Finance Assistant

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.  

DRC has been operating in the West Africa region for over 15 years, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and a Regional Office (RO) in Abidjan. DRC has 17 offices and more than 500 staff members across the WA region.

DRC started operating in Nigeria in 2015 where plans to run a combination of emergency, livelihood, WASH, protection and advocacy programmes has been set. DRC currently has offices in Abuja, Yola, Mubi, Maiduguri and Yobe.

The position

Supports the preparation of financial statements and maintenance of cash controls. Works within the financial procedures of DRC, municipal policies and procedures and in compliance with all national acts and legislation. The Finance Assistant supports the Finance Officer with reports for senior management in-country.

Key roles

Responsibilities: 

Cash Management

• Support the Finance Officer to Ensure weekly cash forecast/requirements are compiled for all departments and shared with Head of Base
• Support the Finance Officer to Follow up with the bank on receipt of funds from Country Office.
• Ensure adequate Petty cash is kept in office to cater small-time expenditures as per the Finance procedures.

Accounting Management:

• Follow up with the staff and ensure the cash advances are settled within two weeks.
• Reconcile various pending advances in the ledger and ensure proper and timely settlement and reports to be submitted to HoB/HoFA
• Conduct weekly cash counts for office and submit the cash count sheets to HoB/HoFA.
• Prepare monthly cash counts for office on the last working day of the month and submit to HoB/HoFA
• Support the Finance Officer to update commitment cash book in coordination with Administration, Procurement/Logistics departments, bi-weekly to ensure all Finance obligations are entered in the cash book.
• Support the Finance Officer to prepare cash book for office as per the Finance calendar
• Ensure payment documents are scanned and sent to Country Office
• Support the Finance Officer to ensure that statutory deductions are paid to relevant authorities on time to avoid any penalties.
• Support the Finance Officer in liaison with the Logistics department, prepare commitment lists every month for financial obligations already entered into but not captured in financial reports.

Other:

• Serve as a technical resource person for the Finance department.
• Produce monthly and quarterly reports as required by HoB/HoFA/management as and when required.
• Assist in budget preparation at field level.
• Report to the HoB any irregularities that occur within the DRC office, staff compound and sites on DRC policy and procedures.
• Follow any new procedures and guidelines designated in circulars from Country Director/HoFA/RO and HQ.             

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Key Requirements

• At least two years’ work experience in the field of finance/accounting/bookkeeping in an INGO or the commercial sector.
• Hands-on experience/skills in MS Excel (experience in working with formulas)

Desirable:

• University degree in Finance/Accounting/Commerce/Business Administration.
• Excellent organizational skills, self-motivated, proactive and able to accomplish set deadlines.

Willing to meet deadlines with minimum supervision

Conditions

Availability: ASAP

Salary and conditions: In accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment;

The income will be subject to statutory deductions as per applicable Nigeria laws. The employee is responsible for tax returns.

How to apply

The position is for NIGERIAN NATIONALS ONLY.

Application method

• CV and Cover Letter indicating and explaining the suitability to the position applied.

Deadline date. 20th February 2020 Applications sent/received after the deadline will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the post may be filled before the deadline.

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for a written test and oral interview.

Note: DRC-DDG Nigeria does not charge any fees for recruitment and does not use any employment mediator.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk