Finance Assistant

The Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) is Nigeria’s first dedicated institution focused on newborn health research, simulation-based clinical training, and evidence-driven policy engagement. We are recruiting suitable candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Assistant

Location: Ekiti

Reports To: Finance and Grant Manager Purpose of the Role The Finance Assistant will support the effective financial and grants management of CeNHRI’s programmes and organisational operations. The role will support day-to-day financial processes, assist with budgeting and expenditure tracking, maintain grant financial records, and contribute to the timely preparation of financial reports under the guidance of the Finance and Grant Manager. The Finance Assistant will work closely with the Finance and Grant Manager and relevant programme and operational teams to support the proper management of CeNHRI’s financial resources and compliance with grant requirements. Scope of the Role The role covers: Financial administration and accounting support. Budget and expenditure tracking. Grant financial administration and compliance. Financial reporting, reconciliation and audit support. Financial administrative support to programme planning and management. Authority: The Finance Assistant will: Review financial documents for completeness prior to submission for processing. Maintain and update financial and grant records under the guidance of the Finance and Grant Manager. Flag discrepancies in financial documentation for the Finance and Grant Manager’s review. Follow up on outstanding financial documentation and requirements, as assigned. Escalate significant financial or grant-related issues to the Finance and Grant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Administration: Maintain accurate records of day-to-day financial transactions. Prepare payment requests and compile supporting documentation in line with approved procedures. Support routine bank, cash and other financial reconciliations. Maintain the financial filing system and ensure records are readily accessible. Support cash-flow monitoring by compiling information required for routine financial management. Identify routine discrepancies in financial records and refer them to the Finance and Grant Manager. Deliverables: Accurate financial records. Completed reconciliations. Properly processed payment documentation. Up-to-date financial files and transaction records. Budget and Expenditure Management: Support the preparation and compilation of organisational and programme budget inputs. Track expenditure against approved budgets. Prepare draft budget utilisation and variance summaries for the Finance and Grant Manager’s review. Flag potential underspend, overspend or other budget pressures to the Finance and Grant Manager. Support financial forecasting by compiling expenditure data. Maintain records of approved budget revisions and reallocations. Deliverables: Budget tracking sheets/reports. Draft expenditure and variance summaries. Forecasting data inputs. Updated budget revision records. Financial Management: Maintain financial information for CeNHRI’s funded programmes. Track budgets, expenditure, reporting deadlines and financial obligations. Support the preparation and compilation of donor financial reports and supporting schedules. Coordinate the collection of financial information from programme teams and partners, as assigned. Provide administrative support for budget revisions. Deliverables: Draft donor financial reports and supporting schedules. Administrative inputs to budget revisions. Compliance, Audit and Financial Controls: Support compliance with CeNHRI’s financial policies and applicable grant requirements. Maintain appropriate audit trails for financial transactions. Compile financial records and schedules required for internal and external audits. Track routine audit and compliance queries and support responses under guidance. Support the implementation and monitoring of financial controls. Identify potential control gaps or compliance issues and report them to the Finance and Grant Manager. Deliverables: Audit schedules and supporting records. Compliance documentation. Audit and compliance action trackers. Financial control monitoring updates. Programme and Administrative Support: Provide financial administrative inputs to programme workplans, proposals and concept notes, as assigned. Support programme teams with routine financial documentation requirements. Compile financial information to support the Finance and Grant Manager’s analysis and reporting. Participate in programme planning and review meetings where financial administrative support is required. Provide financial documentation support to the Finance and Grant Manager for programme and organisational reporting. Support process improvements in CeNHRI’s finance and grants administration. Deliverables: Financial inputs to proposals and workplans. Compiled financial data and summaries. Financial documentation support to programme teams. Suggestions for improving finance administrative processes. Reporting Lines: The Finance Assistant reports directly to the Finance and Grant Manager, who is responsible for overall supervision, performance management and review of deliverables. The role works closely with programme, research, MEL, operations and other relevant teams on routine financial administrative matters, as directed by the Finance and Grant Manager.