Accountant (Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme) at Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies in the Nigeria’s  agricultural sector, to sufficiently provide food for an increasing population, adequate supply of raw materials to a growing industrial sector, effectively expand the market for crop, livestock, agro and agro-allied products, continually create employment opportunities, and to widely diversify the economy, for national development.

The Ministry provides resources to the sector for the implementation of various  projects and programmes. The efforts is complemented with the support and funding from donor partners in the implementation of various agricultural projects and programmes in the country.

Applications are invited from suitable candidates to fill the position below for the National Programme  Management Unit of the Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme:

Job Title: Accountant (Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme)

Location: Wuse 2, Abuja (VCN National Programme Coordination Office (NPCO))
Job Type: Contract
Reports to: Directly to the Director, FDDPP of FMAFS
Participating States: Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano.

Background
The Value Chain for Northern Nigeria (VCN) Programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The overall development objective of VCN is to increase incomes, food security, and resilience of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in Northern Nigeria through competitive, climate‑resilient, and inclusive agricultural value chains. Specifically, the Programme aims to transform priority agricultural value chains in Northern Nigeria to drive food security, employment, and inclusive economic growth, with a strong focus on women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

The Programme is financed through multiple financing sources, including IFAD and AFD loans and will run until 31 March 2034 (financial closure: 30 September 2034). Implementation of the programme will be based on a decentralised approach through federal and state programme implementation units under the coordination of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD‑DPP). The National Programme Coordinating Office (NPCO) will be based in Abuja, and the State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU) in each participating state. The participating states are: Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano.

The NPMU will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including: National Programme Coordinator, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Agricultural Production and Rural Infrastructure Specialists, Rural Institutions Development Specialist, Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist, Food & Nutrition Specialist, ICT4D Support Specialist, Gender & Social Inclusion and GALS Specialists, Climate & Environment Specialist, Financial Controller, Accountant, Finance Officer, Senior Internal Auditor, Procurement Specialist and Officers, and National administrative and HR support staff. State Programme Implementation Unit will mirror these functions (with a few exceptions) at the state level, ensuring strong fiduciary oversight, timely reporting from SPIU, and harmonized accounting procedures resulting in an effective last‑mile delivery.

Governance and accountability will be anchored in a National Steering Committee, supported by technical committees as required, to provide policy guidance, ensure alignment with national priorities, and resolve strategic bottlenecks. The implementation of the project will include high-risk operating environments, hence project staff/specialists at both National and State levels must possess the skills and expertise to work in fragile areas, demonstrating a high level of sensitivity to conflict and crisis situations.

Additionally, prior experience of project staff/specialist in remote project monitoring and implementation using dedicated tools to effectively track project activities would be crucial.

Position Overview

• The Accountant will work under the direct supervision of the Financial Controller and in close collaboration with the Finance Officer and SPCO accounting staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Focus on day-to-day accounting operations, including recording transactions, maintaining books of account, preparing bank reconciliations, compiling SOEs, supporting withdrawal applications, and maintaining complete accounting records.
• Prepare draft financial statements, schedules, and supporting documentation for review and approval by the Financial Controller.
• Support the Financial Controller on accounting and reporting tasks, without assuming overall  financial management leadership, donor reporting sign-off, or internal audit responsibilities.
• Ensure that expenditures are recognized only after confirming that goods, works, or services have been delivered, received, and accepted by the intended beneficiaries or implementing units, and that complete supporting documentation is available, including procurement records, contracts or purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, goods received notes, completion certificates, beneficiary acknowledgement or distribution records, and other evidence required by the PIM and FM/accounting manual.
• Support quality assurance of financial documentation received from SPCOs and implementing partners before transactions are posted in the accounting system or included in withdrawal applications, SOEs, or IFRs. This includes checking that documentation is complete, accurate, eligible, properly authorized, and supported by adequate evidence of delivery, receipt, acceptance, or use of goods, works, or services by the intended beneficiaries or implementing units.
• Maintain a complete audit trail for all financial transactions, including systematic filing, scanning, and electronic archiving of supporting documents; maintain supplier and contract registers, fixed asset records, and other financial control records; and ensure regular reconciliations between accounting records, bank statements, procurement and contract records, payment documentation, and supporting evidence from SPCOs and implementing partners.
• Ensuring the Program’s financial procedures as detailed in the Program Implementation and Financial Manuals are strictly adhered to by all Program staff and implementing partners at the state level.
• Facilitating the timely disbursement of Program funds to the various accounting units, mainly the service providers and farmers’ groups.
• Compiling SOEs for the NPCO and other implementing partners for timely preparation of withdrawal applications.
• Ensuring adherence to International Public Sector  Accounting Standards (IPSAS) cash basis, applicable Government of Nigeria requirements, and IFAD/AFD reporting requirements.
• Maintaining a sound accounting system, ensuring installation of good and complete charts of  accounts, and maintaining all relevant books of accounts that ensure complete recording and reporting of all financial and non-financial transactions of the Program at the state level.
• Facilitating and ensuring that external auditors are availed of all necessary documents and information during the audit as detailed in the Financing Agreement.
• Preparing draft financial reports and analysis on the Programme’s financial status and trends for review by the Financial Controller before submission to the National Programme Coordinator.
• Supporting the Financial Management Controller in the installation and management of a sound Integrated Financial Management Information System (Computerized Accounting) for NPCO.
• Undertaking any other duties (related to the Program’s activities) as may be assigned by the National Program Coordinator.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a Master’s or higher-level university Degree in Accounting / Finance or a related field of specialization)-essential.

Professional Certification:

• Membership of a professional body of accountants or chartered accountants such as ACCA, CPA, ANAN, ICAN, etc.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant post-qualification working experience, of which 3 years must be in a similar position in a reputable organization. (essential).
• Practical working experience with the Government of Nigeria and donor-funded projects (IFAD, AFD, World Bank, etc.), (essential).
• Have a good understanding of tax and statutory compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of the operations of Computerized Accounting systems
• Preparing the monthly budget forecast for the National office and all the relevant supporting documentation needed to submit the replenishment request for the operational Account.
• Preparing the bank account reconciliation statement of the operational account, among others
• Supporting the Financial Controller in accounting, reconciliations, withdrawal applications, financial documentation, and preparation of reports, while remaining responsible for day-to-day accounting functions.
• Maintaining and keeping the project reports

Skills:

• Presentation of financial and non-financial information
• Inspiring confidence and developing strong working relationships with finance and non-finance colleagues within the Project, Cooperating Institutions, and implementing partners.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Very strong technical skills in accounting.

Terms and Conditions

• Contract Duration: The duration of the assignment will be two-year staff contract with annual evaluation of performance in line with the respective job description in accordance with the recommendation of the FMAFS, and renewable depending on satisfactory performance.
• Travels: Regular travel to State PCOs in Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano. Occasional travel for IFAD / AFD missions and training.
• Remuneration: Competitive package commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with FGN/IFAD/AFD salary scales for nationally recruited  project staff.

Reporting and Location:

• Located in Abuja, the FCT, and will report directly to the National Programme Coordinator.

Remuneration
Competitive package commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with FGN/IFAD/AFD salary scales for nationally recruited project staff.

Application Deadline 
6th September, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

METHOD OF APPLICATION 
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) applications in ten (10) copies, including one original and nine (9) photocopies, properly sealed and clearly marked at the top right-hand cover “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT UNDER THE FGN/IFAD/AFD-VCN PROJECT.”

Each envelope should include a CV and an application letter with a cover letter suited for the position being applied for.

The sealed envelope should be addressed and delivered to:
The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Food Security,
c/o Director, Federal Department of Development Partners Projects,
Fadama House, No. 1, Eldoret Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II – Abuja