Finance Officer

Job Type: Full Time

Qualification: Bachelors, MBA/ MSc/MA

Experience: 2 -5 years

Location: Markudi, Benue State

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian NGO and has been operating in Nigeria since 2012 and is looking for a Finance Officer to be based in Benue state, covering Benue/Ebonyi states to support the implementation of a rapid COVID response program through Mercy Corps’ USAID Feed the Future-funded Rural Resilience Activity. The rapid response program will support vulnerable populations and livelihoods through Cash for Work and strengthen supply chains through smart Cash Subsidies.

Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance and Compliance Manager, the Finance Officer will assist in the accounting and documentation of all financial transactions in timely and accurate manner for Benue and Ebonyi States from the Makurdi Office.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Management

1. Maintain the bank file, ensuring that all bank information is properly filed and updated
2. Responsible for office cash level oversight, coordination of monthly cash needs for the programs and submission of cash flow projection to Abuja office for both Benue and Ebonyi States
3. Ensure that the office cash management is in compliance with the Cash Transfer Policy
4. Monitor the cash advance tracking sheet and prepare past due advance report for the Finance Manager and ensure advance reconciliation with general ledger records
5. Process bank payments via online banking, checks or wire transfers.
6. Prepare payment/cash vouchers and ensure that all transactions are properly and fully documented and recorded on daily basis
7. Support the Finance and Compliance Manager with Cash Transfers Program (CTP) strategies by participating in key programmatic initiatives through advice on financial monitoring, reporting and accounting.
8. Review transactions and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness and compliance with MC policies
9. Post all transactions to the Navigator for both Benue and Ebonyi states.
10. Prepare the monthly bank reconciliations
11. Assist in balance sheet account reconciliations, preparation of journal entries and prepaid account amortizations as part of month end closeout process
12. Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps policies, donor rules and regulations and compliance with local laws
13. Responsible for timely, accurate and fully documented reconciliation of distributions under Cash Transfer Programming as per Mercy Corp SOP and manual
14. As required, conduct site visits and provide support to voucher distribution process
15. Prepare photocopies and scans of vouchers and other supporting documents required for HQ and donor reporting
16. Assist with addressing audit related requests
17. File all cash and bank vouchers and maintain voucher filing system (hard copy & electronically) according to MC procedures
18. In absence of Finance Assistant, Finance Officer will fill in the gap with support from other finance team members
19. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
20. Other duties as assigned.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility: Finance Assistant

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Finance and Compliance Manager

Works Directly with: Finance, Operations and Program staff within Mercy Corps Nigeria

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Two or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double-entry accounting
• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field
• Experience on cash transfer programming
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
• Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software
• Strong organizational skills as well as attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written English skills

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required. A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.