Director of Finance at Heifer International

Heifer International is an international development organization dedicated to improving food security and income opportunities for rural families while promoting sound stewardship of natural resources. As a private, non-governmental organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer has created lasting change for farming households in over 125 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe for over 70 years.

Heifer International does so much more than put food in the mouths of hungry people. Heifer helps people feed themselves. The goal of every Heifer project is sustainability – project partners achieving self-reliance. And year after year, as partner families Pass on the Gift of knowledge and one or more of their animals’ offspring to others in need, they become links in a network of hope, dignity and self-reliance that helps hundreds of others care for themselves.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title:  Director of Finance

Job ID: 791
Location: Lagos
Category: Accounting and Finance

Function

• The Director of Finance will oversee all accounting and financial functions of Heifer Nigeria.
• Duties will include management of accounting transactions, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, banking, grant management, compliance and internal control function.
• Responsibilities also include capacity building of staff in the section and involvement in the country senior management team.
• This position will work closely with the Headquarters’ finance team to ensure consistency throughout the organization, while assisting the Country Director to manage office resources in the most effective manner.
• The Director of Finance will also provide adequate accounting information and ensure that the information is maintained in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organization and in accordance with international accounting standards.

Essential Character Traits:

• Financial Acumen; Manages complexity; Decision quality; Directs work; Plans and aligns; Optimizes work processes; Ensures accountability; Collaborates; Builds effective teams; Communicates effectively; Organizational savvy; Courage; Instills trust, Customer Orientation.

Responsibilities & Deliverables
Financial Management (35%):

• Provide financial management and accounting leadership to the Country Office to ensure compliance with Heifer International policies, donor requirements and relevant government authorities.
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, Liaison with external auditors and assess any changes necessary in collaboration with HQ.
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with HQ.
• Administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep senior management at the Country Office abreast of the organization’s financial status.
• Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
• Accountable for establishing and maintaining proactive links with project “partners” to ensure compliance with established processes and procedures with the highest level of accountability.
• Make support visits, audit “partner” organizations, assess how project funds are utilized, and give advice on how to keep books of accounts.

Accounting and Financial Operations (30%):

• Supervise and harmonize all financial operations, ensure that the day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions are performed in accordance with internal policy and procedures.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, donations and receipting.
• Monitor the cash position of the organization.
• Manage and oversee monthly bank reconciliations.
• Manage bank transactions including wire transfers, renewal of Certificates of deposits and keeping track of signing authorities.
• Implement global policies as per HQ timelines.
• Review and account for procurement transactions to ensure adequate supporting documentation, accuracy of amounts, and control over payments.
• Supervise the financial staff and provide guidance and training for their work and encourage their professional growth.

Report Preparation and Presentation (20%):

• Ensure proper and accurate accounting and reporting of all grant and donor funds in accordance with the grant/donor requirements, including all project expenses that are allowable and charged correctly.
• Ensures that all financial reports (budgets and narrative) at country and project offices are compiled and forwarded to the country director, HQ, and Program Directors, as needed.
• Preparation of new budgets during proposal development and budget monitoring report.
• Ensure books of accounts are closed on the 10th of the following month.
• Ensure Donor reports are submitted on due dates as per donor contracts.
• Ensure proper cashflow management at the country office.
• Support the Country Director and Advisory Committee on the external landscape with respect to changing government legislation.
• Ensure regional project offices receive update and reforecast budgets.
• Ensure that donor contracts are adhered to in relation to the  allowability and allocability of expenses.

Financial Control and Risk Management (10%):

• Efficient and effective management of all financial functions of the organization and development of risk management plans.
• Organize donor records, and ensure internal controls are maintained.
• Review, draft, implement and monitor internal controls and financial policies and procedures.
• Develop, implement, adhere to and monitor compliance of financial controls to ensure that the organization is protected from risk.
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organization are met.
• Ensure that the organization makes all required government remittances and remits applicable taxes as needed.
• Continuously monitor and assess the adequacy of country systems and procedures for transparent accounting, financial management and reporting.

May perform other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 15 – 20 years of related experience and 8 years in a senior management role.
• A member of ICCA/ACCA,
• Must be eligible to work in Nigeria.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• Experience in a donor-funded international development environment with compliance requirements of the U.S. government and institutional funders for international development, such USAID, EU, IFAD, DFID, mega-foundations and others.
• Project management experience, with project management certification a plus.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Knowledge of the NGO business sector, including compliance requirements of the government; Knowledge of institutional funders for international development, a plus.
• Ability to navigate financial and non-financial data gathering and analytics; technically adept with ability to quickly learn and maximize usage of technology and software; effective user of Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate skill in MS Excel.
• Effective communicator and influencer with ability to clearly convey complex financial issues to non-finance professions.
• Influencing at all levels of the organization, motivating continuous and collaborative improvement.
• Proficiency in the local country Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Fiscal Statutes and Payroll Management Statutes.
• Experience with accounting systems and systems conversions.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work under pressure, perform multiple tasks and manage competing priorities, comfortable in rapidly changing environment.
• Must be flexible and able to innovate and be agile to handle a variety of situations.
• Ability to effectively mentor and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies. Strong facilitation skills preferred.
• Ability to work with delicate personnel situations and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain close relationships and work with virtual team members.
• Constant face-to-face, electronic and telephone communication with colleagues at different levels of the organization and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability on finance reporting.
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
• Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work in a matrix environment.
• Ability to capacity build; Finance for Non-finance managers/teams.

Deadline: 15th November, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online