Head of Department Finance

Company Overview
Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organisation committed to ending world hunger. For almost 40 years, across nearly 50 countries, we have been working to fight undernutrition and support communities affected by crisis across the globe.

We carry out innovative, lifesaving programmes in Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Disaster risk reduction, Mental Health and Care Practices, Food security and Livelihoods and Social Protection.
Action Against Hunger began operations in Nigeria in 2010 in response to the high rate of chronic malnutrition in Northern Nigeria, focusing on integrated programming.

In 2011, we expanded our work to begin implementing nutrition development projects in Jigawa and in Yobe. Following the crises in Northeast Nigeria, we further expanded our operations to address the Nutrition, Health, Food security and livelihoods, WASH, and shelter needs of conflict-affected communities.
Action Against Hunger Nigeria programme is supported by FCDO, ECHO, GAC, BHA, SDC, UNICEF, EU, AFD, SIDA and GFFO.

Action Against Hunger is currently looking to fill the role of Head of Department Finance, who will be responsible for overall management of the mission financial portfolio for effective and efficient financial management in line with the Action Against Hunger financial guidelines and donor rules and regulations.

Position Details
Reporting to: Deputy Country Director Support
Proposed start date: April 2025
Work location: Abuja, FCT

Key Responsibilities:

• Play advisory role to other departments on their financial and budgetary needs in order to support the development of the country strategy;
• Ensuring that financial and budgetary needs and constraints are taken into account in the preparation of projects;
• Collecting data and writing the financial and budgetary section of proposals and reports to funding bodies and financing plans, and negotiation of the Z1 after validation of Country Director;
• Developing high quality and timely financial and budgetary contributions to proposals and reports for donors ensuring consistency and coherence;
• Represent the mission externally on topics related to of finance and budget and developing a network for the exchange of information and good practice;
• Develop and submit high quality financial reports;
• Monitor effectively, the setup and compliance of parameters of the mission accounting software;
• Continuous review of all data entered into the accounting software ensuring the right information are reflected in the software;
• Verification of bank books, accounts and bank reconciliations;
• Reviewing and final verification of invoices and ensuring proper archiving system in line with the organization procedure;
• Mission Budget follow-up (including forecast) with the coordination team, Heads of Department and base Finance Managers, raising possible issues when necessary;
• Identification of financial risks in collaboration with the headquarters (exchange rate flunctuations, inflation etc) and disseminate information to Head of Department and DCD Support required;
• Develop and compile financial reports according to the deadlines and formats required by donors;
• Supervision of the pre-audit of funding bodies' financial contracts and responding to queries raised by auditors;
• Verification and approval of the monthly accounting bundle and follow process of approval with HQ;
• Verifying the physical cash count in capital and in the course of visits to bases;
• Designing and keeping up to date cash management procedures adapted to local conditions, suggesting alternatives in the light of any changes, authorising and organising the transfer of funds to the bases;   
• Consolidating and approving the treasury forecast of the mission and forwarding it to headquarters;
• Consolidating requests to commit expenses on a non-signed contract (Z2) and submit to headquarters;
• Monitoring contractual payments made by donors and signed off in the field;
• Approving the selection of banking establishments for the mission in line with AAH procedures;
• Approve the methods of payment of on-going contracts and ensuring payment by the due date
• Authorise the payment of mission expenses.
• Mission Budget follow-up (including forecast) with the coordination team, Heads of Department and base Finance Managers, raising possible issues when necessary;
• Identification of financial risks in collaboration with the headquarters (exchange rate flunctuations, inflation etc) and disseminate information to Head of Department and DCD Support required;
• Develop and compile financial reports according to the deadlines and formats required by donors;
• Supervision of the pre-audit of funding bodies' financial contracts and responding to queries raised by auditors;
• Participate in the process of selecting partners and validating the financial risk analysis provided by the field team;
• Defining with partners the modes of financial and budgetary management in the framework of joint projects;
• Validate the financial and budgetary aspects of partnership conventions and agreements;
• Innovative practices in the field of financial and budgetary management in partnerships.
• Identify risks of fraud and corruption and set up preventive and monitoring mechanisms;
• Sensitization of team in terms of facilitating training on risks of fraud and corruption within the department;
• Recommend area of improvements in the mission financial management to the DCD Support and/or Internal audit and suggest possible corrective action;
• Work closely with the Internal Auditor and provide the required support to facilitate external auditors;
• Monitor financial risks and update the management on any possible risk;
• Provide suggestions and inputs to the continuous development of the financial administration procedures, routines, and SoPs;
• Collaborate with the mission HQ to improve financial systems and assist in introducing change where requested as part of the global improvement to provide timely and appropriate financial information to senior management team, program managers and budget holders;
• Contribute to the professional development of team members including providing input to appraisal of Finance Managers as technical supervisor;
• Assess the capacity of current country finance teams and make recommendations about training needs, organizational structure, and changes to staffing;
• Develop training plan for finance team, as well as program and other staff, on finance processes & financial compliance.

Position Requirements:

• Advanced Degree in Accounting/Finance with minimum of 5 years’ experience with at least three years in a managerial role;
• Accounting related Certification;
• Exceptional organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail;
• Capacity to lead and manage a large team across various locations;
• Strong Excel skills;
• Excellent communication skills with the capacity to write quality reports;
• Strong analytical and reporting skills;
• Experience in budget and risk management;
• Experience with SAGA accounting system preferably;
• Knowledge of international donor requirements;
• Experience with accounting systems; knowledge of SAGA would be a plus;
• Knowledge of ACF financial management framework preferrably.

Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.

The deadline for this position is Monday, 31st March 2025.

Action Against Hunger does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).

Action Against Hunger is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Action Against Hunger provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to organizational standards and principles.

Other benefits include but not limited to 100% health care coverage, free and direct access to Cross Knowledge e-learning platform.

Women at Action Against Hunger are entitled to benefits such as maternity leave, compassionate leave for a hospitalized child and creche facilities for babies and toddlers.

All candidates MUST ensure they answer all the questions asked for this application. Failure to do so means candidates will not be considered for the process.