Financial Management Specialist (Individual Consultant)

About the role

IITA, the executing agency of the TAAT program funded by the African Development Bank, is calling for an individual consultant to serve as Financial Management Specialist for its Program Management Unit. The specialist leads all financial management, ensures fiduciary safeguards and accurate, reliable and timely financial reporting, and supervises the accounts staff of the PMU.

Key responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, accounting, internal controls, financial reporting and treasury management, and ensure compliance with approved procedures.
• Lead budget preparation and present the program budget to the Program Steering Committee and IITA; manage budget execution and expenditure control.
• Monitor budget execution and progress, and prepare quarterly interim unaudited financial reports and the annual program financial statements.
• Lead the development and updating of the Program Financial Procedures Manual, including accounting policies and standards.
• Develop and implement business process improvements, including computerization and automation of accounting and reporting.
• Develop treasury procedures so the program does not run out of funds in the Special Account and Counterpart Funds Accounts; ensure advances are justified under Bank rules and perform monthly bank reconciliations.
• Supervise the financial management unit, give career guidance, and conduct performance reviews.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and follow up on audit queries.
• Support procurement by reviewing and monitoring the financial management aspects of goods, works and services.
• Assist in field monitoring, track physical progress against expenditures, and train finance staff on reporting tools and data analytics.

Required profile

• Qualified accountant with full membership of an internationally recognized accounting body (CA, CPA, ACCA, CGMA).
• Minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience, of which 4 years in a related position, preferably on donor-funded projects.
• Master's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration or a related social science.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field visits.

Required skills

• Familiarity with accounting software for recording, processing and preparing financial reports.
• Sound knowledge of IPSAS, IFRS or local standards compliant with them.
• Experience in planning, budgeting, budgetary control and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of donor disbursement procedures and justification practices.
• Data analytics and report consolidation; knowledge of Oracle accounting is an added advantage.