Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative is a youth-led, impact-driven, result-oriented, non-profit and non-governmental organization that is committed to alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable and most marginalized people in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization aims to bring about positive changes and to inspire the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, especially women and children, to attain self-reliance and sufficiency while providing access to equal opportunities through advocacy, collaborative networking, capacity building and empowerment. We seek to enhance the ability of our clients to make integrated and right decisions through the many and varied programs that will help them physically, psychologically, and intellectually grow and thrive.

RIA commenced operations fully in Oct. 2020 in Borno State complimenting the efforts of partners and humanitarian actors by providing humanitarian support to unreached internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp-like settings, host communities and returnee populations. We are working consciously hard to improve lives in the following thematic areas, education in emergencies, protection: child protection, gender-based violence and peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and software component of WaSH.

Job Overview/Summary:

Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Nigeria, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management, and ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as RIA’s internal policies and procedures. Provides timely reports and assistance to the Executive Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Major Responsibilities:                                                                                                     

Cash and Bank payment processing.

• Maintain Naira cashbook at the set limits; take responsibility for any cash differences arising.
• Ensure that all cash payments are properly supported and duly authorized per the RIA Initiative delineation schedule before disbursement.
• Ensuring that authorizations on the requests for payments align with the approved limits per the delineation chart.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation reports.
• Supervise cash counts every Friday.
• Process payment to vendors upon reception of their service invoices and receipts promptly.
• Ensure that all services within the budget line are uploaded to QuickBooks and updated at all times.
• Maintain bank information file.
• Participate in the procurement committee sittings.
• Ensure collection of the statement of account monthly.

Payment release:

• Ensure checks registers are recorded sequentially and updated. Separate the Naira and USD checks to maintain sequence.
• A diligent follow-up to ensure fully signed checks are collected by vendors and signed for (ensuring proper identification of the person collecting) and details indicated in the checks release register.
• Provide timely updates to the supervisor on the reason for uncollected checks.

Filing

• Maintain an organized and well-documented (all files must be labeled properly and visibly) and sequential filing system for all cash disbursement vouchers
• Archiving of prior years’ finance documents as instructed by the Finance Officer.

Other Duties

• Support Donor Engagement and Fundraising. Ensure that funds for continuity and scale-up of Programmes/operations are secured at most 6 months into this contract.
•  To be willing and ready to participate in field staff exchange programs as organized by the Finance Officer.
• Attend and participate in training identified/organized by your supervisor
• Follow any new procedures and guidelines designated in circulars from the Chief of Programmes
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor

Compliance:

• Assist the Finance Team to enhance the efficiency of the existing control system and ensure any identified compliance gap is corrected.
• Assist in reviewing monthly financial reports and follow up with other departments for any corrective actions required.
• Set up and maintain filing systems of all protocols and important documents for the project.
• Assist in monitor and following up with any compliance issue when arising.
• Track and ensure all compliance documents such as handover note, distribution list, and attendance sheet is collected and verified.
• Conduct technical review for the project side.
• Oversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguarded
• Assist in the training and support staff in the field office including answering daily questions, training new hires, making field visits, etc.
• Conduct a monitoring plan to lessen financial and compliance risks at beneficiary sites.

Reporting and Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Executive Director
Position directly supervises: Finance Intern

Indirect Reporting: NA
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Project Team, HR/Admin Staff.

External:  Donor staff, government ministry, partners etc.

Education:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or HND in Finance, Accounting

Experience:

• Two years experience in the Finance Department of a non-governmental organization.
• 2 or more years of finance experience, including budgeting and grant management or auditing.

 Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Good understanding of major international donor rules and non-profit accounting.
• Prior experience with computerized general ledger software.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of financial and procurement systems; Prior auditing experience is consider a plus.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

• Standards of Professional Conduct:  The RIA Initiative and its workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the i-CHAIR values – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Compassion, Humanity Accountability, Impact and Respect.  In accordance with these values, the RIA Initiative operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Gender-equality, Whistleblowing, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
• Gender Equality: RIA Initiative is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
• RIA Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• RIA Initiative considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.