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POSITION : Finance Manager - Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP)

Purpose of Job

• To manage all financial aspects of the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme to agreed client and corporate standards using appropriate policies and procedures.

Context and Environment
NSRP is a DFID-funded programme managed by the British Council that aims to enhance collective efforts to identify and respond effectively to potential sources of violent conflict in Nigeria and reduce the negative impacts of conflict on the most vulnerable among the Nigerian population.

NSRP supports interventions to address conflicts at the national level and in 8 target states, namely Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Rivers and Yobe. The programme has its headquarters in Abuja and also operates from four regional offices in Jos (Middle Belt), Kano (North West), Maiduguri (North East) and Port Harcourt (Niger Delta). Regional Manager will be based in the North East regional office in Maiduguri and will be required to travel to Abuja and other regional offices occasionally.

Accountabilities

• Financial Control and ComplianceEnsuring that programme’s financial systems and
• procedures are compliant with corporate, client and statutory standards
• Financial Risk Management-application of appropriate risk management measures
• Financial reporting - Responsible for the preparation and production of accurate and timely programme financial information, statements and reports
• Generating financial data for Value for money reporting for the programme-

Responsibilities and Main Duties

Financial management and control - 25%
Management of all aspects of financial management and control for the programme, ensuring that control checks are adhered to in Abuja and State offices. Responsibility for ensuring that all internal and external programme audits achieve at least a satisfactory result. Production and maintenance of the programme Delegations of Authority, financial handbooks and accounting policies. 
Duties Include :

• Oversight of all banking and financial operations (as managed by the Deputy Finance Manager and Finance Officer), including programme reconciliations, vendor down-payments, cash-flow and handling, remittances to other offices and posting of journals, management of cash imprest accounts, reconciliations of receipts, expenditure and banking in Abuja and in the States.
• Oversight of all NSRP and financial processes including: production of monthly payroll and all payments to tax office, supervision of the preparation of all purchase orders and cheques, supervision of posting of expenditures into SAP accounts, production of management reports from SAP and reconciliation of all SAP reports, supervision of production of office cash-flow forecasts, managing remittance process with BC office, cash withdrawals from the bank, bank account reconciliations.
• Production of monthly management reports for NSRP Senior Management team (SMT), including value for money (VFM) ratios for the quarterly reports and annual reviews.
• Oversight of all aspects of staff and consultants travel and expenses (T&E) and audit of T&E envelopes

Contract invoicing and financial reporting - 20%
Support the Operations Manager with the management of the invoicing and financial reporting process, including support for the following:

• Expenditure and income, forecasting and uplift management
• Update the management information system spread sheet for the purposes of preparing the monthly invoices and other management information.
• Creation of sales order.
• Support contract amendments, as appropriate

Management of grant disbursement and reconciliation - 15%

• Support the Deputy Programme Manager (Resources) in the management of the programme’s grant processes:
• Involve in the reconciliation of grant documents submitted by grantees during retirements.
• Assist in the audit of grantees where required
• Assist in the financial training of grantees during the programme’s quarterly coordination meetings for grantees

Statutory and corporate compliance - 15%:

• Manage and lead the Financial Control and Compliance Framework (FCCF). Responsible for completing and uploading NSRP FCCF reports on the portal.
• Act as the first point of contact in relation to processes involving external financial institutions and statutory bodies (banks, tax authorities, etc) and advise the programme on existing and new statutory or corporate obligations

Training and Development - 15%:

• Deliver financial training programmes to team members to ensure that all staff are fully trained in relation to their financial responsibilities and that staff in all offices are fully conversant with both
• State, client and corporate financial systems and procedures
• Act as SAP power-user to help colleagues develop their understanding of SAP systems and processes
• Participate as trainer in the induction trainings for new staff as it relates to NSRP financial and compliance policies.

Human Resource Management - 10%:

• Lines manage the Deputy Finance Manager and Finance Officer to corporate human resources standards.

Key Relationships

• Internal: CD Nigeria; Programme Manager; Deputy Programme Manager (Resources), Deputy Programme Manager (Results) Operations Manager; Regional FCR Unit; E&S SBU
• External: External relationship management where appropriate (i.e. linked to function of role), to include: the client (DFID), external partner organisations; state institutions, etc.

Other Important Features or Requirements of the Job

• Periodic travel to high-risk areas is likely to be necessary following close liaison with British High Commission /BC/DFID.
• Regular unsocial and over-hours will be required to meet operational requirements of the post and programme.

Person Specification
Essential:

• Creating Shared Purpose (Essential). Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together.
• Connecting with others (More demanding). Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.
• Working Together (More demanding). Ensuring that others benefit as well as me.
• Being Accountable (Most demanding). Showing real dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council or the team
• Making it Happen (More demanding). Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.
• Shaping the Future (Essential). Looking for ways in which we can do things better

Skills and Knowledge:

• Managing Finance and Resources - level 3
• Anlysing Data and Problems - level 3
• Planning and Organising - level4
• Using Technology - level 3
• Managing People - level 3

Experience
Managing Finance and Resources:

• 5 years’ experience in managing financial management systems and controls.

Managing People:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a managerial role.

Qualifications

• First Degree or equivalent plus  Professional Accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA) or equivalent