Finance Officer – Borno State at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout the world. DRC fulfils its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities in the conflict areas of the world; and by advocating on behalf of conflict-affected populations internationally, and in Denmark, on the basis of humanitarian principles and the Human Rights Declaration. We understand “durable solutions” as any means by which the situation of refugees can be permanently and satisfactorily resolved, enabling them to live normal lives. Durable solutions can be voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement. In Denmark, DRC assists refugees in all aspects of integration as well as asylum procedures. Internationally, DRC actively participates in supporting the protection of refugees, and promoting durable solutions for conflict-affected populations. The DRC’s supreme authority is the Council, which consists of up to three representatives of each member organisation, six representatives of the voluntary groups and refugee counselling organisations cooperating with the Danish Refugee Council, and of the Executive Committee. DRC is an umbrella organisation and is currently consisting of 30 organisation members and voluntary groups, committed to the refugee cause. Membership of the DRC is open to non-party-political, voluntary, nationwide humanitarian and international organisations that work on a democratic basis, and whose aims conform to those of the DRC.

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience: 2 years
Location: Borno
City: Maiduguri
Job Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit , NGO/Non-Profit

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the supervision of the Finance Specialist and Finance Coordinator, the Finance Officer in Maiduguri, assisted by a Finance Assistant, will be in charge of the daily finance and accounting management of Maiduguri base. The Finance Officer will work on overall financial monitoring and support capacity building for Maiduguri office and partners and to practice rigorous financial control mechanism and archiving System. He/she will make sure that financial procedures, policies, and requirements are implemented in compliance with DRC and Donors and to contribute to the achievement of DRC goals and vision.

Responsibilities and tasks:

Management of the office cash flow include the forecasts.
Prepare the bank transfer instructions for suppliers’ payment on time for Maiduguri office.
Manage the cash and safe boxes for the cash payment in the office and on the field if required.
In relation with the DRC programme and support departments of Adamawa, prepare the monthly cash flow forecast and send it to the finance specialist/Finance Coordinator for compilation.
Ensure good relations with financial partners (banks, PFA, etc.).
Hold a cash book and update at a daily basis the ERP-Dynamics system adequately
Ensures accurately recording of all transactions made by cash or bank, monitors timely receipt and expenditure returns from Program Team and ensures correct data entry and reconciliation in the Cash book and Dynamics.
Manages daily operation in the area of accounting system which is in line with DRC and Donor’s requirements and ensures the records or entries are up to date in the cash books and Dynamics.
Complies with Finance and Procurement guidelines when dealing with any transactions.
Check the justification of operational advances before making payment and ensure of the settlement in a reasonable time.
Check and control the elements of accounting packages, including the consistency between cash books and Dynamics entries, physical counting, and balances;
Proceed to the monthly closure of accounting: physical counting, editing of accounting documents (cover sheets), verification of supporting documents;
Stamp monthly the invoices with the donor stamp and/or the stamp “paid”;
Ensures proper financial documentation in Maiduguri office.
Management of financial assets and liabilities of the base
Records all assets and liabilities in the cash books and Dynamics at Daily basis and follow properly their settlement in Dynamics and the cash book as well.
Ensure a monthly reconciliation of all assets/liabilities received from the Headquarter and recorded in Nigeria Legal Entity and especially those of Maiduguri Office.
Tax deduction and remittance on time
Ensure that the withholding taxes is well calculated, recorded in the Dynamics System and paid at monthly basis.
Follow up on the staff statutory and taxes payment at monthly basis and ensure that all receipts are collected and archived.
Collect the taxes clearance certificate or credit notes when the payment is done.
With support of Finance specialist and/or Finance Coordinator, takes the role of info-sharing to staff and PFAs in relation to HR matters (PAYE, PENSION, NSITF, NHF Payment).
Archiving and Audit Management in Maiduguri,
Ensure that all the supporting documents are attached per transaction in Dynamics.
Ensure that all supporting (Hard copies) are scanned with covers sheet attached and saved on Nigeria Dropbox, hard drives, etc.
At monthly basis, ensure that all folders containing finance records from each location are tagged and well arrange in the archive room.
Participate in audits preparation/execution (compilation of audit requirements)
Provides feedback and enhances internal controls to satisfy audit requirements; takes part of providing data and records during the audit process; reports immediately on irregular spending to Finance specialist or Finance Coordinator as deemed appropriate.
Other supports required for this position.
Provide technical support to the program/Support team of Yola base and other bases if required;
Takes part of regular staff meeting and respects to the weekly task report in line with performance management.

Experience and technical competencies:

Experience working in international Non-Governmental (INGO) with a background in Audit and compliance management is considered as an asset.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in general accounting, finance, and Administration experience is needed
Ability to work closely and effectively in a team to achieve work priorities and objectives.
Ability to work with ERP-Dynamics will be an appreciated advantage.
Enthusiasm as a team player, who is flexible, always ready to take on new challenges and drives for results in a dynamic environment
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and deliver under pressure.
Ability to provide technical guidance and advise especially to non-finance colleague.
A Good Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Etc.) is considerable.