Financial Controller (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: Financial Controller (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 Program Financial Controller (FC) will retain overall leadership and oversight of the Programme’s financial management function, including approval-level review of budgets, withdrawal applications, financial reports, donor compliance, and audit coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and consolidate the Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs) of the NPCO and SPCOs, monitor budget execution by component, expenditure category, financier, and state, and ensure that all expenditures are eligible and consistent with the approved AWPB and Procurement Plan before commitments and payments are processed.
• Ensure that fiduciary controls prevent recognition of expenditures unless there is satisfactory evidence that goods, works, or services have been delivered and accepted by the intended beneficiaries or implementing units, and that the required supporting documents are complete and properly filed.
• Ensure that the financial management function maintains a reliable audit trail, complete document filing and scanning system, electronic archiving of financial records, up-to-date supplier, contract and fixed asset registers, and periodic reconciliations between accounting records, bank statements, procurement and contract records, payment documentation, and supporting evidence.
• Ensure the quarterly closure of  accounts, including timely review of bank reconciliations, commitments, advances, expenditure classifications, and supporting schedules before quarterly financial reports are finalized.
• Be responsible for financial management of the NPCO, including preparation of budget, monthly disbursement, timely replenishment of funds into Designated and operational/drawdown Accounts, preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, and ensure timely undertaking of annual audit of accounts and submission of same to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with the Financing Agreement requirement that the annual audited financial statements and audit report are submitted to IFAD within six months after the end of each fiscal year and coordinate the preparation and timely submission of management responses to the audit management letter within the required timeframe.
• Ensure compliance with IFAD General Conditions, the Financing Agreement, the  Project Implementation Manual (PIM), the  Financial Management/accounting manual, IFAD anti-corruption, AML-CFT and SH/SHEA requirements, and relevant Government of Nigeria financial regulations.
• Ensure adherence to the financial management system and procedures of the funding partners IFAD/AFD, and ensure that financial accounts are maintained and financial reports are prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) cash basis, applicable Government of Nigeria requirements, and IFAD/AFD reporting requirements.
• Ensure maintenance of records and proper management of NPCO’s assets
• Be responsible for the entire Program accounting and provide guidance on account and financial control systems, including the Financial Management System to be developed under the VCN.
• Lead the installation and configuration of the project accounting/FM system required under the design report, including configuration of the chart of accounts to capture component, expenditure category, financier, state, contract, activity, and counterpart contributions, and ensure timely bank and account reconciliations.
• Provide and assist in organizing training for the project accounts staff.
• Provide leadership and be responsible for the financial management of the program.
• Monitor accounts and analyze financial commitments and expenditure trends/returns.
• Carry out thorough budget-versus-actual analysis on a regular basis, including analysis by component, expenditure category, financier, state, activity, and implementing unit, and use the results to support project implementation decisions, identify implementation bottlenecks, flag under- or over-utilization of funds, and propose timely corrective actions or budget reallocations where required.
• Prepare monthly returns in accordance with accounting reporting requirements.
• Prepare monthly returns in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) cash basis, applicable Government of Nigeria requirements, and IFAD/AFD reporting requirements.
• Any other duties 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:

• Qualified Accountant with ACCA, CIMA, ICAN (Nigeria), CA (England and Wales), CPA or related financial management qualification (essential).

Professional Experience:

• Experience in setting up and maintaining a computerized accounting system (essential).
• At least 10 years of relevant post-qualification working experience, of which 5 years must be in a senior management position in a reputable organization. (essential).
• Experience managing multi-donor, decentralized, fragile-context operations and being familiar with IFAD withdrawal application, SOE/IFR, designated account, and audit requirements is a bonus.
• Practical working experience with government programs, donor-funded projects, and auditing experience (essential).
• Have a good understanding of tax and statutory requirements.

Skills:

• Presentation of highly complex financial and non-financial information
• Inspiring confidence and developing highly effective relationships with finance and non-finance colleagues within Programme, Cooperating Institutions, and implementing partners.
• Professional independence.

Terms and Conditions

• Contract Duration: The duration of the assignment will be a 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.

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.