takes the role of info-sharing to staff and PFAs in relation to HR matters (PAYE, PENSION, NSITF, NHF Payment).

Responsibility 5: Archiving and Audit Management in Sokoto,

• Ensure that all the supporting documents are attached per transaction in Dynamics.
• Ensure that all supporting (Hard copies) are scanned with covers sheet attached and saved on Nigeria Dropbox, hard drives, etc.
• At monthly basis, ensure that all folders containing finance records from each location are tagged and well arrange in the archive room.
• Participate in audits preparation/execution (compilation of audit requirements)
• Provides feedback and enhances internal controls to satisfy audit requirements; takes part of providing data and records during the audit process; reports immediately on irregular spending to Finance specialist or Finance Coordinator as deemed appropriate.

Other supports required for this position

• Provide technical support to the program/Support team when needed
• Takes part of regular staff meeting and respects to the weekly task report in line with performance management.

 

Job Requirements

Experience and technical competencies:

• Experience working in international Non-Governmental (INGO) with a background in Audit and compliance management is considered as an asset.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in general accounting, finance, and Administration experience is needed
• Ability to work closely and effectively in a team to achieve work priorities and objectives.
• Ability to work with ERP-Dynamics will be an appreciated advantage.
• Enthusiasm as a team player, who is flexible, always ready to take on new challenges and drives for results in a dynamic environment
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and deliver under pressure.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and advise especially to non-finance colleague.
• A Good Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Etc.) is considerable.

 

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Degrees preferably supplemented by technical, or university courses related to Finance, Accounting, administration.

 

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• The knowledge of local Language is also an asset.

 

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values

 

Deadline: Applications close on the 22nd of July 2024 at midnight (GMT time).

Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling bases due to the urgency, therefore a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline.

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk