Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: MBA/MSc/MA
- Experience: 10 years
- Location: Abuja
- Job Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit , NGO/Non-Profit
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.
Roles and Key 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 analyze 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.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Deputy Director of Finance and Grant, Grant Accountants and Risk and Compliance Officer.
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).
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Administration, Accounting or Finance, Organizational Development, Management or other relevant field
- ICAN or equivalent professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA) strongly recommended.
- Minimum of 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations (Global Fund) highly preferred.
- Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
- Knowledge of local law in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
- Staff management experience.
- Strong experience in presenting and facilitating on financial management topics.
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software highly preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
- Very good planning, monitoring and organizational skills
- Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
- Ability to work collaboratively
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