Tearfund is a Christian international relief and development agency working globally to end poverty and injustice, and to restore dignity and hope in some of the world’s poorest communities.

We have a vision to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty through a worldwide network of 100,000 local churches. We operate in more than fifty countries around the world. 

We are committed to developing experts who are inspired, resourceful, courageous, compassionate and equipped. If you are interested in working with us, take time to look around our website and discover more about our unique organisation.

POSITION : Finance Adviser

Job Overview

As part of West African Team, to provide Finance and Accounting management support and capacity building functions to Tearfund Humanitarian Partners to ensure procurement and financial procedures and systems for procurement and financial management and control are properly followed and in compliance with Tearfund and donor requirements.

Position in Organisation

Reports to the Disaster Response Manager;
As part of the West African team, closely coordinates with the following people:
Partners: Top management including Disaster Response Officer and Finance officer;
Tearfund: Nigeria Country Representative, Nigeria Country Administrator, WCA Geographical Regional Finance Team.
Finance Adviser will have complementary functions with Nigeria Country Administrator from whom he/she will requisition for funds for Yola project site and will have dotted line communication on other pertinent business that touches on Tearfund humanitarian partners;
Liaises closely with Audit staff (internal and external); The Country Representative remains responsible for the overall relationship with each individual agreed Humanitarian Partner, and for the allocation and disbursement of programme budgets.
Grade: 4

Organizational Requirements

The post holder will be required to actively participate in the spiritual life of Tearfund in the following ways:
To model godly leadership in all aspects of character and behaviour
To lead or contribute to Christian worship, prayer, teaching and Biblical reflection during staff prayer times
To be committed to and share in the outworking of Tearfund’s Mission, Purpose, Values and statement of faith
To pursue and maintain Christian faith through ongoing personal spiritual development and relationship with God.

Key Responsibilities 

Programme Strategy, Planning, Training & Support (25%):

Assist humanitarian partners in all financial aspects of the strategic planning process;
Assist humanitarian partners in planning and preparing annual programme budgets and operating plans;
Identify and assist in meeting the financial training needs of humanitarian partners;
Develop an action plan with humanitarian partners to build financial reserves;
Review audited accounts and give an independent opinion, advising Humanitarian partners and Tearfund on items that may require further disclosure by the partners;
Work alongside Humanitarian Partner Project and Finance officers by supporting them to implement efficient financial systems and provide training on how to develop budgets and reporting in accordance with required institutional donor formats;
Support Tearfund Nigeria programme staff on managing their project budgets.
Supporting Tearfund Nigeria programme in developing project proposals, and reporting to institutional donors / Tearfund HQ.

Financial Management Support (25%):

Review humanitarian partner financial and procurement procedures and control systems in compliance with Tearfund and donor requirements;
Facilitate generation of humanitarian partner monthly budget monitoring reports and appropriately advise all stakeholders;
Prepare donor financial reports with emphasis on the final reports ensuring that they meet all donor reporting requirements.

Accounting & Management Support (25%):

In close liaison with the Country Representative and Disaster Response Manager, ensure that effective budgetary control is undertaken by humanitarian partners through regular review of documentation, highlight key variances, reasons for these and any remedial action that may be required;
Monitor and control current expenditure to ensure that it stays within available funding and agreed budgets.
Highlight, as appropriate, under / over spends and agree required actions, follow up to ensure identified risks are managed appropriately;
Coordinate and oversee humanitarian partners budgeting, cash forecasts and ensure that procedures are understood;
Support humanitarian partner finance officers in the production of project budgets and proposals;
Review and advice on all financial aspects of proposal budgets;
Support humanitarian partners to maintain a set of complete and accurate financial records, including all relevant supporting documentation for project(s).

Financial Processes (10%):

Manage the day-to-day functions of Tearfund Yola Finance unit including cash disbursements, cash receipts, banking, collection and payment of relevant taxes to the authorities and other finance-related tasks;
Compile Tearfund Yola project office monthly cash reports and returns to Tearfund Country office in Jos;
Establish an effective filing system that provides easy access to finance related information and proper documentation of all financial and contractual transactions;
Coordinate all banking business including requisition for funds from the Country Office
Responsible for the Yola month end and financial year end processes, reconciliations and supporting audits

Good Practice & Institutional Learning (5%):

Ensure humanitarian partners implement and adopt all relevant audit recommendations within ongoing operating procedures;
Encourage good financial and accounting management practice throughout the programme and assist in identifying issues/themes that would improve humanitarian partner and Tearfund policies and procedures.

External Relationships/Representation (10%):

Represent Disaster Response Manager in relevant donor, coordination and consortium meetings as may be required;
Participate and contribute in Team prayers encouraging spiritual well-being for Tearfund and humanitarian partners;
Attend monthly Team meetings at Country office and/or any other designated location.

Qualification
Essential:

Degree or equivalent professional qualification in Finance and Accounting.

Desirable:

Qualified Accountant.

Experience
Essential:

Extensive finance management experience preferably within humanitarian context.
Demonstrated experience in reviewing systems and procedures of finance and procurement controls and supporting improvements.
Demonstrated strategic thinking in finance management and budgeting.
Experience in compiling donor financial reports and ability to develop budgets
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in major donor compliance requirements.
Knowledge of managing financial risks
Experience of working with and partnering with local NGO’s

Desirable:

Proven experience in relief work.
Experience in facilitating audits.
Working in a consortium context.
Experience with QuickBooks software.

Skills and Abilities
Essential:

Strong analytical skills
Strategic thinker
Problem solving skills
Attention to detail
Training and facilitation skills
Excellent communication skills demonstrating ability to relate well to both team members and humanitarian networks.
Strong computer skills including MS Word and Excel
Fluent in written and spoken English
Written and spoken fluency in appropriate local language - Hausa

Desirable:

Planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.

Personal Qualities
Essential:

A strong Christian commitment
Demonstrated ability to self-manage, work independently and meet deadlines
Humanitarian & Christian motivation
Strong commitment to accountability and transparency
Willingness to travel at short notice to project sites and other work related meetings in-country or externally
Commitment to Tearfund Mission, Values and Beliefs Statement
Flexibility and ability to remain calm under pressure

Desirable:

Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues.
Influential, diplomatic and determined.

Potential Interview Date
28th March, 2016.