Finance & Operations Manager at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Overview

• The Finance & Operations Manager will assist the Project Director with safeguarding the assets (financial and physical) of MSH and ultimately the Fleming Fund Project against fraud, loss, or misuse. 
• The person has the primary responsibility to ensure that project operations and payments are efficient and effective, comply with MSH standards, donor, and local country regulations, and support the attainment of project results and client expectations.
• The Finance & Operations Manager is part of the project leadership team and will oversee the financial management of the project. This includes oversight of finance and accounting activities to guarantee timely and cost-effective delivery of goods and services. 
• The Finance & Operations Manager will liaise with local partners, donors, and MSH’s headquarters regarding any aspects of program implementation, contractual, risk management, cost share, governance, and all other matters related to finance. 
• The person will become aware of, and adhere to, MSH’s procurement integrity standards in all activities.

Responsibilities
Financial & Operational Management:

• Preparation of internal and external financial reports including month and year-end reports, donor financial reports/ validation of draft reports if the submission of donor reports is centralized at HQ, and local statutorily required financial statements.
• Perform robust spot checks and regular reviews of the financial accounts and supporting documents.
• Prepare Monthly Financial Reports and ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled accurately each month.
• Monitor expenses regularly and establish controls to ensure that project expenses adhere to MSH and donor policies and procedures.
• Ensure the integrity of MSH’s financial management systems (QuickBooks & Costpoint). Ensure robust and clearly defined controls and expectations in the correct application of the financial management systems.
• Provide senior-level strategic support and guidance to the project team in all areas related to project financial management. • Monitor project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to achieve successful outcomes.
• Provide routine pipeline analyses, and any ad hoc reports requested by the donor.
• Perform routine financial analysis on program expenditures, documenting and monitoring overall performance, analyzing trends, and identifying gaps to ensure efficient and sound project management.
• Ensure that payments are processed accurately, timely, and safely (to minimize MSH’s risk exposure).
• Ensure that treasury practices in country minimize MSH’s cash exposure.
• Ensure that entries are entered into the financial system accurately, timely and reviewed for compliance.
• Implement standard procedures and forms that promote and/or ensure program compliance with the project contract terms and conditions in coordination with HQ and ensure program spending provides the best value.
• Drive initiatives to improve workflow and streamline the internal control processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Project Planning & Budgeting:

• Lead the program's annual budget development & revision process including working closely with technical and operations teams to develop an annual work plan, life-of-project budget, and an activity plan budget, ensuring that all necessary costs are included accurately and completely and that these costs are reasonable and allowable.
• Maintain systems for program budget monitoring and tracking that include financial and contractual data.
• Work with project team to ensure budgets are reflective of planned activities, are feasible to implement, planned costs in compliance with donor regulations, and value for money.
• Prepare the monthly cash flow projections and monitor the continued availability of funds to cover the requirements of the project.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Supervise the Finance and Operations staff and ensure that the team is accountable for their performance management (including regular results, check-ins, formal appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching, and career development support), fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.
• Ensure staff 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.
• Provide training and guidance and develop priorities, monitor achievements, and evaluate performance of staff.
• Other tasks as requested by supervisor

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure that project activities and management operations are implemented according to MSH's mission, values, policies, standard operating procedures, local laws and regulations, and safeguard MSH's reputation – Financial and Contractual integrity.
• Ensure that control systems are in place to certify that project operations are well managed, and that staff act in full compliance with local laws, comply with the terms and conditions of contract/award and donor requirements, and MSH policies and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct regular and thorough operational risk assessments and monitor the success of risk mitigation and risk control activities.
• Coordinate the execution of internal and external financial reviews or audits and ensure timely follow-up to review or audit conclusions and recommendations in close collaboration with the project team.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duty in all procurement and payment activities from initiation to final payment and documentation.
• Other tasks as requested by Supervisor

Qualifications

• Minimum: Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Professional Accounting certification (e.g. ACCA, ICAN, CPA) is required.
• 8 years’ experience in a similar position
• Knowledge and experience of handling Donor funded projects including knowledge of donor rules and regulations.
• Understanding of key aspects of accounting.
• Ability to use basic accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required with the ability to operate in a culturally diverse organization and communicate professionally to all levels within the organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel spreadsheets.
• Must possess good report writing, presentation, data analytics, and interpretation skills.
• A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude, in line with MSH’s values.
• Strong teamworking orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organization.
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Collaboration Skills
• Demonstrate good judgment and sound financial knowledge.
• Ability to create and monitor budgets. Understanding of Cash Control, Asset Management, and Bank Reconciliations.
• Understanding of principles of adequate documentation and of audit, and performance necessary to ensure audit compliance.
• Good ethical conduct.
• Monitoring/assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Constructive and productive team player with good communication and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail