Project / Grant Accountant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project / Grant Accountant – (Nigeria Nationals Only)

Job Code: 2200000L
Location: Abuja (FCT)

Background

• CRS Nigeria is implementing the Development of Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (DCSE) component of Building Economically Sustainable Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) in Benue and Kogi State.
• BASICS-II is being implemented by a consortium of organisations led by IITA and covers the entire cassava seed value chain, ranging from breeder to farmer seed.
• The project’s vision is to provide farmers with access to affordable, quality-assured seeds of the cassava varieties in demand by local food and processor markets through the establishment of a commercially viable seed value chain operating across breeder, foundation, and commercial seed levels.
• This value chain will enable more efficient dissemination and adoption of new varieties to improve productivity, raise incomes of cassava growers and seed entrepreneurs, enhance gender equity, and contribute to inclusive agricultural transformation in Nigeria and Tanzania.
• The DCSE component of the BASICS-II project which is being implemented by CRS will include the aggregation of Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) and cover production and marketing of certified planting materials of improved cassava varieties to farmers within and outside of Kogi and Benue states.
• In implementing the component, CRS will identify, train and work with the Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) to plan and organize their seed production and marketing activities.
• They will be supported to be organized as formidable Seed Entrepreneurs Networks (SENs) operational in the implementation states.
• The strategic objective of the DCSE component for Nigeria is to more than double the number of decentralized, commercially viable seed enterprises in Nigeria, while they increase in average size and aggregate into associations to facilitate marketing, quality control, and other services.

Job Summary

• You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the Building Economically Sustainable Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) project / grant policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable.
• You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the project / grant financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the project / grant life cycle.
• Note: Depending on the project / grant portfolio (scope and complexity), the Project / Grant Accountant can be assigned responsibility for delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project/grant subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project/grant accounts in Insight.
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project/grant staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist project/grant staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to project/grant staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Perform assigned treasury project/grant (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Financial Management:

• Assist the Senior Program Manager in Budget Review and Quarterly Cash Forecasting.
• Report Sub-Agreement commitments to be recorded in CRS accounting system.
• Review and process the issuance of project advances in accordance with CRS and Donor Policies and Procedures.
• Ensure Project Holder advances are liquidated on timely manner, and they are within allotted liquidation time frame as per CRS policy.
• Assist in the Preparation of Detailed Project Budget vs. Actual Comparison Report, including Sub-recipients Expenditures for Program and Management Review on monthly basis.
• Assist in the preparations of Donor Financial Reports timely, accurately and in accordance with terms and conditions outlined in the grant agreement.
• Provide information to project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.

Compliance Management:

• Verify sub-recipients’ financial reports and associated support documentations and recommend for liquidation and/or reimbursement in accordance with Donor, CRS policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Report any fraudulent activities, observed as part of the review to the Senior Program Manager and Head of Finance and Grants immediately.
• Ensure Sub-recipients advances are liquidated on timely manner, and they are within allotted liquidation timeframe as per CRS policy.
• Prepare Sub-recipients Aging Report for Program and Management Review on monthly basis.
• Provide onsite training to sub-recipient’s finance staff when required.
• Travel to the field, to visit sub-recipient when required.
• Ensure Project’s files both in hard and electronic copies are up to date.
• Work with the Senior Program Manager to document project files, a justification for delays in; Issuing project advances; and Liquidating the advances; so as to improve partner monitoring and follow up processes.

Sub-recipients Financial Assessment, monitoring, and Financial Support:

• Lead the assessments of all sub-recipients using HQ Finance’s checklists to have a stratification of the sub-recipients for Country Program.
• Assist the sub-recipients in preparing a Corrective Action Plan within sixty calendar days of the assessment or monitoring visit that addresses each of the identified weaknesses in any of the ten assessed areas scored below 75%.
• Assist the Senior Program Manager in making sure that the sub recipients address all issues listed in the Corrective Acton Plan on a timely manner.
• Ensure sub-recipients have in place and adheres to a schedule of planned monitoring visits of sub-recipients during each year. The basis for the selection, timing and frequency of its monitoring visits should be properly documented.
• Work with the Senior Program Manager to ensure financial monitoring, including site visits, of sub-recipient activities. The trip reports must indicate the monitoring steps performed, the processes reviewed, and the result of the testing and reviews.
• Analyze monitoring reports on a timely manner for further follow-up and record for at least three years after the related grant or project has expired.
• Archive sub-receipts reports and contracts to CRS system.

Financial Reporting:

• In collaboration with the Head of Finance and Grants, play active part during monthly/annual financial reporting closure.
• Liaise with the project team on deliverables required to meet month/year end closure timelines.
• Liaise with the other departments on deliverables required to meet month end closure timelines such as review of VMS and Insight reconciliation, monthly personal vehicle usage computation and preparing the facility allocation table, monthly severance accruals and other assigned deliverables.

Audit:

• Ensure Project documents both Programming and Financial Records are readily available for internal/external reviewers.
• Attend and facilitate Donor Representatives, especially Financial Reviewers when required.
• Assist the Senior Program Manager in the follow up and closure of the CP internal and external audit findings associated with local partners.

Required Languages:

• English. Knowledge of local languages in Benue and/or Kogi State preferred but not required.

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Senior Program Manager for Agriculture, State Program Manager, Finance Manager, Finance Unit, Administration, M&E, Audit, DCR Programs, DCR Operations, Country Representative, as well as other relevant regional and HQ operations and Technical Staff.
• External : Justice, Peace and Development Commissions of the Catholic Church (JPDCs), other Implementing Partner Organizations (National Root Crop Research Institute – NRCRI, National Agricultural Seeds Council – NASC, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – IITA, IITA GoSeed, Umudike Seed, Sahel Consulting, Agricultural Development Program – ADP, Seed Entrepreneurs and Farmer Groups/Organizations), Partner finance staff, Agro-processors, Seed Entrepreneur Networks, representatives of other NGOs, Donors, Researchers, and Private Sector.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (ICAN/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of four years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Membership of a professional body in Accounting, Finance or Economics is an added advantage.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.
• Good interpersonal skills including ability to work with multiple stakeholders successfully and to create linkages.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Disclaimer:

• This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

Deadline: 31st January, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
• All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
• CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.
• CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.