For more information on the town, visit http://www.keukenhof.nl/

Is it the lack of morals or the genuine need to serve on the part of the individual or Management’s blind trust in ‘loyal’ employees or the lack of management insight on the capabilities of individuals trusted to handle responsibilities? Food for thoughts.

The article touches on issues around morals, trust, ethics, values, truthfulness, loyalty, corruption and leadership.

Enjoy the read.

http://www.citeman.com/16798-enticements-and-ethics.html

However, with the hesitations by the governors about depleting state revenues to fund the Nigerian SWF drive, it seems for now that our quest for a SWF might just be another ‘white elephant project. “But happenings and the discordant tunes coming out of the Governors’ forum leaves one with the impression that they just gather to backslap one another and feel good. That the governors cannot take a common position on the sovereign wealth fund is, to say the least, very sad. It is worse even to hear that many are against it to the point of going to court under the guise that it is unconstitutional.” Culled from the Vanguard website (www.vanguardngr.com). But on the other hand with the current set of individuals making up the nation’s economic team, I do hope that the SWF for Nigeria actually sees the light of day and that our political class would allow the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) operate independently.

There isn’t any doubt in my mind that a Nigerian SWF would do our country a world of good; concentrate her excess income in viable investments across global markets, open up the Nigerian financial system to the intricate world of international finance, creation of jobs for Nigerians locally and internationally, diversify the country’s streams of income, creation of new investment, capital and money markets benchmarks, access to top grade investment knowledge, etc. I do hope that the governors’ selfish and myopic point of view will be overshadowed by the immense benefits many Nigerians will stand to gain and that the NSIA and Nigeria’s SWF will become one of the country’s key economic pillars to future sustainability.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_wealth_fund
2. http://www.swfinstitute.org/
3. http://www.sovereignwealthfundsnews.com/
4. http://www.sovereignwealthfundwatch.com/
5. http://www.ft.com/indepth/sovereignfunds
6. http://www.cfr.org/international-finance/sovereign-wealth-funds/p15251
7. http://www.businessinsider.com/the-12-biggest-sovereign-wealth-funds-in-the-world-2011-4#12-qatar-investment-authority-1
8. http://www.gfmag.com/tools/global-database/economic-data/10300-largest-sovereign-wealth-funds-swf-2010-ranking.html

Then there are a few Twitter accounts that could be followed, but one that I find interesting is @swf_briefing.

- Procurement Officers (1 position) – The company is looking a fairly experienced procurement officer (3 – 5 years experience), who has had experience in the construction industry to complement the procurement team.

• Provide efficient support and ensure success of the overall procurement activities, while providing efficient utilisation of resources in accordance with overall company objectives.
• Take part in the selection, development and roll out of the company’s logistics software system (including supply chain and asset management).
• Ensure full compliance and application of standard procurement rules, procedures and best practices (as determined by the overall strategic outlook of the company, national and international standards of procurements).
• Maintain procurement processes that ensure the company’s effective ability to procure and deliver quality materials across all projects and departments.
• Ensure a fair and transparent bidding process to engender healthy competition, as well as best prices and best value for money in all procurement activities.
• Ensure timely and quality procurement services provision according to the company’s strategic and operational plans and budgets.
• Arrange and control shipping and delivery of purchased goods, equipment, suppliers, as well as timely customs clearance and insurance.
• Contribute to logistical arrangements, ensure proper quality control, specification compliance, monitoring and verification of deliverables and timely delivery to all project sites.
• Ensure equipment-related trainings are organised for the ‘customers’ and delivered by the equipment suppliers to ensure that it is used in the most efficient way.
• Prepare regular reports on the status on the company’s procurement processes.
• Ensures proper management of relationships with suppliers and other third-party service providers.
• Daily line management of the procurement team.
• Management of supply chain flow to and from the Head Office.
• Liaise with local authorities as appropriate for company related procurement activities.
• Ensure that the procurement framework, as it meets the overall strategy of the company, is rigorously followed.
• Jointly responsible for overseeing an effective asset tracking function for the company’s assets.
• Submission of periodic reports to the Executive Management
• Other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Managing Director.

Working knowledge, skills and competencies and attributes

• Sound administrative background.
• Good knowledge of the Nigerian and international market conditions.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of international procurement principles and practices, procedures and related documentation is a must.
• Good level of MS Office software usage.
• Strong focus on client satisfaction, timely and quality results.
• Resourceful, dynamic, selfstarter with mature judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to efficiently prioritise, plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
• Ability to draft clear and concise procurement documentation.

Qualification and Experience

• A good first degree in Business Administration, Logistics/Procurement, Economics, Finance or equivalent disciplines.
• A minimum of 3-5 years post-graduate experience in a directly related field.
• Background should preferably be along procurement and logistics.

Interested candidates should forward their CV to sofolahan.soewu@arbicong.com.

Subject line should read “PROCUREMENT OFFICER – NAME OF CANDIDATE”

Job Grade/Level – Middle Management

Job Objectives

• To be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments and goals.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Direct and manage project development from start to finish.
• Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with executive management and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop full scale project plans and associated communications documents.
• Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals.
• Draft and submit budget proposals and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary.
• Where required, negotiate with other department managers for the acquisition of required personnel from within the company.
• Set and continually manage project expectations with team members and other stakeholders.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate personnel.
• Identify and resolve issues and conflicts within the project team.
• Identify and manage project dependencies and critical path.
• Plan and schedule project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools to effectively track project milestones and deliverables.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals and documentation.
• Proactively manage changes in project scope, identity potential crises.
• Define project success criteria and disseminate them to involved parties throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise project team members and contractors and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work.
• Build, develop and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project.
• Develop best practices and tools for project execution and management.
• Other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Managing Director.

Working knowledge, skills and competencies and attributes

• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools.
• Proven experience in people management; strategic planning; risk management and change management.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Experience at working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential.
• Can conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to react promptly and efficiently to project adjustments and alterations.
• Ability to read communication styles of team members and contractors who come from a broad spectrum of disciplines and experiences.
• Understands basic revenue models, profit and loss and cost-to-completion projections and makes decisions accordingly.
• Ability to identify business development and “add-on” sales opportunities as they relate to a specific project.
• Delivers engaging, informative, well organised presentations and effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors.
• Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
• Complies with and helps to enforce standard policies and procedures.
• Technically competent with Microsoft Office suite.

Qualification and Experience

• A good university degree in the field of management.
• Additional degree such as an MBA will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 4-6 years work experience undertaking project management responsibilities, including all aspects of process development and execution.
• A PMP certification will be an added advantage.

Interested candidates should forward their CV to sofolahan.soewu@arbicong.com

Subject line of email should read “PROJECT MANAGER – NAME OF CANDIDATE”

Job Grade/ Level - Senior Management

Job Objectives

• To manage the finance function of the company and direct overall financial plans and accounting practices within the company.
• To administer and superintend all business and operational activities of finance with good and effective management;
• To meet all the financial needs of the company by monitoring and maintaining effective financial systems;
• To ensure that the financial policies/procedures of the company are implemented efficiently and in line with generally accepted accounting practices, both locally and globally.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Ensures the company is in compliance with all statutory and reporting requirements;
• Ensures the internal accounting policies and procedures remain relevant to the needs of the company;
• Participates in business strategic planning process and defines strategies/plans for finance and accounting functions;
• Manages finance processes, develops and implements a modern cost effective accounting system that will meet the challenges and objectives of the company;
• Produces daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly management reports to the Executive Management (as may be required);
• Preparation of cash flow statements, income and expenditure accounts, tax returns and balance sheet;
• Liaise effectively with the internal and external auditors to ensure that an efficient and effective audit process is carried out;
• Ensures the financial policies, procedures and controls of the company are implemented efficiently and in line with generally accepted accounting practices (locally and globally);
• Oversees budget preparation, approval and execution processes; • Improves the systems surrounding all aspects of the company’s budgets, forecasts and business planning;
• Analyses budget variances and consolidates the company’s financial statements;
• Provides support to the Executive Management for fundraising, funding applications and all other required documentations;
• Manages the fund disbursement process and project financing for ongoing projects in line with approved plans;
• Develops and manages long and short-term cash forecasts, utilizing historical trends, seasonal influences and future projections. Determines cash requirements and maintain appropriate cash flows with banking and investment institutions to ensure adequate liquidity to meet all obligations, covenant compliance and optimisation of cash;
• Develops and implements cash management systems for all company operations, including policies, procedures, and internal controls. Oversees daily cash management process: setting cash position, wire transfer operations, and deposit and disbursement accounts;
• Analyses moderate to complex financial information, including trends and forecasts;
• Oversee the implementation of new accounting softwares to enhance the financial and operational effectiveness
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Management.

Working knowledge, skills and competencies and attributes

• Budgeting and Planning.
• Management Accounting.
• Corporate Finance.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Sound organisational, administrative and managerial skills.
• Good people management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skill.
• Knowledge of financial management systems; accounting policies and standards; tax management, cost accounting, etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A university degree in Accounting or related field.
• A minimum of 6-10 years working experience within the finance/audit and control department of a corporate organisation or professional services organisation
• Professional qualification such as: ACA, ACCA, ICAN, CFA etc