Finance Director at Creative Associates International

Project Description:  

The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Activity is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade. The Activity comprises three main components: (i) design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships; (ii) administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives. The Trade Hub will contribute to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Reporting & Supervision: 

The Director of Finance reports directly to the Chief of Party.  

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Provide leadership to the finance team and oversight on the project’s accounting and finance functions, including identification of areas for improvement and strategic guidance for financial management.
2. Ensure accurate and timely information is provided to assist in the project's day-to-day management and drive management, strategic and budgetary decisions.
3. Establish and maintain financial management and accounting control systems for program expenditures.
4. Ensure project liquidity and establish appropriate checks and balances to mitigate financial risks and conflicts of interest.
5. Ensure all financial records are audit-ready, establish cost and fiscal controls, and enforce stringent international financial and auditing standards that ensure efficiency, accountability, and compliance.
6. Lead the development of the annual budget, annual and quarterly forecasts and re-forecasts, pipeline analysis, budget realignment, and fund obligation requests.
7. Support the development of the project's annual workplans.
8. Work closely with field-based implementing partners to ensure budgets, projections, and invoices are completed according to the Creative policies and procedures and USG regulations.
9. Direct the formation and implementation of financial management and compliance policies and procedures, guiding policy decisions and providing technical expertise.
10. Verify all project procurements before execution and determine source selection methods for complex procurements to ensure compliance with the Creative policies and USG rules and regulations.
11. Manage finance team and provide staff financial management and systems training.
12. Ensure timely preparation and submission of quarterly and annual financial reports on the financial status of project expenses and budget information.
13. Ensure that the project meets all contractual requirements and complies with the USG regulations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

1. A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, statistics, international development, or a related field.
2. A master’s degree and professional qualification (ACA/ CNA/ ACCA/ CPA) is an added advantage.
3. At least 10+ years general work experience including 7+ years of progressive specific experience related to the position. with sub-grants management, preferably in West Africa, working in international development.
4. Must have 5+ years of progressive experience managing and supervising groups and teams.
5. Strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations, administration, and compliance.
6. Fluency in written and spoken English.
7. Experience with computerized accounting systems and familiar with all MS Office applications.
8. Exposure to working with international operations - the ability to work with and achieve results with diverse personnel in many countries.
9. Strong organizational and managerial skills
10. Fluency in Spoken and Written English is required.