Federal Ministry of Health Recruits Head of Finance, Global Fund Programmer

The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), with support of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partners has committed itself to universal coverage for all malaria interventions as the optimal approach to malaria control. The Malaria Strategic Plan 2009-2013 thus expands the programmatic focus from the vulnerable to the entire population at risk. The major interventions adopted for malaria control in Nigeria include ensuring that:

• All individuals, especially vulnerable groups, have access to appropriate treatment within 24 hours of onset of symptoms;
• All individuals, especially vulnerable groups sleep inside Insecticide Treated Nets/long lasting Insecticide-treated Nets.

The target of the NCMP is to ensure that at least 80% coverage of these interventions accomplished by 2010 is sustained. This would be achieved through provision of anti-malaria commodities to Public Health Institutions and not-for-profit Health Organizations for the implementation of these interventions. Several funding partners, including the Global Fund to fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)contribute towards the achievement of the NMCP's goals through articulated support to agreed programme areas.

The NMCP is one of the Principal Recipients implementing the Global Fund Round 8 Malaria Grant in Nigeria. Under the Phase 2 of the grant, which commenced in November 2011, the objective is to contribute to the rapid and sustained scale up of Malaria Control interventions for impact and intensifying Malaria control interventions towards universal access in Nigeria. The project is focused on
the creation, development and expansion of government-private partnership and strengthens the participation of communities and peoples in malaria control interventions. The Global Fund Round 8 Phase 2 Malaria Project is implemented in 30 States including the F.C.T.

The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and the Global Fund has decided to reposition NMCP to be more responsive to the implementation of the Grant for optimal impact. To this end, vacancies now exist at NMCP for the following position:

Job Position: Head of Finance, Global Fund Program

Location: Abuja
Reporting: To the National Coordinator

Job Description

• NMCP depends on its ability to demonstrate outstanding stewardship of financial donations/grants, and to maintain the highest accounting and finance standards for its grants.
• The Head of Finance would play a pivotal role in overseeing all financial aspects of GF grant implementation, responsible for the financial control environment of the organization, including accurate and timely delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual
  reporting and the preparation of budgets, forecasting, and variance reporting analysis for NMCP, its Sub-Recipients and
  State Malaria Control Programs.
• The successful candidate would work closely with the senior management team of the organization, external and
  internal auditors, consultants, Local fund Agent of the Global Fund, and members of staff from the Global Fund Secretariat. S/He will lead, mentor and develop a finance team of 6, direct reports and report directly to the National Coordinator of the NMCP.
• The development and delivery of risk management and compliance strategies will be fundamental to the successful execution of the role of the Head of Finance.
• The successful candidate is expected to build strong relationships across the organization, with external stakeholders, and ensure the finance function is deeply embedded in both the day-to-day functions and longer term strategic initiatives of the organization.

Scope Of Work:

• The scope of work covers all aspects of the financial management of Global Fund Malaria Control Project implemented by NMCP.

Duties and Responsibilities

a.) Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with NMCP and GF policies and procedures, systems and practices;
• Ensure the preparation of quality Progress Update and Disbursement Requests (PUDRs) and other reports to GF and other stakeholders;
• Ensure accuracy of work plan and budget submitted by NMCP and oversees monitoring of all budgets on a continuous basis;
• Ensure the safe custody of NMCP/GF assets, individual staff files, bank account cheque books and other related documents;
• Review SRs financial reports and sampled transactions for compliance with the work plan/budget and GF policies and procedures, assuring expenses are properly approved, adequate substantiation has been provided, and project allocations are correctly recorded;
• Continuously review and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial management policies, procedures and processes and identify issues/institute improvement where necessary:
• Supervise the NMCP Project Accountant(s) on the following duties:

i.) Preparation of receipts, payment vouchers and cheques and follow up for necessary approval/signature;
ii.) Posting on a daily basis, financial transactions data into SAGE (computerized accounting software);
iii.) Keeping accurate record of all books of accounts and ensuring that all accounting records are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles,

• Provide quality control checks on the SAGE accounting software entries to ensuring that valid input data are entered into the accounting system, and all financial transactions are appropriately processed, using the correct accounting codes (project, activity and donor).
• Manage relationship with internal auditors, external auditors and other reviewers ensuring they get the necessary support and cooperation to perform their duties.

b.) Grants Management

• Keeping tab on all management letters and ensuring that all issues raised are resolved expeditiously in collaboration with the Global Fund Program Manager and Team;
• Ensuring that grant documentation and filing procedures (including effective filing of soft copies and effective back up system) are implemented and an up-to-date file is maintained for each SR with timely inclusion of all relevant documents, including copies of communication/disbursement records;
• Ensuring that PUDRs are discussed collectively with the different functions (program management PSM, M&E,finance) to ensure quality analysis of the issues and identification of appropriate solutions, ensuring that this is captured in the PUDR, and double checking the PUDRs in collaboration with the PM (GF) to ensure accuracy and quality reporting before forwarding to Global Fund;
• Ensure all fund management and disbursement functions are in line with NMCP and GF financial policies and procedures.

c.) Training and Technical Assistance

• Periodically visit implementing partners (SRs) and provide training and TA in the areas of Finance and Grant Management;
• Ensure implementing partners (SRs) have a clear work plan and budget;
• Ensure PMU staffs trained on grant compliance issues to ensure compliance with NMCP and GF requirements;
• Guide and support sub recipients' accountants and other staff to ensure GF financial management standards are upheld.
• Arrange additional training/capacity building for implementing partners (SRs) as required:
• Support grants team to analyze monthly expenditure, raising alarms when overspends/under-spends are recognized.

d.) Team Management and Development

• Manage the finance team, ensure recruitment, training and promotion of staff are appropriate and ensure availability of professional development opportunities;
• Ensure effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of dear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.

e.) Others

• Oversee occasional related tasks in the Administration, Logistics,Procurement, and HR sphere.
• Perform other duties assigned by the National Coordinator, NMCP.

Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced Degree in Accounting/Finance;
• ICAN or equivalent degree (CA,CPA,ACCA) strongly recommended;
• A minimum of 10 years non-profit accounting and grants management experience;
• Understanding of GF policies and procedures would be viewed favourably;
• Effectiveness in training and coaching finance and non-finance staff in internal control policies and procedures to ensure highest standards are maintained;
• Excellent experience of budgeting and budget management;
• Excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures;
• Excellent experience of computerized accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word;
• A confident communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines;
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to operate effectively within a constantly changing environment;
• "Can do" attitude, with proven ability to deliver results and manage change effectively;
• Ability to build a proactive team, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary.

Application Closing Date
6th September, 2013

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should forward a Letter of intent, highlighting the required attributes with CV to:

The National Coordinator,
National Malaria Control Programme
Abuja, FCT.

Or Email: [email protected]

Note:

• Submissions without a subject title will NOT be processed.
• All applications must be received by Friday, 6th September 2013.
• Interviews will commence thereafter with a view to engaging the best candidates immediately.
• Only shortlisted candidates would be contacted for further assessment/interviews.