Finance and Administration Director at Lutheran World Relief

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is implementing a food for Progress Program to launch a cocoa productivity and marketing project in Nigeria Known as, the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems of Nigeria (TRACE) under the sponsorship of USDA. The five-year project is to increases productivity in the cocoa value chain by applying climate smart agriculture and expands the cocoamarket through traceability back to its source.

Job Position: Finance and Administration Director – Nigeria

Job Location: Akure, Ondo

Job Description

1. The Finance and Administration Director leads the finance and administration team to ensure quality monitoring, management, and reporting on all USDA project funds, and oversees administration, logistics and office management for the implementation of the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems (TRACE) Project in Nigeria. S/he will ensure each financial or administrative transaction complies with terms and conditions of the donor, is in compliance with US Government rules and regulations for federal awards, meets local tax laws and other regulations, follows Corus’s policies and procedures, and is in alignment with approved budgets. S/he provides the COP with guidance on administrative and financial matters.
2. Candidates should have strong experience in the areas of: grant management, accounting and audits, as well as be an expert in US Government regulations related and Government of Nigeria regulations governing all aspects of financial and administrative management and oversight of development programs.

Position Summary

1. The Finance and Administration Director, based in Akure, Ondo State, will be responsible for overall financial management and compliance of the project.
2. The position will ensure all records are audit ready, establish cost and financial fiscal controls, and enforce stringent international financial and auditing standards.
3. S/He will review, and audit documents generated to ensure adherence to accounting practice and US government law, Corus’s policies and procedures as well as local labor laws and conditions.

Key Result Areas:

1. To ensure proper accounting of Corus assets and liabilities in accordance with accepted accounting practice and US government law.
2. To ensure that systems and procedures relating to office administration and human resources management are in place and implemented in accordance with Corus policies and procedures.

Job Responsibilities
Financial Management and Accounting:

1. Develop annual budgets, activity budgets, and partner budgets for approval by the COP.
2. Ensure all project costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable to the project.
3. Monitor project budgets, spending, and communicate issues and make recommendations for action.
4. Ensure all Corus and donor financial management, accounting, travel and other relevant policies and procedures are followed.
5. Ensure that issues relating to taxes are addressed and all taxes are paid when due
6. Ensure that transactions and reconciliations are properly recorded in QuickBooks working in collaboration with the finance and administration team by the monthly deadline.
7. Prepare timely fund requests and reports to Corus headquarters.
8. Manage required internal and external audit procedures, including preparation of terms of reference, assistance to auditors, and implementation of audit recommendations. Oversee timely and thorough sub-recipient financial support and monitoring are completed, including budget preparation and management, fund requests, compliance review, report submission and other relevant actions.

Administrative Functions:

1. Ensure sub-office leases are up to date.
2. Oversee the procurement of project goods and services according to LWR policy and donor regulations. Verify the quality of goods and services delivered and that vendors are paid according to their contracts.
3. Make sure that all property inventories accurately reflect the status of LWR assets at all times.
4. Ensure new staff are onboarded and departing employees are offboarded according to LWR standards and local labor laws.
5. Maintain personnel files including contractual documents, employee action forms, and performance evaluations.
6. Oversee monthly payroll functions. Ensure administrative and residence formalities are in order for expatriate project staff.
7. Oversee vehicle management (cars and motorcycles), including ensuring proper orientation and supervision of drivers, vehicle logs are accurate, registration and insurance are kept up to date, regular maintenance is carried out, and LWR and rental vehicles are used in the most efficient manner.
8. Supervise support to sub-grantees to ensure their administrative functions complies with donor requirements, especially procurement and human resource management.

Supervisory:

1. Under the supervision of the Chief Of party, the Finance and Administration Director will provide leadership and technical supervision related to finance and administrative functions of the project.
2. Provide day-to-day supervision to the Finance Manager and the Administration Officer with indirect, remote supervision of Finance and Administration Officers in sub-offices.
3. Conduct performance planning and annual evaluations of direct reports.
4. Identify areas of growth for and provide staff development opportunities to direct reports.

Job Requirements

• Graduate Degree in Accounting, Finance and / or Business Administration (BAC + 4, or higher).
• Formal accounting certificate demonstrating attainment of top level of accounting skill.
• 8-10 years of experience for financial management and administration of development projects, with at least 2 years’ experience managing large US government funded projects.
• Experience with accounting/finance in an overseas field office on development projects with budgets over $20 million dollars.

Qualifications:

1. Commitment to the values of Corus and be able to model these values in dealings with colleagues and partners: accompaniment, gratitude, vocation, stewardship and innovation. Understanding and commitment to development and agriculture in Nigeria.
2. Extensive knowledge of US Government policies, procedures, procurement practices, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements. In particular, familiarity with cost accounting practices and OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements, 2 CFR 200.
3. Proven management/supervisory of field teams in financial capacity.
4. Knowledge of and experience with accounting software packages and related report writing modules. Working proficiency with databases, spreadsheets (Excel), QuickBooks, and Microsoft Office.
5. General knowledge of tax laws and local financial, accounting, and human resource practices.
6. Professional proficiency in English and French required.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues.
8. Attention to detail, strong analytical and organizational skills.
9. Ability to travel to project sites within Nigeria at least 25% of one’s time.

Other Duties:

1. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor. Global positions that are bound by contracts will not be changed without notice and approval.
2. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
3. The duties of the job require regular attendance of at least 5 days/week. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required. Corus has a hybrid work policy, allowing 50 percent of work to be done remotely.
4. This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in different locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Zero Tolerance to Abuse:

1. As a member of the Corus Family, each employee is expected to:
2. Help to develop and maintain an environment that welcome and develop a diverse workforce.
3. Foster a work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
4. Support employees’ evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
5. Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of Corus family, stakeholders in general, and particularly for the communities we serve.
6. Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
7. Adhere to the Organizational Core Values of Inclusion, Disruptive, Interconnected and Agile.
8. Corus International prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by U.S. or International law.

Application Deadline
31st January, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: fwilson@lwr.org using the job title as he subject of the mail.