Ministry of Health Malawi - Head of Finance

Government of Malawi, Ministry of Health Global Fund/GAVI Programme Implementation Unit, Head of Finance August 2020

Background The Government of Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI).

Currently, MOH serves as a Principal Recipient of the GFATM and coordinates the GAVI grant through its Program Implementation Unit (PIU). The PIU ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies and service delivery as well as efficient monitoring and evaluation of grant implementation and performance. The Unit also provides quality assurance and oversight, and guidance to routine management of projects funded by the Global Fund and GAVI under the partnership with MOH. Current active GFATM grants to the Government of Malawi amount to $464 million.

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The Role The Government of Malawi Ministry of Health PIU is seeking an energetic, creative and highly seasoned professional, with proven skills in financial management and accounting.

Reporting to the Director of Finance MOH and PIU Manager, the Head of Finance is responsible for the overall financial management and oversight of all health sector GFATM and GAVI development grants managed by PIU. He/she will ensure the highest efficiency in financial resources management, play a key role in the strategic financial decision-making of the Unit, and provide fiduciary assurance oversight. He/she will ensure the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial

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information, effective delivery of financial services, and transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the finances for the GFATM and GAVI Grants.

He/she analyses and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues.

The Head of Finance supervises and leads PIU finance support staff and works in close collaboration with Implementing Entities, the Local Fund Agent, the Fiscal Agent contractors and other implementing partners of the GFATM/GAVI programme, and the Ministry of Health in ensuring successful financial management of the Programme.

The Role Start date:

As soon as possible

Duration: Two-year contract, with

potential to extend subject

to performance and funding availability.

Salary: International competitive

package based on prior experience.

Location:

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Lilongwe, Malawi

Key Functions and Results Expected Strategic functions • Responsible for the overall financial management oversight of all health sector development grants managed by PIU. • Ensure that the programme financial resources are well managed and accounted for in line with set procedures and guidelines of the funding institutions and sector development cooperation partners.

• Participate in all strategic and CCM meetings and provide appropriate financial performance and audited financial reports.

• Ensure the grant recipients follow established accounting procedures, and institute proper safeguards and risk mitigation measures to protect the use of grant funds and attain maximum development outomes.

• Responsible for strategic policy direction, management and accounting of donor supported grant funds by coordinating donor policies with other Principal Recipients.

Operational Responsibilities • Ensure application of best practice in grant financial management and generally accepted accounting principles.

• Ensure full compliance with Government of Malawi and donor policies and reporting requirements in all material respects (both in terms of substance and format).

• Work effectively with all assurance providers of Donors, external auditors, internal auditors as well as the supreme audit to enhance the overall financial management and reporting of the MOH. • Responsible for follow up and implementation of key funding partners recommendations through management letters, external audit reports, MOH risk matrix, Co-Link assessment, etc., and provide regular updates to the Ministry of Health senior management and partners.

• Design and deploy systems and controls for effective safeguards over grant resources and ensure increased financial absorption.

• Oversee that the Donor directions, conditions, and guidelines with respect to financial management, budgeting and reporting are adhered to, including those in

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• • • • • •

• •

the grant agreements and that program funds are released in a timely manner to facilitate grant implementation.

Enhance controls within the accounting system and champion the migration to the upgraded SUN accounting package (6 ERP, or the most up to date version).

Ensure that all requests for committing grant funds and/or making payments are complete and accurate in terms of supporting documentation.

Ensure value for money in all financial and procurement transactions sourced through grant funds.

Support the LFA and the Fiscal Agent in carrying out the necessary due diligence checks on all program financial transactions.

Create conditions for an open and effective collaboration with the Fiscal Agent, for the purpose of introducing needed operation improvement changes.

Liaise with the MOH – Procurement Unit and the national programmes to ensure execution of procurement activities and ensure that the Ministry and the PIU has accurate information of delivery and stock status so that efficient supply management for commodities procured using Global Fund and GAVI grants is ensured.

Build capacity of National Programmatic staff on the financial planning and budgeting processes.

Ensure that the PIU Managers and all stakeholders are kept abreast of the state of affairs of the finance function.

Managerial Responsibilities • Ensure proper segregation of duties of finance staff within the PIU. • Build a strong team that can respond promptly and effectively to the demands of the various implementing units (sub recipients), assurance providers and donors.

• Performs periodic staff evaluation and contributes to staff development through adequate supervision and coaching.

• Ensure an effective workload distribution and effective coordination within the Finance Team, through enabling leadership drive and technical support.

Person Specification Education • Master’s Degree in Finance and Accounting, from a reputable university and full CPA/ACCA Qualification.

Knowledge and Experience • Ten (10) years’ working as a Finance Director, Controller or Manager in a similar position responsible for accounting, budgeting, financial management and reporting.

• Significant experience in setting up a financial management operation.

• Working experience with international donors or development cooperation agencies and government. Experience of managing donor funded project of above $100 million will be an advantage.

• Experience in grants management, contract management and procurement oversight.

• Extensive experience and proficiency in the use of automated accounting systems.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, word Project and Power Point.

• Knowledge of the financial management requirements and policies of the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria and GAVI will be an added advantage.

• Ability to work independently within deadlines, self-motivated and creative to achieve results.

• Proven ability to work under extreme pressure and deliver within tight deadlines.

Language Requirements • Fluency in written and spoken English

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Competency Profile • Leading with Purpose - Has personal direction and is not easily side-tracked by details or workload • Strategic Perspective - Understands the viewpoint of higher management and effectively analyses complex problems • Building Partnerships - Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients, and potential partners • Building Collaborative Relationships - Builds productive working relationships with co-workers and external parties, whilst valuing people of different backgrounds, cultures, and demographics • Change Management - Uses effective strategies to facilitate organisation change initiatives and overcome resistance to change by involving others, listening, and building commitment • Decisiveness - Prefers quick and appropriate actions in many management situations • Leading Employees - Attracts, motivates, and develops employees • Communication - Expresses ideas clearly and concisely; disseminates information about decisions and plans • Credibility - Acts in accordance with stated values; follows through on promises; uses ethical considerations to guide decisions and actions • Taking Initiative - Takes charge and capitalizes on opportunities.

How to Apply All correspondence should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply� button in the job advert page and complete our online application form. Please provide a CV and cover letter in ONE single document, which should be prepared before applying as they will be requested in the application process.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (yymm) e.g.: Janet-MbuguaCVandStatement-2008.

Timeline Closing date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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August 28,2020

Selection process All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview.

Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email moh-piu@ oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors.

We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients.

Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

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