The Canadian Co-operative Association (www.coopscanada.coop) is a national association for co-operatives in Canada, representing more than nine million co-operative and credit union members from over 2,000 organisations. CCA’s international development mission is to establish and grow co-operatives, credit unions and community based organisations to reduce poverty, build sustainable livelihoods and improve civil society in less developed countries. For over 50 years, CCA has been working with local partners organisations to strengthening credit unions and co-operatives in Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The Finance and Administrative Officer shall be accountable to the Country Director in the area of ensuring that finance and administration management systems that meet international standards.

S/he shall be expected to support in planning and managing financial and operational resources. The Finance and Administrative Officer will need to work collaboratively with and co-ordinate the efforts of Finance and Administrative Officers at the implementing partners.

Job Title: FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Reporting to: Ghana country Manager
Located: Tamale with travel in communities of the Eastern Corridor

Fostering project and partnership

CCA is implementing a five-year project, FOSTERING-Food Security through co-operative in Northern Ghana, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and developed in partnership with SEND Ghana and the Ghana Co-operative Credit Union Association (CUA). The anticipated project will increase sustainable and gender equitable food security for over 42,000 men and women in eight districts in the Eastern Corridor of Northern Ghana.

The FOSTERING project takes account of the four pillars of food security (availability, access, utilisation, and stability). The project directly tackles four key areas of improving food security and sustainable economic growth for small-holder farmers; improving production; better marketing of products; expansion of household activities into off-season businesses; and access to finance.

Functions and Key Results Expected
Summary of key functions:

The role of the position is to manage and oversee the financial and administrative aspects of the multifaceted project designed as FOSTERING.

The Project will be implemented in collaboration with two local partners, SEND Ghana and Credit Union Association of Ghana (CUA). The Finance and Administrative Officer will work closely with the partner to co-ordinate the efforts and the implementation.

Accountabilities:

•   Design and implement financial reporting frameworks and tools
•   Produce monthly financial reports for the CCA
•   Produce quarterly financial reports in accordance with DFATD policies and other relevant rules and regulations.
•   Collaborate with partner Finance and Administration Officers to ensure the production of accurate and timely financial reports
•   Document and oversee all payments related to Country Office project expenses
•   Maintain accurate financial records of all project financial transactions
•   Inventory, insure and manage all project assets
•   Oversee the management of the petty cash
•   Process Ghana staff payroll
•   Ensure project operations are in compliance with local and national laws and policies (employment, environmental, health and safety, etc.)
•   Liaise with the Head office Finance team in Ottawa to ensure smooth and timely financial management of project operations
•   Perform all other related duties as assigned by the Project Manager

Skills and Competencies (mandatory):

•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
•   Proven budgeting and financial management skills using Excel.
•   Superior understanding of project financial management.
•   Solid understanding of donor compliance and contract management procedures and processes.
•   Proven leadership and collaboration skills.
•   Outstanding business and communication skills in English.
•   Proven ability to provide training and capacity-building to staff.
•   Able to multi-task effectively and meet deadlines while under pressure.
•   High energy, positive, flexibility, teamwork, and high degree of initiative
•   Commitment to CCA values and mission

Other desirable skills and attributes:

•   Able to speak at least one of the principal languages of Northern Ghana

Qualification Required & Experience

The post holder must possess the following skills, experience and personal characteristics

•   Internationally recognised accounting designation, or equivalent education and experience
•   Minimum five years’ experience working with a globally recognised accounting system.
•   Minimum five years’ experience of successfully managing the finances of complex, fixed-term, results-based international development projects (funded by bi-lateral and/or multi-lateral donors)
•   Minimum three years’ experience working within an international finance department – ideally within Canada
•   Experience working with a Canadian funding agency is an asset.

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Interested candidates should submit a CV and covering letter addressed to the Country Director. Applications should be sent electronically to: _lucie.tremblay@coopscanada.coop with the name of the position in the subject line.

Closing Date: 01 October, 2013

•   And the interviews will take place in Tamale.
•   All candidates are thanked for their interest in CCA; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

WOMEN ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY