FGN – VCDP
IFAD
INVESTING IN RURAL PEOPLE
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
NATIONAL PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT UNIT
N0.4 BATNA CLOSE OFF AGADEZ CRESCENT, OFF AMINU KANO CRESCENT, WUSE 2, ABUJA.

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INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF FINANCIAL CONTROLLER UNDER THE FGN/IFAD-VCDP PROJECT

BACKGROUND
In pursuant of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022 – 2027 aims to transform the country’s agricultural sector through technology and innovation and the need to ensure self-sufficiency in domestic food production, the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was set up to support Federal Government’s strategic vision for growth and development through strengthening of the agricultural sector to increase food security, accelerate economic growth and reduce vulnerability for smallholder farmers particularly women and youths.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) initiative is anchored on the promotion of Agriculture Productivity Enhancement on a sustainable basis, Incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of Rice and Cassava in six states of Anambra, Benue, Ebony, Niger, Ogun, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

1.3 Consequently, Expression of Interest (EOI) is hereby solicited from suitably qualified and interested candidates to participate in the FGN/IFAD VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ADDITIONAL FINANCING (IFAD-VCDP – AF). THE MARKET COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED NIGERIAN CANDIDATES

1. Position Overview
The Financial Controller (FC) is the senior financial officer of the Programme, responsible for the overall integrity of financial operations, compliance with IFAD fiduciary requirements, and the successful financial closure of the project. As the project enters its final implementation phase, the FC will provide strategic financial leadership to optimize fund utilization, ensure robust internal controls, and execute a seamless transition toward financial closure.
Reporting directly to the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), the FC will lead the finance team at the NPMU and provide technical oversight to State-level finance staff, ensuring consistent application of financial procedures across all implementing units.

2. Key Responsibilities
A. Financial Management and Disbursement
• Ensure the Programme’s financial procedures, as detailed in the Programme Implementation and Financial Manuals, are strictly adhered to by all Programme staff and implementing partners at the national and state levels.
• Facilitate the timely disbursement of Programme funds to the various accounting units.
• Compile Statement of Expenditures (SOEs) for the NPMU and other implementing partners for timely preparation of withdrawal applications.
• Develop and execute disbursement strategies to maximize utilization of available financing instruments (Original Loan, AF1, AF2, ASAP Grant) before project completion.
• Lead the preparation and timely submission of Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), ensuring complete documentation and alignment with the ICP platform requirements.
• Coordinate with Component Managers and Procurement to ensure timely financial execution of planned activities.
• Manage project bank accounts, co-sign all payments, and validate all monthly bank reconciliations.
• Establish funds utilization monitoring dashboards and escalation mechanisms for bottlenecks.

B. Accounting System and Financial Reporting
• Ensure adherence to the International Financial Reporting System, as well as the Government of Nigeria’s financial practices and circulars as issued from time to time.
• Maintain a sound accounting system that ensures the installation of a good and complete chart of accounts, and maintain all relevant books of accounts that ensure complete recording and reporting of all financial and non-financial transactions of the Programme at all levels.
• Prepare consolidated financial reports and statements and advise NPC on the Programme’s financial status and trends.
• Coordinate the activities of the accountants at the State Programme Management Units (SPMUs) and prepare consolidated reports for the Programme.
• Facilitate the installation and management of a sound Integrated Financial Management Information System (Computerized Accounting) at both the NPMU and SPMU
• Ensure the installation of a complete chart of accounts with proper coding to capture each financing instrument separately; maintain all relevant books of accounts for recording financial and non-financial transactions.
• Ensure AWPB integration into the accounting system with automated budget-to-actual variance tracking and prior budget verification before expenditure commitments.
• Prepare and submit timely Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) in accordance with IFAD requirements and IPSAS Cash Basis.
• Prepare Annual Financial Statements compliant with international accounting standards for external audit.

C. Internal Controls and Compliance
• Ensure the Programme’s financial procedures, as detailed in the Programme Implementation and Financial Manuals, are strictly adhered to by all Programmes.
• Design and enforce a comprehensive internal control framework aligned with the PTM, Financial Manual, and IFAD’s Financial Management and Financial Control Letter (FMFCL).
• Implement standardized payment voucher checklists and pre-payment verification processes across all PMUs, ensuring complete supporting documentation for all transactions.
• Standardize bank reconciliation procedures across all PMUs, ensuring monthly completion with supervisory review and evidence of follow-up on reconciling items.
• Implement a robust travel advance management system with enforced retirement timelines and accurate recording in the accounting system.