Nigerian Public Financial Management Specialist at Connexus Corporation

About the Job

Connexus Corporation (www.connexuscorporation.com) seeks a Senior Public Financial Management Specialist to propose as a long-termer on USAID/Nigeria’s upcoming State2State project. The project aims to increase the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of selected state and local governments in Nigeria, beginning in Sokoto, Bauchi and a third state in year 1 and expanding to three more states within the 5 year project.  

The activity design is based on the following development hypothesis: If the efficiency and sustainability of state and local governments are increased and they are better able to provide services that address the priorities of their citizens while mitigating potential sources of conflict, then subnational governance in Nigeria will be more accountable, transparent and effective. 

The core objective of the project will be to support the reform of state and local governance to improve delivery of public services, especially related to primary health care, basic education and water, sanitation and hygiene services. Emphasis will be on various aspects of public financial management, such as: budget planning, implementation and execution; budget transparency; domestic resource mobilization; procurement reform; internal controls; audit; and monitoring and evaluation.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The role of Long-term Public Financial Management (PFM) Specialist will support State2States’ objective by working closely with local and state authorities to develop and strengthen PFM systems, policies, and procedures. These activities will be grouped under the following three components: 1) Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Management; 2) Budget Planning and Execution; and 3) other PFM priorities or initiatives identified in coordination with the Government of Nigeria and USAID.

This position requires extensive experience in economic analysis and forecasting, knowledge and experience working on public budgets, ability to provide technical assistance on policy development and implementation, and to assist with revenue forecasting. The PFM Specialist will manage and oversee the work on other local PFM advisors and will report directly to the project’s Chief of Party.

Detailed responsibilities:

• Work with state and local government authorities to raise awareness of the benefits of improved transparency and empowerment of local constituents;
• Provide policy advice on expenditure proposals, including forward estimates;
• Provide revenue forecasting and integrate with macro and sectoral data;
• Lead the work of the PFM performance management team, organize workshops that integrate public and private sector actors to discuss key issues, and brief the Chief of Party on progress;
• In partnership with state and local governments, work with Communications team to highlight results and facilitate transparency and understanding on the use of public sector funds to the general public.
• Other duties as assigned and based upon the needs of the approved State2State work plan.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required (Masters preferred) in business, economics, international studies, global health, or related field
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience related to Public Financial Management
• Some project management experience (preferably USAID), monitoring budget and expenditure, managing consulting teams, and providing support to field teams and local counterparts
• Experience with event planning preferred
• Exceptional writing and organizational skills, with proven ability to multi-task and work under tight time constraints
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria (position to be based in Abuja)