As the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) West Africa Secretariat, WACSOF held yesterday the 2nd of December a training session on the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.

Participants had the opportunity to discover many aspects of the ECPF including the relevance, programming and implementation processes of the ECPF.

The Training Session was facilitated by Mr. Paul . A specialist in Peace and Security, Democracy and Good Governance.

As the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) West Africa Secretariat, WACSOF held yesterday the 2nd of December a training session on the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.

Participants had the opportunity to discover many aspects of the ECPF including the relevance, programming and implementation processes of the ECPF.

The Training Session was facilitated by Mr. Paul . A specialist in Peace and Security, Democracy and Good Governance.

VACANCY – ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER

1. ABOUT WACSOF

The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is the umbrella network of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the 15 member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which works to enhance efforts aimed at fostering regional integration and development in West Africa. WACSOF was founded in 2003 with the purpose of channeling the civil society energies towards complimenting the regional integration and development agenda of the ECOWAS. WACSOF envisions a well-organized and vibrant civil society which contributes to the attainment of a stable and prosperous sub-region characterized by respect for democracy and good governance, constitutionalism and rule of law, economic prosperity, social justice and human rights. WACSOF covers 18 thematic areas.

The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) was created in 2003, with the support and approval of ECOWAS is the institutionalized umbrella network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with representations in each of the 15 ECOWAS countries. WACSOF, which is a privileged partner and advisor to ECOWAS and other institutions, is an organization whose members are civil society organizations from West Africa.

2. FUNCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance function’s role is to provide a complete accounting and financial management service to enable WACSOF to meet statutory requirements projects and partners objectives and exercise effective financial control. The department is responsible for the overall finances of the organisation and provides a complete financial and management accounting service to enable the organisation to meet the external statutory financial and tax requirements while adhering to internal accounting policies and procedures.

1. Financial Accounting
   • Ensure comprehensive financial accounts are maintained in order to comply with local regulations & corporate governance.
   • Record all financial transactions by entering them into the accounting system including but not limited to invoices, purchase invoices, supplier payments.
   • Review the monthly P&L and balance sheet, ensuring that the balance sheet is reconciled on a monthly basis.
2. Management Accounting
   • Manage and review monthly management accounts providing detailed commentary for actual versus budget analysis.
   • Assist management with the preparation and review of required budgets and forecasts, including the annual corporate budget. Preparation of meaningful statistics, KPIs and variance analysis. Posting of required month end journals such as accruals and prepayments.
3. Project Accounting: Manage the project accounting for any delivered project / contracts. Work with project managers to ensure project expenditure incurred in line with budget whilst adhering to all controls. Support in the preparation and submission of partner reports as and when required.
4. Treasury: Forecast cash flow positions, related funding needs and available funds for cash-pooling. Ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing operational and project delivery requirements.
5. Payroll: Undertake the preparation of the monthly payroll ensuring all necessary payment adjustments and deductions are efficiently and accurately reflected. Ensure compliance with internal payroll policies as well as local statutory payroll and tax requirements.
6. Control function: Ensure that adequate financial and internal audit controls are in place, are aligned with polices and are monitored on a regular basis. Substantiate financial transactions by reviewing and verifying supporting documentation.
7. Taxation / Company Secretarial: Ensure that local taxation requirements for the organisation are adhered to including meeting Revenue Authority deadlines (corporation tax, sales tax, withholding tax, payroll etc).
8. Fixed Assets: Manage the fixed asset process, ensuring assets are correctly capitalized, depreciated and disposed in line with internal controls and processes.

3. THE CHALLENGE

WACSOF is looking for a dynamic ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER with a high level of integrity, self-driven and competent person, that will help pursuing the effective implementation of WACSOF activities and mandate. This position will be based at WACSOF Secretariat, located in Abuja, Nigeria. The successful candidate should have an intimate understanding of NGO, Civil Society, and project management best practices. The ideal candidate will be able to hit the ground running as soon as he/she starts.

4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The assistant financial Officer will be responsible for helping the financial officer delivering the promises of the financial department listed in this document:

1. Implementing projects. Planning, organising activities as per WACSOF standards. Participation in WACSOF’s Programmatic activities to achieve objectives and mandate
2. Work simultaneously on multiple projects and deliver on time
3. Providing adequate and timely management information. Preparing Activity Reports in accordance with a prescribed schedule;
4. Actively participating in call for proposals, developing proposal budgets, etc.

5. QUALIFICATION

1. Minimum of a degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field from a recognized institution plus a professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent locally recognized qualification.
2. High level of proficiency in MICROSOFT OFFICE (EXCEL, WORD, POWERPOINT)
3. Experience with ERP, QUIKBOOK Accounting System
4. Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in finance. Knowledge of local tax legislation
5. Should be experienced with Donor budgeting and reporting (eg EUROPEAN UNION (EU), USAID, ETC.)
6. Experience with major humanitarian donors and donor compliance issues.
7. Experience in working with international and national NGOs, Civil Society, ECOWAS
8. Proven track record in financial accounts and management reporting
9. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities and work independently
10. Fluency in at least two languages (English, French, Portuguese). Nice to have

6. THE SKILLS YOU HAVE

1. Strong leadership, oral and written communication skills.
2. Ability to work in a team (strong task management and team leading competencies);
3. Ability to work with a diverse group in a professional service-oriented manner. Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
4. Good work ethic, agility, resilience, honesty, integrity and strong interpersonal skills
5. Ability to work under pressure in cross-cultural environment and willing to travel

7. HOW TO APPLY?

1. Please send your resume and letter of motivation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Only selected candidates will be contacted. The Work location is Abuja, Nigeria
3. The remuneration for this position will be based on the candidate’s experience.
4. WACSOF is an equal opportunity employer
5. WACSOF web site: wacsof-foscao.org

WACSOF is currently convening a two day High Policy Dialogue in Mali to look at the provisions of the ECOWAS Model Mining and Minerals Development Act (EMMMDA) that aid in conflict prevention amongst other issues in Mining communities it seeks to harmonize.