The USAID-funded Nigeria Targeted States High Impact Project (TSHIP) is recruiting
Job Title: Senior Finance & Grants Compliance Specialist
Type: Full time
Job opening ID: 24
Location: Sokoto, Bauchi
Roles and responsibilities
The USAID-funded Nigeria Targeted States High Impact Project (TSHIP) is a five-year integrated maternal, newborn, and child health; family planning; and reproductive health (MNCH/FP/RH) project increasing the use of high impact interventions in Bauchi and Sokoto States. Working in conjunction with local and international partners and stakeholders, TSHIP’s approach is to build quality health services, community engagement, and effective health systems to increase use of high impact health interventions among communities in Northern Nigeria. TSHIP implements an integrated package assisting state and local governments to improve primary health care services by filling in gaps in capacity, building on institutional strengths, and improving each household’s ability to protect and promote their own health. TSHIP forges strong and durable bonds between community institutions and the health care delivery system in Bauchi and Sokoto, with measurably improved household practices, increased use of services, improved health systems and management, and higher quality service delivery
Summary of key functions:
The Senior Finance & Grants Compliance Specialist (Snr. F&GS) provides objective assurance that TSHIP project state office business risk are evaluated and managed appropriately and effectively. The person in collaboration with the state office Finance and Administration Specialist (F&AS) is responsible for coordinating, leading, managing and evaluating all financial and administrative functions of the state office and working closely with the Director of Finance & Support Services (DF&SS) provides objective assurance TSHIP project business risks are managed appropriately and the organization’s risk management and internal control framework are operating effectively. The Senior Finance & Grants Specialist (Snr. F&GS) actively reviews the reliability and integrity of financial and operating information, the systems established by the organization to ensure compliance with TSHIP policies and procedures, JSI/donor policies and regulations and USG and host country laws and regulations.
The Senior Finance & Grants Compliance Specialist reports directly to the Director of Finance & Support Services. This position is responsible for the development, implementation and management of the scope and coordination of compliance, financial and administrative reviews, review of state office expenses reports and corresponding receipt packages on a monthly basis ensuring that reporting methods and supporting documentation conform to USAID regulations and TSHIP/JSI internal policies and procedures.
Work in collaboration with the Director of Finance & Support Services to design and implement cost-effective policies and procedures to ensure internal controls are effective for reliable financial reporting, safeguarding the organization’s assets, providing efficient processes and procedures and achieving regulatory compliance. Verify that internal controls are efficient and effective to mitigate business risks to an acceptable level.
Maintain an expert knowledge of TSHIP/JSI’s internal policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations.
Review state office expense reports and corresponding receipt packages on a monthly basis ensuring that reporting methods and supporting documentation conform to USAID regulations and TSHIP/JSI internal policies and procedures.
Review purchase orders, subcontract, sub grant terms and limits to ensure compliance and prompt payment of invoices upon payment request by vendors, subcontractors and sub grantees.
On regular basis, ensure that project financial and administrative reports are reviewed and checked for accuracy, completeness and compliance. Work directly and promptly with F&AS and Accountant to correct any inaccuracies.
Ensure transactions compliance with USAID procedures and regulations.
Assist the F&AS and the Accountant in the management and reconciliation of staff program advances and sub grantees disbursements and liquidations.
Prepare ad-hoc reports as needed by the state management team, sub objective teams and home office.
Provide monitoring and support of F&AS and Accountant during the monthly and annual close process, helping to achieve 100% on-time submissions of monthly financial reports to home office and minimal coding and compliance errors.
In collaboration with Grants Manager train and coach finance staff on the grants management process, including sub grantees disbursements/liquidations, compliance, ongoing grants management, forecasting, e/t/c.
Assist the sub objective teams, grants and program support with monthly/quarterly forecast and budget analysis.
Serve as resource person for subcontracts and sub grants and keeps the Grants Manager and the team updated on relevant compliances guidelines and procedures
Liaise with state office F&AS and Assistant Grants Manager to ensure accurate records of subcontracts and sub grants contracts and budget management and expenditure control
Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Finance & Support Services
Skill set
o Ability to work well and communicate effectively with others; role requires serving multiple constituencies and moving initiatives forward.
o Expert skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Quick Books or similar accounting package; comfortable in a Windows PC environment
o The position also requires superior organizational skills to prioritize and multitasking of varied objectives and duties, and the ability to effectively interpret and communicate accounting and financial issues to others.
o Ability to work independent with minimal supervision and no maintain flexibility in working hours
o Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
o Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
This job description may be modified from time to time at the discretion of the management.
Requirements
o Minimum of a Master degree in Finance or Accounting or Business Administration.
o ACA or CAN or ACCA or equivalent designation desired
o At least five years in a financial management capacity entailing supervision and mentoring and coaching of staff, management of accounting, budgeting and financial reporting, including management of donor funding sources and US government grants.
o Experience interacting with senior management/leadership regarding internal compliance, control and best practices concepts.
o Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations and past International Development sector experience are preferred.
o Demonstrated strong oral and written English communication skills
Method of Application
Interested candidates apply below with application letters and recent curriculum vitae before the closing date.
Closing Date: Tuesday 14th, November, 2011