Financial Management Advisor at Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL)

Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Reports to: Project Manager
Expected Duration of Assignment: 18 months

Project Background
The Nigerian health system is weak and unresponsive as a result of years of grappling with poor infrastructure, inadequate equipment and technology, inadequate number and mix of healthcare workers, poor capacity of health sector stakeholders, poor information management/sharing mechanisms and under investment by the government. Against this backdrop, the country struggles in the move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As many countries continue to progress towards the achievement of UHC goals, sustainable mechanisms for financing healthcare, improvements in human resources for health management and budget processes for health as well as strengthening systems for health accounts have been identified as crucial.

The Global Fund’s Catalytic Health System Investment Programme for prioritised states in Nigeria including Kaduna, Imo and Oyo clearly identifies a number of key interventions to strengthen health systems in the focus states. These interventions include amongst others:

• Strengthen public financial management (PFM) capacity of the Ministries of Health in Kaduna, Imo and Oyo to develop, execute and advocate for realistic and evidence-based spending on health in line with international best practices;
• Conduct necessary actuarial analysis and roll-out/support of state health insurance schemes;
• Assess Health Labour Market; and,
• Carry out and update state health accounts.

Job Purpose

• The Financial Management Advisor will work with the State Ministries of Health and State Contributory Health Agenciesin focus states to develop sound financial management and accounting systems, processes and tools.
• The Advisor will also provide technical and capacity building assistance to the State Contributory Health Agencies to develop and operationalize a financial management system that is suitable to their needs.
• Summary of Key Functions
• Conduct a situational analysis of the proposed financial management and accounting systems for the Ministry of Health and the Health Contributory Scheme Agencies in the various states and benchmark this with best practices and assessment of their needs.
• Review and analyse accounting information from data collected
• Work with the relevant staff to generate preferred options and make recommendations to management for approval.
• Provide technical assistance for either revising the proposed system or developing a new one, based on management decision to address salient aspects such as risk adjustment, pooling, management of premium contributions and other cash flow, accounting, book keeping and etc.
• Develop training materials for the different levels of staff that will use the financial management and accounting systems.
• Lead the facilitation of financial management training which will be based on developed training courses. The training will be delivered to participants (mainly from the Agencies) in Kaduna, Imo and Oyo states
• Develop financial risk mitigation and adjustment/equalization strategies for the scheme.
• Support development of processes e.g. generation of periodic reports, managing enrolment collections and government funding as well as development of other essential financial templates e.g. financial reports, contract notes/letters, etc., all in compliance with existing legislation and regulation concerning public financial management in the three states and Nigeria.

Educational Qualification and Experience
Education:

• An advanced Degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline
• A well-recognized professional certification (ACA, ACCA etc.)

Work Experience:

• At least 8 years’ relevant experience
• Experience in the health sector would be an added advantage

Competencies:

• Outstanding analytical skills
• Financial reporting skills
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Packages, especially Excel
• A high commercial acumen
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
• Effective stakeholder engagement/management skills
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Excellent leadership and influence skills; lead and work in teams effectively and show mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills