Director of Finance & Administration

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking a Director of Finance & Administration for the anticipated USAID/Ethiopia-funded Health Financing Program follow-on to the current Health Financing Improvement Program. The purpose of this activity is to support the Ethiopian government in its efforts to further strengthen and institutionalize health financing reforms and initiatives that support universal health coverage of quality primary health care (PHC) services for all Ethiopian citizens with reduced financial barriers. The specific objectives of the current Activity include (1) Increased domestic resource mobilization for enhanced provision of quality PHC services; (2) Streamlined risk-sharing/insurance mechanisms for wider access to PHC services with reduced financial barriers; (3) Facilitated strategic purchasing of health services from public and private health providers; and (4) Improved governance, management, and evidence generation for health care financing reforms and health facilities.  

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES  

The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) reports to the Chief of Party (COP) and works closely with the project leadership team to provide high-level financial management and operations leadership, contract and grant management support. The DFA ensures that financial and operational functions support the timely and effective implementation of the project’s technical scope of work and provides counsel to help project leadership ensure that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures. The DFA will liaise with the project leadership team, local partners, USAID and MSH’s headquarters regarding any aspects of program implementation, contractual, risk management, cost share, governance and all other matters related to finance and administration.  

The DFA provides authoritative leadership on all budget, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting and contract matters to ensure timely and effective implementation of the program's activities in Ethiopia. This includes oversight of procurement, grants, construction, logistics, human resources, accounting and finance, and records. This individual will be responsible for managing the contract budget and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID. They will ensure funds expended are compliant with USG regulations and policies and implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award. 

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY 

Financial Management: 

• Lead program annual budget development process which includes managing the annual work plan, life-of-project and activity budgets and ensuring compliance of program expenditures with approved budgets. Ensure the consistency, inclusion, and accuracy of costs and compliance with agreed policy and practices. Work with staff in developing budgets for technical activities and revise overall and sub-budgets as needed throughout the work plan year. 

• Maintain systems for program budget monitoring and tracking that include financial and contractual data. Provide routine pipeline analyses to COP and USAID as well as any ad hoc reports requested by USAID. Perform routine financial analysis on program expenditures, documenting and monitoring overall performance, analyzing trends, identifying gaps to ensure efficient and sound project management. 

• Coordinate contract management activities, working with program staff, home office and partners to draft, manage and monitor implementation of contracts. Provide routine progress reports to program management team. 

• Serve as a local lead for preparation of budgets and budget amendments. 

• Monitor adjustments to the annual budget whenever required. 

• Coordinate monthly requests of funds, based on budget and cash flow projections, to ensure the program has all the necessary funds for the operations. 

• Review purchase orders and confer with team leader, ensuring all program procurement of commercial goods and services is within agreed upon thresholds. 

• Ensure all program staff is trained on USAID Rules and Regulations and compliance with the Cooperative Agreement or Contract. 

Grants Management: 

• Supervise grant and contract administration functions.  Supervise the project grant management team. 

• Lead correspondence with grantees, local subcontractors, and MSH Home Office. 

• Lead the design of the grants program; make recommendations to the Chief of Party for the selection of the grant instruments.   

• Manage the development of the Request for Applications; determine appropriate deadlines and scope of work.  Collaborate with the Corporate Contract Office in the development and revision of all grant templates. 

• Participate and be a voting member of the selection committee. Prepare, present, and negotiate grants. 

• Document the process by which grantees are selected for awards; notify applicants and other stakeholders of award decisions. 

• Conduct pre-award surveys of the grantees and complete capacity building plans and compliance monitoring plans for each grantee.  

• Oversee compliance with the terms and conditions of the grants. Provide technical assistance to grantees to build their capacity. 

• Monitor grantees’ compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant and the grantees’ policies and procedures.  

• Keep abreast of, interpret, and provide training and guidance to project staff and grantees on all donor regulations and policies (including but not limited to Circulars A-110, A-122. Educate program staff and grantees on agreement compliance and operational topics. 

• Approve invoices and payments to grantees. Supervise all aspects of grant close out. 

Administration: 

• Collaborate with the Chief of Party to (a) ensure that project activities and management operations are implemented as per MSH Mission, values, and policies, and standard operating procedures, and local laws and regulations, and (b) to safeguard MSH's financial, contractual, and political integrity. 

• Supports the COP in the management of the project, aligning staff, systems, and other resources with the annual work plan and budget to provide timely, cost effective, responsive, and high-quality operations and administrative support within local laws and available resources, and in an environment with adequate internal controls, adhering to contracts regulations, MSH Policies, and standard operating procedures. 

• Ensure timely submission of administrative and financial reports to the team leader and corporate operations office as required. 

• Provide administrative supervision to the project specific support staff and take accountability for their performance management. 

• In liaison with the project leadership team, coordinate execution of internal/external financial, operations, and program reviews or audits and ensure timely follow up to review or audit conclusions and recommendations. 

• Participate in project risk register development and implementation and take proactive steps to mitigate risks within operational functions. 

• Responsible for risk management and good governance. 

General: 

• Ensure project actions are governed by the highest standards of personal and business conduct as stipulated in policy guidelines. 

• Contribute to maintaining teamwork, discipline, sound work relationships and productivity. 

• Ensure that unit staff charges their time to the different project activities in a manner which accurately reflects their level of effort. 

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance and Accounting or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience. 

• Minimum of eight years of experience managing, in increasing roles of responsibility, finance, procurement, contracts management, construction, logistics and/or human resource related matters for international development activities of similar dollar value. 

• At least eight years’ experience in financial and operational management of complex international development assistance programs.  

• Significant experience with USAID-funded projects preferably in Ethiopia with regional experience strongly desirable, USAID experience highly desirable. 

• Thorough knowledge of USAID financial reporting and compliance requirements.  

• Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail. 

• Proven leadership and capacity in negotiation and conflict management. 

• Demonstrated experience of providing technical assistance to organization and conducting training.  

• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills. Proficient computer skills are required. 

• Fluency in English required. Language skills in Amharic an advantage. 

• Experience in maintaining excellent communication with Headquarters. 

• Ability and willingness to travel within Ethiopia. 

• Local candidates strongly preferred. 

How to Apply

Interested and well qualified applicants may send their application letter and CV through the application link below: Click Here

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.