Senior Director of Finance and Operations (SDFO) at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

The Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Director of Finance and Operations (SDFO)

Job Requisition ID: R4789
Location: Abuja
Job type: Full-time

Job Description

• The Sr. Director of Finance and Operations (SDFO) will report to the MSH Nigeria Country Representative/Managing Director. As a member of the MSH Nigeria Executive Leadership Team, the SDFO will play a broad and strategic leadership role in MSH Nigeria’s overall strategy for growth, development and ongoing success.
• The SDFO will also serve as the lead for financial and administrative management for a potential large scale health systems strengthening project, which is subject to the availability of funding.

Specific Responsibilities
MSH Nigeria Financial and Administrative Leadership and Oversight

• The SDFO will serve as financial advisor/partner to the Country Representative/Managing Director, the MSH Nigeria Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on matters relating to financial status, risk management, and long-term planning. This includes timely and accurate management and financial information presented on an ongoing basis.
• The SDFO will also oversee the annual Audit plan and results in partnership with MSH, Inc.’s Audit Committee. The SDFO will work to ensure that our systems and processes are consistent and aligned with MSH’s overarching Strategic Roadmap and meet the compliance and reporting needs of our diverse donor base.
• Working as a member of the MSH Nigeria Leadership Team on matters relating to strategy, policies, operations, risk management, annual work planning, systems strengthening, and performance management, the SDFO will participate in the development of MSH Nigeria’s strategic, operational, and financial plans and programs. The SDFO will evaluate and advise on the impact of long- range planning and the introduction of new programs/strategies as well as regulatory actions and novel business models.
• The SDFO will provide the leadership and financial stewardship for MSH Nigeria, including safeguarding MSH’s strong reputation for financial integrity and accountability and being accountable for the leadership and results of the traditional oversight areas of a SDFO, such as expense control, investments, financial policies, information technologies, and risk management, forecasting and modeling, investments, financial planning and management.
• Importantly, the SDFO will oversee and manage shared Business Operations departments which will service all MSH projects finance and operational needs including information systems; accounting and financial management; contracts, grants and procurement management, and administration and facilities management. Leadership of these shared business operations departments will include a focus on continuous improvement and increased efficiency and effectiveness across the organization, inclusive of mechanisms for collaboration with MSH, Inc.
• The SDFO will also work closely with the Country Representative/Managing Director to establish structures and practices to support new business opportunities and diversification.
• The SDFO will provide management oversight and ensure quality and continual improvement of day-to-day financial operations and systems, including budgeting, accounting, cash management, auditing, donor reporting, and contracts and grants management. This will require close collaboration with financial officers across projects and in subnational offices and with MSH, Inc. finance, accounting, and operations staff. 
• The SDFO will be responsible for managing and reporting on financial and operations components of intercompany agreements and related accounting processes with MSH, Inc.
• The SDFO will develop the financial and operations infrastructure of the organization, inclusive of long-term capacity strengthening and organizational development plans. This will include a focus on risk management strategies, financial management systems and reporting, and partnership with MSH, Inc. as the parent organization. This will involve the adaptation and roll out of policies and standard operating procedures, and effective strategies for compliance monitoring and the management of financial risks.
• The SDFO will ensure that Country Office accounting and financial systems for planning, managing, and reporting are efficient, consistent, user-friendly, aligned with MSH policies and local laws and regulations while responsive to donor requirements.
• At the same time, the SDFO must be a leader in MSH Nigeria’s effort to improve its expense ratios and provide value for money through programmatic and operations efficiencies as well as budgetary discipline.
• The SDFO will be responsible for overseeing risk management for MSH Nigeria, inclusive of developing and overseeing the implementation a risk register and plan that cuts across all projects.
• The SDFO will oversee and manage MSH Nigeria compliance with Nigeria corporate registration requirements in partnership with the Company Secretary, tax and labor certification requirements, and any other legal or reporting requirements for the Government of Nigeria.
• The SDFO will foster a collegial and partnership culture with regard to accounting and finance activities across MSH Nigeria. This will include a high level of responsiveness by and communication across MSH’s finance and program departments in addition to all operations levels.

Health System Strengthening Project Financial and Administrative Management: 

• Support the Project Director in the management of the project, aligning staff, systems, and other resources with the annual work plan and budget to provide timely, cost effective, responsive, and high-quality operations and administrative support within local laws and available resources, and in an environment with adequate internal controls, adhering to contracts regulations, MSH Policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Supervise project specific financial, subcontracts, project operations, and other administrative functions. 
• Develop and oversee implementation of a program financial and operations management framework to guide roles and responsibilities and quality standards for all related functions for the project.   
• Ensure timely submission of administrative and financial reports to the Project Director and Donor Finance Lead as required. 
• Lead program annual budget development process that includes managing the annual work plan, life-of-project and activity budgets and ensuring compliance of program expenditures with approved budgets; ensure the consistency, inclusion and accuracy of costs and that they comply with agreed policy and practices, and work with staff in developing budgets for technical activities as necessary. Revise overall and sub-budgets as needed throughout the work plan year. 
• Maintain systems for program budget development/revision, monitoring, and tracking that include financial and contractual data. Provide routine pipeline analyses and ad hoc reports to Project Director and the donor. Perform routine financial analysis on program expenditures, documenting and monitoring overall performance, analyzing trends, identifying gaps to ensure efficient and sound project management. Develop budget amendments for the donor, in partnership with Project Leadership, as needed.
• Responsible for coordination and oversight of contract management activities. Work with program staff, MSH Inc. and partners to draft, manage and monitor implementation of contracts.
• Supervise grant and subcontract administration functions.  Supervise the subcontracts and grants management team for the project. Oversee compliance with the terms and conditions of subcontracts and grants and related capacity strengthening efforts.
• Oversee monthly requests of funds, based on budget and cash flow projections, to ensure the program has all the necessary funds for the operations. 
• Review purchase orders and confer with the Project Director for approval, prior to issuance of the purchase orders for program procurement of commercial goods and services within agreed upon thresholds. 
• Ensure all program staff are trained on donor Rules and Regulations and compliance with the agreement. 
• Provide administrative supervision to the project specific support staff and is accountable for their performance management (including regular results, check-ins, formal appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching and carrier development support). 
• In liaison with the project leadership team, coordinate, execute internal/external financial, operations, and program reviews or audits, and ensure timely follow up to review or audit conclusions and recommendations. 

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related subject with at least 15 years of relevant work experience, 20 years of progressive experience in increasing roles of responsibility, finance, procurement, contracts management, logistics and/or human resource-related matters for international health and development activities in Nigeria. 
• An internationally recognized professional qualification, e.g., Chartered Accountant (CA, ACA, ACCA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Analyst (CFA). With strong GAAP and reporting skills coupled with strong analytical and budgetary experience. Deep experience in the review and communication of financial results, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and have the ability to build financial models.
• Confident communicator of high-level strategic vision as well as the details associated with variances against budgets/forecasts to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Demonstrated understanding of advanced business system applications and methods used to improve effectiveness.
• Thorough knowledge of donor financial reporting, contracts administration, grants under contract and compliance requirements. Experience with government donors such as US Government, EU, UNICEF, FCDO, the Global Fund, Gates Foundation, and other major partners is preferred.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail. 
• Relentlessly strategic with the ability to translate these skills into operational plans. Well-honed critical thinking skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable, and revise and adapt as necessary.
• Accustomed to the ongoing analysis of the complex financial operations in the international public health management and development assistance sector to identify efficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Demonstrates a track record of process improvement, in addition to setting long-term financial goals.
• High levels of diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.
• Unquestioned level of integrity, sensitivity and respect for diversity, equity and inclusive work cultures.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, and demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate and document, including the writing of quality reports and detailed analysis of strategic information.

Application Closing Date
1st July, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Qualified local female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.