Internal Auditor (IA) at Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is implementing a Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta States (LIFE-ND).

To facilitate implementation of the project, the partners want qualified and competent personnel to fill the position below:

Job Position: Internal Auditor (IA)
Job Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers
Job Type: Contract (1 year)
Unit/Office: Project Coordination

Main Responsibilities

• The Internal Auditor shall ascertain and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the financial management and internal control framework;
• Ensure compliance with the IEAD and Federal Government project Financing Agreement, IFAD disbursement procedures, Project Implementation Manual, etc;
• Identify critical weaknesses if any, and areas for improvement; and provide the project coordination team at the regional and state levels with timely information and recommendations on financial management aspects of the project to enable timely corrective actions.
• He reports to the Project Coordinator.

Specific Duties

• Carry out audit of the project in accordance with international standards of auditing, and including such tests and controls as the auditor considers necessary. The audit will cover the project regional office, state and beneficial levels.
• Ensure that the accounting and financial management systems remain reliable and effective in design and assess the extent to which they are being followed. Ascertain the reliability of integrity, controls, security and effectiveness of the operations of the computerized accounting system.
• Identify constraints, if any, in the timely updating of the accounting system and in adhering to the internal control procedures including the Project Implementation Manual and the Financial Procedures Manual.
• Review the adequacy of the systems established to ensure compliance with policies, plans procedures, laws, and regulations and establish whether the project is in fact in compliance. Check and report on compliance with the IFAD Financing Agreement covenants.
• Review the efficacy, adequacy and application of accounting, financial and operating controls and thereby ensure the accuracy of the books of accounts. Review the accuracy and timeliness of the quarterly financial reports produced by the project and confirm whether these are used by the management for decision making.
• Verify that the system of internal check is effective in design and operation in order to ensure the prevention of and early detection of defalcations, frauds, misappropriations and misapplications.
• Evaluate the Internal Control System in operation to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and economy.
• Check the segregation of duties in the project such as:
  • Authorization and approval,
  • Recording,
  • Documentation on the following operating costs: maintenance of vehicles/equipment, fueling, motor license/insurance, utilities (water, electricity, telephone), office rent and rates, salaries and allowances of project support staff, insurance.
• Check that the Statements of Expenditure (SOE) submitted to IFAD reconcile with the expenditures reported under the quarterly and yearly financial reports. Duly record any ineligible expenditure noted during the review.
• Ensure reconciliation of bank statements and accounts is regularly carried out on a monthly basis and necessary corrections on accounts of banks/debits and stale transactions accounted for concurrently.
• Conduct an independent appraisal of all the project’s activities. Consider the adequacy of controls to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of project activities.
• Confirm that IFAD no-objections given to the RPCO and the state offices for incurring expenditure under the project are used for purpose intended.
• Undertake procurement audits to ensure procedures are done transparently as per procedures/thresholds.
• Verify that all the goods, works and services procured and issues are supported by valid receipt and documents including IFAD no-objection and that a register of contracts and contract monitoring forms are maintained and up-to-date.
• Ensure that adequate records are maintained regarding the assets created and assets acquired by the project, including details of cost, identification and location of assets; and that the physical verification of assets is being carried out with due diligence and an annual inventory report is duly issued. Physical verification of assets and other inventories would be taken up as deemed necessary by the auditor in respect of all goods.
• Ensure that disbursements between RPCO and SPCOs are reconciled and accounted for.

Reporting and Location

• The position will be in the RPCO located in Port Harcourt. The IA will report directly to the PC.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of First Degree or Higher National Diploma in Accounting with a minimum working experience of 10 years, 6 years in IFAD assisted project.
• A professional certificate in Accounting or Auditing is an added advantage.
• Good communication and training skills.
• Proven track record in internal auditing.
• Working experience of the Niger Delta area is a plus.
• Ability to motivate, inspire and achieve results will be an added advantage.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Applications with detailed CV of not more than 5 pages to the following email addresses: infor@vcdpnigeria.org , vcdpnpmu@gmail.com , lifend2019@gmail.com

Note: This contracted appointment is for a period of one (1) year in the first instance, renewable subject to satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN/IFAD.