Finance & Administrative Assistant – Nigeria

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and Washington, DC, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 39 offices in 28 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.  The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work.  You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, SFCG works in fourteen countries: Angola, Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Summary of SFCG Nigeria

Since 2003, SFCG has worked through its multi-media division, Common Ground Productions, in Nigeria, from 2004 to 2008 producing and broadcasting a TV series targeting a youth audience. In 2010, SFCG began building its engagement in Nigeria, initiating a multi-year conflict transformation program, utilizing media and support to civil society in order to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG has established a permanent presence in Abuja as an operational base for a number of initiatives comprising the country program.  SFCG works to support peaceful resolution of conflict in the areas of Nigeria such as the Niger Delta and Jos. 

SFCG Nigeria recently began a new initiative which focuses on the community reconciliation phase of the amnesty provided by the Government of Nigeria in three core states of the Niger Delta: Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States. Based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the project will be implemented through a series of partnerships with Nigerian NGOs, local experts and international NGOs. The 18 month project has three streams of work: community level reintegration work, community radio development and media work. Additionally, there is a trauma healing element. The community reintegration work entails working with partners who have existing institutions in the Niger Delta. 

The Finance and Administrative Assistant serves as SFCG first contact for the Port Harcourt office. S/he helps to ensure that the Nigeria sub-office runs smoothly and effectively including  managing the office upkeep including the generator, telephone, copier, printers, fax machine, and door security systems.  The Finance and Admin Assistant will work in close coordination with the Finance and Administrative Manager in liaising with the building owner and other operational contacts necessary for keeping the office fully functional.  The Assistant’s main financial function is to support the Finance and Admin Manager in ensuring that all financial processes documents from the partners and from SFCG Nigeria operations in Port Harcourt are in order following SFCG process and procedures. The position holder reports to the Finance/Administrative Manager and Project Assistant, both based in Port Harcourt.

• Serve as staff person to respond to general inquiries or forward to appropriate members of staff
• Assist Financial and Administrative Manager with financial tasks which may include ensuring proper documentation of vouchers and receipts, financial reporting, proper coding of expense, distribution payment, tracking petty cash distribution, and bank deposits.
• Order and maintain adequate inventory of office supplies for office following procurement policy and procedures.
• Maintain office equipment. Assist with ordering of office equipment and furniture
• Assist the Finance and Admin Manager in liaising with vendors and suppliers, helping to ensure that we get the best value for our money.
• Support purchasing procedures as needed
• Provide orientation for new employees and interns in the use of general office equipment and other office systems
• Assist with conference room scheduling and maintenance, including setting up/breaking down of tables and chairs for meetings
• Ensure that the door security system is functioning properly
• Manager the telephone system, including assignment of voice mail boxes
• Provide logistical support for meetings and conferences on-site and off-site
• Oversee the collection and receipt of mail and messenger/courier items, advising staff when items have arrived and advising staff on the cheapest/quickest services for sending items.
• Procuring newspapers, magazines, etc.

 As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

• High level of financial and numeracy skills
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an administrative or financial position;
• Computer literacy and word-processing skills essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and other accounting software
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize a complex workload, handling multiple tasks and competing demands
• A commitment to the aims and values of SFCG
• General grasp of Nigerian laws on labour, procurement, and severance issues
• A proactive approach to providing customer service to staff and the general public;
• Ability to identify and solve problems on an immediate basis
• Knowledge of office equipment and facilities maintenance issues
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Highly motivated and energetic with a customer service attitude is a must
• Reliable, dependable and a team player

 Desirable

• Interest or experience with international NGOs; and
• Experience with purchasing or procurement.

Please send a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org  or fax to +1 (202) 232-6718 with the

subject heading:  Finance and Administrative Assistant – Nigeria. Please be sure to include minimum

salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you

found this posting. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.

Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details on our work.