Job Openings at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Req Number: I4994
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job Type: Regular, Full time
Reports to: CRS Emergency Coordinator
Department: Maiduguri, Nigeria, CARO
Salary Grade: 9

Background
Cash And Voucher Assistance (CVA) has been used in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria since 2013. A range of humanitarian actors, as well as national authorities and development partners, are currently either considering or planning to significantly scale up such programs to ensure households have access to basic needs, while also reinforcing choice, dignity and accountability for those affected. Cash transfers are also increasingly being used to leverage the potential for addressing recovery needs and for bridging the divide between humanitarian and development programming.

Following a CaLP-organized workshop in November 2016, the Cash Working Group (CWG) in Abuja reviewed the Terms of Reference of the Borno CWG. It was decided that the Borno CWG would focus on operational and technical issues, while the Abuja CWG would focus on strategic and advocacy issues at the national level. Considering the significant amount of technical priorities to be addressed by the group, it was also agreed that dedicated technical capacity would be established to support the strategic level coordination responsibilities of the chair of the CWG in Northeast Nigeria, covering the three states most affected by the humanitarian crisis, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. In coordination with OCHA, CRS co-chairs the CWG since 2018.

Job Summary

• As CWG Technical Co-Chair will work with humanitarian actors in NE Nigeria for the development of a community of practice around cash transfer programming and building capacity of interested parties
• The co-chair will harmonize approaches, build evidence and best practice in country through sharing of experience and contribute to national and global learning.
• The co-chair drives collective progress and provides technical expertise for jointly agreed priorities established by the cash working group, considering their collective views and seeking to achieve consensus and collaboration by the group. In line with member expertise and interest, other agencies may be designated to lead on activities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and contribute to the implementation of CWG strategy, sector standards, tools and best practices in cash transfer programming that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions to members, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools and M&E, helping to ensure high-quality implementation.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in cash transfer programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching.
• Collect and analyze program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the cash transfer learning agenda.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of cash transfer programming to collect and share best practices and promote CRS' work.
• Establish regular technical exchange with CWG members with a view to promoting an inclusive and transparent decision-making process.
• Develop and support, whenever possible, harmonized tools, approaches and procedures in CTP, including the harmonization of vulnerability criteria, transfer values, modalities of payment, assessment and monitoring activities.
• Collaborate on joint assessments, planning, targeting and monitoring, when necessary.
• Ensure beneficiary involvement, accountability and transparency in CTP.
• Highlight cash and voucher transfer interventions that are most likely to be effective in each situation, drawing upon lessons learned and examples of good practice for rapid and appropriate response.
• Build CWG capacity[1] through formal trainings, learning events and continued sharing/exchange of practical learning.
• Encourage collective negotiations with service providers for effective cash and voucher programme delivery.
• Identify and advocate for opportunities to link emergency cash transfer projects with longer-term support to social transfers as part of social protection strategies, potentially significantly strengthening CTP preparedness at the State level.
• Document cash-based experiences and maintain a repository of information, learning and reference resources.
• In coordination with OCH support the development of the Cash Based Grant section of the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP)

Specific focus for FY20:

• Capacity Building & Learning: Identify capacity building needs through ongoing engagement with CWG member organizations and build capacity in cash transfer programming through conducting at least 2 basic trainings for CTP practitioners and national NGOs.
• Research & Advocacy: Keep an overview on market functionality and elasticity in NE Nigeria. Gather information on the impact of in-kind programming versus voucher programming versus cash-based programming. Advocate for market based programming where this is considered most appropriate based on evidence.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal - Program teams, Emergency Coordinator, Market TAs.
• External - Sector leads, CWG members, national and international NGOS, UN agencies, government representative.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a field related to Humanitarian Assistance, Food Security And Livelihoods or other applicable area required.
• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in cash transfer programming.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in cash transfer programming. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
• Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

Required Languages:

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English.

Travel:

• Travel to Abuja for CWG meetings and coordination meetings as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience in research; collecting and analyzing information and presenting well-written reports.
• Strong public speaking skills. Able to present information to an external audience and conduct trainings.
• Excellent coordination skills such as ability to liaise with various agencies/individuals, organize events, priorities work and ensure a smooth flow of information and an environment of cooperation and information sharing.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to influence decision makers.
• Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, together with the capacity to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• Ability to work independently and to work with people located in different geographic locations and in other organizations.
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender in humanitarian work.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Committed to Equal Opportunities (e.g. gender, race, disability).
• Innovative and creative to find lasting solutions to rapid, timely and appropriate humanitarian response.
• Experience and training in the EMMA tool kit is an advantage.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

go to method of application »

Req Number: I4985
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Regular, Full time
Reports To: Chief of Party (& Head of Operations- Finance)

Context

• CRS has a long and rich history of collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Since 2003, CRS has been awarded nearly $700 million in Global Fund resources to implement programs in 27 countries
• In Nigeria, CRS is a sub-recipient (SR) on the Global Fund HIV and the principal recipient (PR) for the Global Fund Malaria grant since January 2017
• As PR, CRS will partner with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), 3 SRs -- Management Sciences for Health, Malaria Consortium, Society for Family Health and Malaria Consortium; various state governments, malaria partners and stakeholders to coordinate the 2018 - 2020 long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN) mass campaigns in 7 states. CRS will also oversee the 3 SRs and support a range of malaria treatment and prevention services at the state level.

Job Summary

• The Director of Finance and Grants Management is responsible for overall budget monitoring and compliance oversight of the Global Fund malaria grant and all related sub-grants/sub-contracts
• S/he oversees the design and implementation of strong internal controls and appropriate financial reporting procedures/policies to minimize/manage risks associated with grant implementation, safeguard Global Fund's resources, achieve consistent compliance with Global Fund grant agreement, approved workplan/budget, Global Fund policies and guidelines, as well as CRS' policies and procedures
• S/he coordinates assessments and the identification of needs for support in compliance, budgeting and financial management and their implementation as well as actively works with the sub-recipient (SR) on their grant management capacity
• In coordination with the program team and CRS Nigeria and HQ finance and compliance teams, s/he develops and implements the strategy to prevent or reduce compliance-related liabilities and risks. The scope of work covers all aspects of financial and grant management of the Global Fund Malaria grant implemented by CRS in Nigeria.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Grants Management and Budgeting:

• In coordination with the Chief of Party, ensure that all SR, partner and service provider agreements and amendments are well prepared, grant files are updated/maintained on Gateway, key grant documents are shared with the Nigeria and HQ finance teams, and that the GFSU reviews all relevant agreements and amendments
• Ensure that donor required reports are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates; coordinate financial reporting with the CRS/Nigeria and HQ finance teams. This includes ensuring that reports (e.g. PU/DRs, AFRs, etc.) 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 report and carrying out accuracy and quality checks before submission to the Global Fund.
• Review all management letters and ensure that all issues raised are resolved expeditiously in collaboration with the Global Fund Program Manager and Team (Global Fund).
• Lead the identification of budget and compliance needs and oversee the implementation of trainings on budgeting and compliance with all relevant Global Fund malaria program staff and the SR(s) under the grant.
• Proactively track budget spending against the budget and provide recommendations to the Chief of Party on needed actions
• Develop effective budget monitoring tools and implement them for all Global Fund malaria program activities; review SR budgets against spending and provide comments / recommend approval by the Chief of Party
• Actively engage in budget discussions and generate feedback for Global Fund malaria program PMU on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings and results from SR monitoring
• Take the lead on liaising with CRS Nigeria and HQ finance teams, prepare cash projections, ensure that proper accounts are used, review cash disbursement advance journals, review and approve liquidation journals, and review posted journals for errors, recommending correction when necessary
• Actively attend Global Fund malaria program PMU Meetings and contribute to the overall team work spirit of Global Fund malaria program
• Coordinate grant closure activities with the Chief of Party and respective CRS Nigeria staff and ensure that expired sub-grants are fully closed out within 90 days' limit

Compliance:

• Ensure that all program activities are compliant with both CRS and Global Fund policies, procedures and regulations
• Serve as the principal point of contact on grant management and compliance issues with CRS Nigeria and HQ Finance and Compliance staff, the LFA and Global Fund program staff
• Ensure project documents and financial records are maintained and readily available for internal/external audits and reviews
• Coordinate the development and implementation of grant management trainings and capacity building activities in close collaboration with CRS Nigeria finance and compliance staff
• Build the capacity of Global Fund malaria program staff in relevant and appropriate donor financial management policies, procedures, and standards
• Ensure integrity and the effective control of financial, material and human resources and assets

SR Financial Assessments, Monitoring and Support:

• Lead implementation of CRS' sub-recipient financial management policy for the Global Fund malaria program; ensure that staff understand and are correctly implementing the policy
• Ensure that the Global Fund malaria program has in place and adheres to a schedule of planned SR monitoring visits; the basis for the selection, timing and frequency of its monitoring visits should be properly documented
• Ensure that assessments and monitoring visits are being carried out in accordance with CRS policies about timeliness, comprehensiveness, professionalism and documentation
• If needed, ensure that corrective action plans are prepared within sixty calendar days of the assessment or monitoring visit, and that program staff are supporting the SR to address the identified issues within agreed timelines.
• Ensure financial and programming staff participate in the financial monitoring of the SR (including site visits); trip reports must indicate the monitoring steps performed, the processes reviewed, and the result of the testing and reviews
• Review and analyse assessment, monitoring, trip reports and monthly updates on a timely manner and to inform follow-up actions
• Ensure that the SR receives support from CRS to correct weaknesses detected by internal and external auditors, Global Fund malaria program staff, LFAs, and others; directly address issues that are escalated
• Ensure SR internal control systems are reviewed and monitored to verify that financial duties are adequately segregated; Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance staff should regularly monitor and assess SR ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions and provide feedback to the Program Director.
• Ensure that the project SR evaluates and effectively monitors any SSRs and/or partners to achieve efficient use of Global Fund resources.
• Ensure that the Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance staff provide direct technical support in all aspects of finance, compliance and internal controls for SRs
• Advise and ensure on GAAP and basic accounting records to be maintained at the SR level

Contractual Oversight of ACOMIN:

• Ensure that the Finance and compliance officer provides direct support in building the capacity of ACOMIN Finance and Program team on Global Fund policies and procedures required for the CSO intervention activities on the grant
• Ensure that there is real time on-site monitoring of ACOMIN during implementation of key activities.
• Ensure that there is periodic assessment of ACOMIN financial system and processes to identify gaps/weaknesses and recommend steps to mitigate risk
• Proactively track spending against the budget for the ACOMIN budget line.
• Approve all liquidations and ensure there is adequate support documentation for the implemented milestones.

Human Resources:

• Lead, direct, mentor and coach a team of finance and grants compliance staff to meet GF program objectives
• Take the lead in setting annual Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance targets and ensure that specific tasks are built in staff performance plans
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS' performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork
• Lead the identification of performance gaps and needs of program, SR and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality support and technical assistance to program staff, SRs and states

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global Fund Malaria Program Team, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Director for Management Quality and HQ Compliance team, GFSU.
• External: Global Fund Nigeria Country Team, SR, LFA,SMoH and partner health facility staff, external auditors and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).

Agency Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Integrity:
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

Qualifications and Skills

• ICAN or equivalent professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA) strongly recommended
• Master's Degree in Administration, Accounting or Finance, Organizational Development, Management or another relevant field
• Minimum of five years' experience in a similar position, preferably with an International NGO. Preferably, at least ten (10) years' experience in non-profit Accounting and grant management, preferably with an International Organization, with at least 6 years' experience at the management level.
• Must be a, self-motivated, problem solving individual with high levels of initiative
• Good understanding of Global Fund policies and guidelines is required
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in capacity strengthening with prior experience of integrating this with programming; experience in curriculum design and development.
• Excellent experience in budgeting and budget management
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through participatory adult learning, mentoring, distance education, and other formal and non-formal methods; experience in the design of and delivery of training workshops
• Must demonstrate a good understanding of contemporary management best practices
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and tact
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent knowledge of computer software -- MS Office (PowerPoint and Excel especially), experience with SunSystems, Adaptive Planning, Salesforce and JD Edwards software a plus
• Must be flexible and can work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness and ability to travel in-country (sometimes on short notice) up to 50%

What We Offer

• CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.