Vacancies At National Malaria Control Programme

(Global Fund Program) to the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) in Nigeria.

Station: Abuja

Reporting: To the National Coordinator.

Job Description: The job entails the provision of Technical Advice to the National Coordinator (NC) in support of the successful implementation of the Global Fund grant in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan, which focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment, advocacy, communication, monitoring & evaluation and community mobilization. 

Scope Of Work: The technical advisory covers all aspects of the Global Fund Malaria Control Project in Nigeria and related activities.

Duties and Responsibilities: The overall responsibility of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) is to render technical assistance to the National Coordinator on the effective coordination, implementation and management of Global Fund Malaria Control Project and  in collaboration with the Program Manager (GF), provide day to day support to the NCMP Global Fund Team in mitigating bottlenecks and performance challenges in order to achieve grant activities and targets within designated timelines.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Monitoring grant performance, including the results against Performance Framework 24 hours of onset of symptoms;Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets. 
• Bring-up to the NC’s attention weekly/monthly schedules of GF Project activities to be indicator targets, adherence to program Budget, Work plan, and Program Implementation Plan (PIP), as well as timely fulfillment of the Grant-related Condition Precedents (CPs) and Special Terms and Conditions (STCs);implemented by NMCP or those by other partners/SRs in which NMCP is to play a role;
• Keeping tab on timely attainment of GF Project deliverables and bringing up any identified bottlenecks to the attention of the NC before the process is severely jeopardized, whileproviding effective risk mitigation recommendations;
• Keeping tab on all management letters and ensuring that all issues raised are resolved expeditiously in collaboration with the Global Fund Program Manager and Team;
• Ensuring that grant documentation and filing procedures (including effective filing of soft copies and effective back up system) are implemented and an up-to-date file is maintained for each SR with timely inclusion of all relevant documents, including copies of communication/disbursement records;
• Ensuring that program documents requested on a regular or ad-hoc basis (such as training plans, revised grant agreement documents, etc) meet the relevant criteria/fully address the relevant comments from GF and partners and are quality checked before submission to the Global Fund;
• Ensuring that Progress Update and Disbursement Requests (PUDRs) are discussed collectively with the different functions (program management, PSM, M&E, finance, internal audit) to ensure quality analysis of the issues and identification of appropriate solutions, ensuring that this is captured in the PUDR, and double checking the PUDRs in collaboration with the PM (GF) to ensure accuracy and quality reporting before forwarding to Global Fund;
• Bringing to the attention of the NC red flags in the Compliance Unit that signifies compromise to Financial Management Standard required by the NMCP and Global Fund and propose mitigation measures;
• Assist the NC in monitoring staff performance evaluation/management  system at NMCP, including evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of existing performance evaluation/management systems;
• Identifying situations/circumstances in GF States/other SRs that may warrant coordination intervention by the NC and convening relevant meetings with the approval of the NC;
• Identifying States/line Ministries/other stakeholders where advocacy by the NC is required and planning such in collaboration with the Programme Management/relevant Branch;
• Participating/Representing the NC in GF budget sessions, program reviews, audits and work plan development;
• Conduct consultations, interviews and collection of relevant data on behalf of the NC during visits to Sub recipients and other field activities at all levels that may facilitate program implementation.
• Ensuring that updates, presentations and minutes for relevant GF internal and external meetings are prepared as may be required by the NC;
• Ensuring that GF activities are integrated into the overall malaria country response and support the coordination of these activities to avoid duplication of efforts and programming gaps;
• Assisting in ensuring effective communication and coordination with partners, including donor agencies, and other stakeholders working on malaria control in Nigeria;
• Assisting the NC to maintain effective communication channel with the CCM;
• Any other duty as may be deemed fit and assigned from time to time by the National Coordinator.

Skills and Expertise Required: Applicants for this position should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Public Health/Health Management;
• At least ten (10) years of professional experience in health program management, in malaria control program in Nigeria or similar country context;
• Good understanding of Global Fund grants and processes;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise functional teams and coordinate staff;
• Demonstrated ability to undertake staff performance / management systems evaluation;
• Demonstrated advisory, analytical and problem solving skills;
• Excellent writing and oral communication and presentation skills;
• Ability and willingness to travel to project-supported states within Nigeria;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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Station: Abuja

Reporting: To the National Coordinator.

Job Description: NMCP depends on its ability to demonstrate outstanding stewardship of financial donations/grants, and to maintain the highest accounting and finance standards for its grants. The Head of Finance would play a pivotal role in overseeing all financial aspects of GF grant implementation, responsible for the financial control environment of the organization, including accurate and timely delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting  and the preparation of budgets, forecasting, and variance reporting analysis for NMCP, its Sub-Recipients and State Malaria Control The successful candidate would work closely with the senior management team of the organization, external and internal auditors, consultants, Local Fund Agent of the Global Fund, and members of staff from the Global Fund Secretariat. S/He will lead, mentor and develop a finance team of 6, direct reportsand report directly to the National Coordinator of the NMCP.The development and delivery of risk management and compliance strategies will be fundamental to the successful execution of the role of the Head of Finance. The successful candidate is expected tobuild strong relationships across the organization, with external stakeholders, and ensure the finance function is deeply embedded in both the day-to-day functions and longer term strategic initiatives of the organization.

Scope Of Work: The scope of work covers all aspects of the financial management of Global Fund Malaria Control Project implemented by NMCP.

Duties And Responsibilities:

a. Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with NMCP and GF policies and procedures, systems and practices;
• Ensure the preparation of quality Progress Update and Disbursement Requests (PUDRs) and other reports to GF and other stakeholders;
• Ensure accuracy of work plan and budget submitted by NMCP and oversees monitoring of all budgets on a continuous basis;
• Ensure the safe custody of NMCP/GF assets, individual staff files, bank account cheque books and other related documents;
• Review SRs financial reports and sampled transactions for compliance with the work plan/budget and GF policies and procedures, assuring expenses are properly approved, adequate substantiation has been provided, and project allocations are correctly recorded;
• Continuously review and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial management policies, procedures and processes and identify issues/ institute improvement where necessary;
• Supervise the NMCP Project Accountant(s) on the following duties:
• i. Preparation of receipts, payment vouchers and cheques and follow up for necessary 
• ii. Posting on  a  daily basis, financial transactions data into SAGE (computerized accounting software);
• iii. Keeping accurate record of all books of accounts and ensuring that all accounting approval/signature records are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Provide quality control checks on the SAGE accounting software entries to ensuring that valid input data are entered into the accounting system, and all financial transactions are appropriately processed, using the correct accounting codes (project, activity and donor).
• Manage relationship with internal auditors, external auditors and other reviewers ensuring they get the necessary support and cooperation to perform their duties.

b. Grants Management

• Keeping tab on all management letters and ensuring that all issues raised are resolved expeditiously in collaboration with the Global Fund Program Manager and Team;
• Ensuring that grant documentation and filing procedures (including effective filing of soft copies and effective back up system) are implemented and an up-to-date file is maintained for each SR with timely inclusion of all relevant documents, including copies of communication/disbursement records;
• Ensuring that PUDRs are discussed collectively with the different functions (program management, PSM, M&E, finance) to ensure quality analysis of the issues and identification of appropriate solutions, ensuring that this is captured in the PUDR, and double checking the PUDRs in collaboration with the PM (GF) to ensure accuracy and quality reporting before forwarding to Global Fund;
• Ensure all fund management and disbursement functions are in line with NMCP and GF financial policies and procedures. 

c. Training and Technical Assistance

• Periodically visit implementing partners (SRs) and provide training and TA in the areas  of Finance and Grant Management;
• Ensure implementing partners (SRs) have a clear work plan and budget;
• Ensure PMU staff is trained on grant compliance issues to ensure compliance with NMCP and GF requirements;
• Guide and support sub recipients’ accountants and other staff to ensure GF financial management standards are upheld. Arrange additional training/capacity building for implementing partners (SRs) as required;
• Support grants team to analyze monthly expenditure, raising alarms when overspends/underspends are recognized.

d. Team Management and Development 

• Manage the finance team, ensure recruitment, training and promotion of staff are appropriate and ensure availability of professional development opportunities;
• Ensure effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.

e. Others

• Oversee occasional related tasks in the Administration, Logistics, Procurement, and HR sphere. 
• Perform other duties assigned by the National Coordinator, NMCP.

Required Skills And Experience

• Advanced Degree in Accounting/Finance;
• ICAN or equivalent degree (CA, CPA, ACCA) strongly recommended;
• A minimum of 10 years non-profit accounting and grants management experience;
• Understanding of GF policies and procedures would be viewed favourably;
• Effectiveness in training and coaching finance and non-finance staff in internal control policies and procedures to ensure highest standards are maintained;
• Excellent experience of budgeting and budget management;
• Excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures;
• Excellent experience of computerized accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word;
• A confident communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines;
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to operate effectively within a constantly changing environment;
• “Can do” attitude, with proven ability to deliver results and manage change effectively;
• Ability to build a proactive team, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary.

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Reporting: To the Head of Finance

Station: Abuja

Job Description: The Project Accountant will play a pivotal role in the establishment and proper maintenance of the finance and accounting system of the project in accordance with the policies and procedures of the NMCP and the Global Fund. The main duties include:

a. Grant management

• Review the retirements of advances of staff for training, M&E etc. to ensure that advances are retired with acceptable documentations and vouchers, and also follow up on staff advances to ensure timely retirement including necessary refund of unused fund;
• Manage  all project assets and stock items, ensuring satisfactory level of accountability and internal control at all times; 
• Maintain asset register, and ensuring that insurance/policies on Assets are paid as and when 
• Ensure that grant documentation and filing procedures (including effective filing of hard copies and effective back up system) are implemented and an up-to-date file is maintained for each SR with timely inclusion of all relevant documents, including copies of communication/disbursement records;
• Provide support for both internal and external audit processes of the project and follow up on audit findings and recommendations;
• Support in designing, installing, implementing and maintaining adequate accounting and internal control systems;
• Maintain working relationship with banks to ensure timely banking transactions;
• Ensure compliance with NMCP and GF policies and procedures, systems and practices;
• Prepare work plan and budget/forecast for the grant and oversee monitoring of all budgets on a continuous basis;
• Ensure that Sub Recipients (SRs) submit their financial reports on a timely basis and review transactions for compliance with the work plan/budget and GF policies and procedures, ensuring that expenses are properly approved and recorded in the correct cost category;
• Continuously review and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial management policies, procedures and processes and identify improvement where necessary;
• Ensure that financial issues raised in all management letters from the Global Fund are resolved expeditiously;
• Ensure that funds are disbursed to the SRs on a timely and efficient manner considering the fulfillment of conditions precedent to disbursement by SRs.

Financial management/Accounting Entries

• Supervise the Account Assistant(s) on the following duties:

i. Preparation of receipts, payment vouchers and cheques and follow up for necessary approval/signature;

ii. Posting on daily basis, financial transactions data into SAGE (computerized accounting software);

iii. Keeping accurate record of all books of accounts and ensuring that all accounting records are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.

• Coding of various payment vouchers to facilitate recording in the SAGE Accounting software;
• Provide quality control checks on the SAGE entries to ensuring that valid input data are entered into the accounting systems, and all financial transactions are appropriately processed, using the correct accounting codes;
• Take a lead in the monthly closure of accounts within required deadlines;
• Prepare necessary audit schedules including Trial balance, details of fixed assets etc for the conduct of the annual audits by the NMCP’s external auditors;
• Maintain accurate cashbooks for all the bank accounts;
• Manage petty cash and ensure that all expenses have supporting documentation attached to ensure accountability of the funds;
• Support management of vendor relationships, pay bills and invoices in a timely manner. 

c. Reporting

• Prepare accurate, regular and timely financial reports of the project to management for planning and decision-making. These include:

i. monthly bank reconciliation statements;

ii. monthly financial transactions/expenditure reports, staff and consultants advance status 

iii. monthly budget tracking analysis, determining the variance analysis and work with 

• Prepare quality Progress Update and Disbursement Requests (PUDRs) and other reports to Global Fund. 

d. Technical Assistance

• Periodically visit  implementing partners (SRs) and provide training and TA in the areas of Finance and Grant Management;
• Ensure implementing partners (SRs) have a clear work plan and budget;
• Guide and support Sub Recipients’ accountants and other staff to ensure GF financial management standards are upheld. 
• Perform any other work that may be assigned by the Head of Finance.

Required Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or finance
• ICAN or equivalent degree (CA, CPA, ACCA) strongly recommended
• A minimum of 7 years non-profit accounting and grants management experience
• Excellent experience of budgeting and budget management
• Excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures
• Enthusiastic and self motivated but works well in teams
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent experience of computerized accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word 
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to operate effectively within a constantly changing environment

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Reporting: To the Head of Internal Audit

Station: Abuja

Job Description: NMCP depends on its ability to demonstrate outstanding stewardship of financial donations/grants, and to maintain the highest accounting and finance standards for its grants. The internal auditor would seek to identify risks to the project. The successful candidate would be expected to plan and conduct risk based internal audit assignments including audits, forensic reviews and special investigations etc.   S/He would be responsible for evaluating internal control systems and recommending improvements to the internal control systems. The development and delivery of risk management and compliance strategies will be fundamental to the successful execution of the role as Internal Auditor.

In addition, the successful candidate would not only strive to provide the highest level of professional service but also maintain the highest ethical standards and due professional care in his or her work and ensure that internal audit activities are carried out in compliance with The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards).

Duties And Responsibilities

The Internal auditor is responsible for the review of Principal Recipient (PR) and Sub Recipients (SRs) books and records with a view to ensure compliance with rules and procedures.  Main duties include:

a. Risk management

• Identify potential risk areas in the course of audits and investigations; make sure controls are properly designed, implemented and operationally effective to mitigate those risks.

b. Compliance

• Examine  financial records, information storage systems and internal controls to ensure there are no indications of mismanagement, unnecessary waste of resources or fraud;
• Ensure controls established are strictly adhered to and in line with the guiding objectives of the grant and the NMCP by pointing out exceptions;
• Ensure the implementation of internal audit approach/plan for the project, monitor objectives and revise as appropriate;
• Ensure that laid down limits of authority are consistently complied with;
• Ensure that the policies and procedures of the NMCP and the Global Fund are complied with.

c. Audit execution

• Prepare annual audit plan and audit calendar;
• Create audit objectives and procedures for scheduled audits and reviews;
• Plan, coordinate and conduct audits, internal control evaluations and reviews as scheduled in the annual Audit Plan and within the deadlines established in the annual Audit Calendar;
• Prepare neat, well-organized and documented work papers and report drafts / memorandums in accordance with Internal Audit Standards;
• Contact and agree with the SRs of the timing of audits;
• Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity;
• Continually review controls put in place for the management of the grant for adequacy;
• Verify and check all supporting documents for purpose, value for money, eligibility and appropriate authorization;
• Check and ensure that relevant processes are followed for procurements;
• Follow through on proper, complete and timely retirements of advances;
• Carry out Spot check on all movable assets including cash, vehicles and health commodities;
• Perform investigations of suspected fraud or misappropriations and complete special projects as assigned;
• Assist in external audit assignments of internal control and substantive testing accurately as requested, completely and in a timely manner.

d. Reporting and follow up

• Prepare reports including Executive summary, details of findings and recommendations on each assignment;
• Discuss findings and come to an agreement on recommendations and timelines for corrective actions with responsible officers of the PR or SRs audited;
• Follow up on findings and recommendations to ensure compliance;
• Give opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the whole system of internal control;
• Summarize in a timely manner selected risk rated audit findings identified in audits and reviews for the semi-annual Internal Audit reports along with additional information that may be requested.
• Required Skills And Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or finance;
• Must be a member of a professional accountancy body preferably ICAN, ACCA or CPA;
• Experience with the big 4 audit firms will be an advantage;
• Must be self-initiating, be able to work independently on routine work assignments and also be able to participate in assignments in a team environment;
• Excellent skills in planning and project management and in maintaining composure under pressure while meeting multiple deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to present complex and sensitive issues to all levels of senior management;
• Excellent skill in negotiating issues and resolving problems;
• Excellent Computer skills;
• Familiarity with the common indicators of fraud;
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and identities;
• Willingness to travel to other States about 30% of the time as a minimum.