The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.
In Nigeria, GIZ’s portfolio includes among others, a programme to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its regional integration goals. The programme aims to strengthen sector-specific capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, Customs and Trade as weir as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Finance and Accounts Officer
Location: Lagos
Vacancy No.: 011
Background
- As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
- The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
- The registered offices of GIZ are in Bonn and Eschborn. In 2019, we generated a business volume of around EUR 3.1 billion. Our 22,199 employees, almost 70 per cent of whom are national staff, work in around 120 countries.
- As a recognised development service provider, we currently have 556 development workers in action in partner countries. Furthermore, in 2019, the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM), which is run jointly by GIZ and the German Federal Employment Agency, placed 262 integrated experts and 515 returning experts with local employers in our partner countries, or provided them with financial support, advice or other services. *Personnel and business figures as at 31 December 2019.
Programme
Digital entrepreneurship is the driver of digital change in Africa and especially in Nigeria. Entrepreneurs have the potential to modernize the economies and societies of their countries, to find innovative solutions to development problems, to create new perspectives and employment opportunities.
The aim of the project “Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Nigeria” is to improve the capacities of the innovation ecosystem for the growth of the digital economy in the following areas – policy implementation, performance improvement of organisations and networks service providers of the digital economy and scalable digital solutions.
The project will focus on the following outputs:
- Output 1: Improve cooperation between political actors with those from the private sector, science and research and civil society that are relevant to the innovation ecosystem.
- Output 2: Improve collaboration among Nigerian hubs through the fostering and facilitation of synergies that could promote a focused network of ADIHs and thus offer improved services to MSMEs, which will in turn enable them to benefit from digital innovations.
- Output 3: Improve existing digital solutions. Through the support of research institutions and pan-African networks, start-ups and innovative MSMEs further develop their digital solutions.
- Output 4: Increase women’s skills in using digital solutions and access to resources for economic activities.
Responsibilities
The Finance and Accounts Officer provides support in:
- Maintain financial and management procedures for the project,
- Provide robust and effective financial and accounting system for the project,
- Financial Planning and Budgeting of Project activities,
- Monitoring of credit letters of the project,
- Management of the Bank account of the project,
- Ensuring financial transactions (purchase of consumables, goods and services) and accounting activities of the program, including end of the month account, in accordance with GIZ standards and procedures,
- Checking the consumption of project cars’ fuel/diesel and generators’ diesel,
- Identifying and regular update of the program inventory,
- Ensuring contract management in accordance with GIZ standards procedures
- Identifying relevant problems / issues, assisting in formulating implementation-oriented solutions and dealing with all questions arising in the area of accounting and financial management,
- Application of GIZ operational policies (PuR) and other legislative and regulatory requirements pertaining to project implementation and management.
Tasks
Operations – The Finance and Accounts Officer:
- Works closely with the Project Manager and team to develop budgets to develop sound operational work plans and implementation plans in line with the project indicators and result areas,
- Ensures compliance with all financial and recordkeeping requirements of GIZ and other legislative and regulatory requirements with respect to contracts, applicable taxes etc,
- Evaluates financial risks associated with operational activities and take appropriate action to avoid such risks and ensure accountability and effective implementation.
Effective and accurate financial resource and efficient procurement management – The Finance and Accounts Officer:
- Develops project accounting methodologies for monitoring and reporting costs, commitments and value of work done and implements internal control recommendations effectively,
- Ensures proper budget planning and expenditure tracking of financial resources and monitoring of financial delivery against work plans and preparation of relevant periodic reports,
- Ensures the smooth implementation of project accounting activities, including (but not limited to): timely and accurate bank reconciliations, invoicing, monitoring of expenditure levels against budget and funding obligations,
- Ensure proper management of assets and timely handover where required,
- Coach and support Technical Advisors in monitoring administration and financial process related to activity implementation
- Assume other tasks on instruction from the Team Leader.
Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Qualifications:
- Minimum of University degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field. A Master’s degree in finance or accounting is an added advantage.
- A professional qualification will be an added advantage (ACCA, ICAN etc)
Professional Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years progressive work experience in Finance or Accounting or related profession
- Expertise in procurement of goods and services is of specific importance
- Experience with grants and subsidies
- Experience with GIZ procedures and regulations or with other international organizations is an asset
- Proven experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams is an asset;
Skills, Competencies and other Knowledge:
- Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems, managing files and records, and other office procedures
- A thorough understanding of generally accepted Accounting Principles & Practices and Financial Analysis & Management Standard office practices and procedures
- Knowledge of relevant accounting packages
- Very good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, Outlook)
- Detail-oriented and ability to work under minimal supervision and to show initiative and resourcefulness
- Ability to contribute to complex technical assistance programs/projects and communicate with external partners and stakeholders
- Good decision making and problem-solving skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Good written and oral communication
- Good interpersonal skills and experience in working within a multicultural team
- Excellent planning and organizing skills
- Ability to persist even in the face of challenges and obstacles
- English language proficiency (written and oral) is important for this position. German knowledge is of added value
- Confidential handling of data and information.
Remuneration
According to GIZ Nigeria Salary scale for Band 4
Application Closing Date
22nd February, 2022.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and letter of motivation as one document with complete contact details to: [email protected] using the Vacancy no (011) as the subject of the email.
Note
- GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity.
- All qualified candidates, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race and religion are encouraged to apply.
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
