Job Vacancies at Options Consultancy Services Limited

Department Finance, Management Services
Reporting to: Head of International Finance
Liaison with: Programme Management, HR, Legal & Overseas Finance Teams
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Type of contract: Permanent

Main Purpose of Job

• The primary responsibility is to provide financial management services, assurance and monitoring on designated Options’ programmes and will take the lead on project related financial reporting from Host Agencies and Key Suppliers and Options Overseas Offices.
• The post also manages various financial processes within designated programmes working alongside the Programme Manager.
• Note: All levels of position in the organisation assume some degree of responsibility for safeguarding. Your accountabilities will align with the level and scope of the position and appropriate training will be provided.

Main Duties
Project Finance:
You would be working closely with the Project Management team and project finance staff based overseas, in managing project finances to include:

• Managing the client invoicing process to ensure invoices are produced and sent to the client in good time and to standards set out by Options and that of the client.
• Ensure that bespoke client contractual financial requirements are adhered to on each designated programme by all Options staff.
• Ensure all costs and income are correctly accounted for each month and programme trackers are reconciled to SUN.
• Foster relationships with overseas Finance Managers to ensure they are working in line with the Options Finance Manual, including quality assurance of their monthly returns.
• Ensure that each Options office has a functional Finance Manual.
• Monitor programme financial performance against approved contract budgets as well as Options budgets / forecasts ensuring contractual requirements are met.
• Complete monthly financial variance analysis in addition to the PM variance analysis.
• Produce budget / forecast jointly with the PM on a biannual basis.
• Produce programme financial reports for the client jointly with the PM and provide finance sign off to ensure reports reconcile to the accounting system and in line with the client’s requirements.
• Full audit and uploading of all monthly financial returns from overseas offices and selected key suppliers including full monthly reconciliations of all Options overseas bank and cash accounts and key supplier balances back to the accounting system with exchange differences realised.
• Provide monthly financial reviews to PM’s discussing major variances and agreeing / suggesting corrective action.
• Undertake financial audit visits to Options overseas offices and key suppliers, as required. Work with
• local staff to agree corrective actions and monitor progress thereafter.
• Contribute to Options Due Diligence for major suppliers.
• Provide adhoc financial advice / audit to projects, as required.
• Conduct audit review on Options overseas Offices (likely 2 per year).

General Financial:

• With the PM, complete the recharge tracker for team member recharges on a monthly basis and upload and reconcile to the accounting system.
• Maintain Q & A reports and update management reports as necessary to the adapting needs of the business.
• Maintaining IATI data for selected Options programmes
• Produce the year end audit schedules for designated programmes, including payroll schedule, deferred / accrued income schedule, fixed asset schedule, accrual schedule.
• Responsible for financial compliance of overseas office openings and closures.
• To take the Finance Department lead for named activities agreed with the Director of Finance.
• Contribute and maintain the Options Finance Manual.
• Ensure Programme Managers are fully aware and trained in Options financial procedures.
• To alert Senior Programme Manager and the Director of Finance where there are on-going concerns on programme financial management.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level
• Qualified or working towards a recognised financial qualification e.g. (AAT, ACCA, CIMA)

Experience:

• In depth experience of supporting client focussed projects, preferably in international development
• In depth experience of project / programme focussed budgeting and accounting
• Experience of Sun and Vision (or eq accounting system)
• Experience of creating financial reports from SUN / Q&A covering programme level through to Management Account Level (or eq accounting system)
• Experience of project management in consultancy/NGO/small business environment
• Experience working in an international organisation with multiple sites
• Experience working in Finance in an overseas location
• Experience of new office set up in an overseas location.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced IT proficiency including financial software, Excel and Word
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent team player and ability to work using own initiative
• Ability to mentor and support non-financial staff with complex financial scenarios
• Is able to display sound judgement and decision-making skills
• Knowledge of large institutional donors and their operational and reporting requirements (USAID, EC, DFID etc.).

Other requirements

• Pro-choice
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• A commitment to the programme’s and Options’ principles of Safeguarding,
• Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Remuneration
Commensurate with experience.

go to method of application »

Department: Technical Department
Reporting to: Technical Director
Responsible for: Senior Consultant, Health Systems & Financing
Liaison with: Options global team, other UK departments and overseas programmes
Hours: Full time, as per the country office standard working times
Type of contract: Permanent

Main Purpose of Job

• The role of Principle Consultant, Health Systems Financing is to provide technical support on health financing and systems strengthening across Options’ portfolio of programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• The post-holder will be able to appreciate the complexities of and dynamic interactions within health systems including the political context in which they function.
• Through a combination of backstopping support to programme teams and direct technical delivery, they will support the design, implementation and monitoring of health financing approaches to support achievement of universal health coverage. This may include, for example:
• Technical support and advocacy for domestic resource mobilisation for health in the context of transition.
• This could include tracking of national and sub-national budgets, support to prioritisation and the development of country-specific evidence briefs to be used to advocate for increased investment in health.
• Technical support to strengthen public financial management (PFM) processes within the health sector to align with the country’s health financing objectives. This could include support to identify and address blockages in the PFM system to ensure allocation and expenditure of budgets in line with stated priorities.
• Technical assistance to governments as they design and implement health financing reforms, with a particular focus on resilience and primary health care centred universal health coverage.
• This could include the design and application of diagnostic tools and convening of key stakeholders to build consensus on strategies to address local priorities.

Main Duties
Technical Assistance to Programmes:

• As part of the Technical Department, provide backstopping and strategic support on health systems financing across a selection of Options programmes through the provision of technical advice, analysis and quality assurance of technical resources.
• Undertake technical assistance assignments in health systems strengthening and health financing as well as other areas of specialist expertise such as public financial management and health economics as relevant. This will be through on-going inputs to long term programmes and one-off assignments.
• Contribute to the development of project results frameworks, theories of change and support their use and adaptation for effective programme delivery.
• Provide technical support and skills development to country stakeholders including programme staff, government officials and civil society organisations.
• Engage with national governments and other stakeholders to solicit feedback and redress areas of concern
• Liaise with donors and other external development partners to ensure programmes meet objectives and expectations
• Advise on areas of potential risk and support the development of mitigation strategies.

Proposal Development, communication and dissemination:

• Lead the technical design and development of proposals, especially relating to health systems strengthening and health financing
• Provide oversight and inputs into technical components of proposals being developed by other members of the Technical Department.

Prospecting for new business:

• Identify and develop new programme opportunities, building on technical expertise and geographic knowledge
• Build and maintain networks of donors, partners and influencers and use these to promote Options’ work and to attract new business
• Utilise opportunities to represent Options effectively and help position Options as a thought leader in health systems financing

Organisational learning:

• Provide strategic support to Options’ London team, overseas teams and consultants as required in relation to health systems financing
• Enable technical exchange and learning between programme staff by convening virtual or in-person events and proactively sharing learning resources and tools and connecting individuals from across the organisation.
• Contribute to the documentation of results and the publication and dissemination of research and learning.

Management:

• Manage project consultants, Technical Advisors, Technical Officers or interns as required
• Through support and guidance to existing staff, help to grow Options’ expertise in health systems financing.

Training:

• Increase and maintain your own area of expertise through continuous self-development.
• Participate in relevant external training and capacity building undertaken by Options.

Qualifications

• An M.Sc or relevant qualification or related comparable experience in Public Heath, Health Financing, Public Financial Management, Health Economics or in a relevant field.

Experience:

• Experience of working in Africa and/or Asia in a relevant capacity and with governments; international agencies and local NGOs
• Experience delivering technical work on health financing in similar organisations
• Experience applying tools and providing technical assistance in
• public financial management, impact modelling and/or health economics
• Experience providing backstopping support to individuals and
• teams in remote settings through in-person and virtual engagement
• Experience of developing strong relationships with government officials within health and finance authorities
• Experience in providing technical assistance in at least three of the following areas: health financing policy or strategy  development, budgeting and planning, health budget  advocacy, political economy analysis, sustainability and  transition; public financial management, costing and efficiency  analysis; results-based financing; social and financial risk protection; contracting; design and/or operationalisation of health insurance schemes; impact modelling and health  economics.
• Experience of working alongside national stakeholders and
• institutions to build skills and competencies e.g. in health  financing concepts or budget analysis
• Experience of dialogue with government and donor clients to  successfully negotiate solutions
• Experience of leading technical bids
• Established networks which will contribute to Options business development
• Portfolio of publications.

Skills and Attributes:

• Technical specialism in Health Systems Strengthening with a focus on Health Financing
• Knowledge about Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and
• Adolescent Health (RMNCAH)/communicable diseases in developing countries
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present data (eg government budgets) so that it is easily understood by non-experts
• Excellent skills in written and verbal communication
• Proven ability to network and manage relationships with clients, consultants and technical resource persons
• Self-starter as well as good team-worker
• Ability to actively contribute to strategy and business development in health systems financing and beyond.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical delivery of programmes.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that enables effective team building and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical writing of bids.
• Excellent written and spoken French.

Other Requirements:

• Pro-choice
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• A commitment to the programme’s and Options’ principles of
• Safeguarding, Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and
• reproductive health and rights
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Remuneration
Commensurate with experience.

go to method of application »

Department: Technical Department
Reporting to: Technical Director
Responsible for: Senior Consultant, Health Systems & Financing
Liaison with: Options global team, other UK departments and overseas programmes
Hours: Full time, as per the country office standard working times
Type of contract: Permanent

Main Purpose of Job

• The role of Principle Consultant, Health Systems Financing is to provide technical support on health financing and systems strengthening across Options’ portfolio of programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• The post-holder will be able to appreciate the complexities of and dynamic interactions within health systems including the political context in which they function.
• Through a combination of backstopping support to programme teams and direct technical delivery, they will support the design, implementation and monitoring of health financing approaches to support achievement of universal health coverage. This may include, for example:
• Technical support and advocacy for domestic resource mobilisation for health in the context of transition.
• This could include tracking of national and sub-national budgets, support to prioritisation and the development of country-specific evidence briefs to be used to advocate for increased investment in health.
• Technical support to strengthen public financial management (PFM) processes within the health sector to align with the country’s health financing objectives. This could include support to identify and address blockages in the PFM system to ensure allocation and expenditure of budgets in line with stated priorities.
• Technical assistance to governments as they design and implement health financing reforms, with a particular focus on resilience and primary health care centred universal health coverage.
• This could include the design and application of diagnostic tools and convening of key stakeholders to build consensus on strategies to address local priorities.

Main Duties
Technical Assistance to Programmes:

• As part of the Technical Department, provide backstopping and strategic support on health systems financing across a selection of Options programmes through the provision of technical advice, analysis and quality assurance of technical resources.
• Undertake technical assistance assignments in health systems strengthening and health financing as well as other areas of specialist expertise such as public financial management and health economics as relevant. This will be through on-going inputs to long term programmes and one-off assignments.
• Contribute to the development of project results frameworks, theories of change and support their use and adaptation for effective programme delivery.
• Provide technical support and skills development to country stakeholders including programme staff, government officials and civil society organisations.
• Engage with national governments and other stakeholders to solicit feedback and redress areas of concern
• Liaise with donors and other external development partners to ensure programmes meet objectives and expectations
• Advise on areas of potential risk and support the development of mitigation strategies.

Proposal Development, communication and dissemination:

• Lead the technical design and development of proposals, especially relating to health systems strengthening and health financing
• Provide oversight and inputs into technical components of proposals being developed by other members of the Technical Department.

Prospecting for new business:

• Identify and develop new programme opportunities, building on technical expertise and geographic knowledge
• Build and maintain networks of donors, partners and influencers and use these to promote Options’ work and to attract new business
• Utilise opportunities to represent Options effectively and help position Options as a thought leader in health systems financing

Organisational learning:

• Provide strategic support to Options’ London team, overseas teams and consultants as required in relation to health systems financing
• Enable technical exchange and learning between programme staff by convening virtual or in-person events and proactively sharing learning resources and tools and connecting individuals from across the organisation.
• Contribute to the documentation of results and the publication and dissemination of research and learning.

Management:

• Manage project consultants, Technical Advisors, Technical Officers or interns as required
• Through support and guidance to existing staff, help to grow Options’ expertise in health systems financing.

Training:

• Increase and maintain your own area of expertise through continuous self-development.
• Participate in relevant external training and capacity building undertaken by Options.

Qualifications

• An M.Sc or relevant qualification or related comparable experience in Public Heath, Health Financing, Public Financial Management, Health Economics or in a relevant field.

Experience:

• Experience of working in Africa and/or Asia in a relevant capacity and with governments; international agencies and local NGOs
• Experience delivering technical work on health financing in similar organisations
• Experience applying tools and providing technical assistance in
• public financial management, impact modelling and/or health economics
• Experience providing backstopping support to individuals and
• teams in remote settings through in-person and virtual engagement
• Experience of developing strong relationships with government officials within health and finance authorities
• Experience in providing technical assistance in at least three of the following areas: health financing policy or strategy  development, budgeting and planning, health budget  advocacy, political economy analysis, sustainability and  transition; public financial management, costing and efficiency  analysis; results-based financing; social and financial risk protection; contracting; design and/or operationalisation of health insurance schemes; impact modelling and health  economics.
• Experience of working alongside national stakeholders and
• institutions to build skills and competencies e.g. in health  financing concepts or budget analysis
• Experience of dialogue with government and donor clients to  successfully negotiate solutions
• Experience of leading technical bids
• Established networks which will contribute to Options business development
• Portfolio of publications.

Skills and Attributes:

• Technical specialism in Health Systems Strengthening with a focus on Health Financing
• Knowledge about Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and
• Adolescent Health (RMNCAH)/communicable diseases in developing countries
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present data (eg government budgets) so that it is easily understood by non-experts
• Excellent skills in written and verbal communication
• Proven ability to network and manage relationships with clients, consultants and technical resource persons
• Self-starter as well as good team-worker
• Ability to actively contribute to strategy and business development in health systems financing and beyond.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical delivery of programmes.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills that enables effective team building and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical writing of bids.
• Excellent written and spoken French.

Other Requirements:

• Pro-choice
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• A commitment to the programme’s and Options’ principles of
• Safeguarding, Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and
• reproductive health and rights
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Remuneration
Commensurate with experience.