Job Description

Background:

The Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU) is an integral structure of the Ministry of Health (MoH) that is designed to Integrate management of all funded projects. With supervision from the office of the Chief Medical Officer, IHPAU performs fiduciary role for health programs/projects supported by the partners: Bank, Global Fund, GAVI Alliance, CDC-United States, Islamic

Development Bank (10B), and Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right, Project. The core fiduciary support provided by IHPAV includes funds management; procurement of goods and services, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning: and internal audit and compliance.

The World Bank is currently investing about US$60 million (IDA- S40 million, GFF-20 million) in the health sector in Sierra Leone to implement the Sierra Leone

Essential Health Services and System Support Project (QEHSSSP). The Project Development Objectives (PDO) is to increase utilization and improve quality of maternal and child health services in the selected areas.

To effectively manage the finances and ensure the project achieve the desired objectiv^es it is imperative to have a Financial Management Specialist who will provide overall financial management leadership and support-during implementation of this Project.

Position: Financial Management Specialist (1)

Location: Freetown with frequent visit to the provinces

Reports to: IHPAU Team Lead.

Issued date: 14th March 2024

Closing date:       11th April 2024

Job Purpose:

The objective of this assignment is to implement and operate sound financial management practices for the effective management of financial matters of projects, and to deploy project resources for the intended purposes in accordance with the relevant Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) financial management requirement and Financing Agreements signed between the GoSL and the World. The Financial Management Specialist (FMS) shall work in close consultation with IHPAU Team Lead.

Tasks and Responsibilities :

The Financial Management Specialist shall undertake the following:

Support the Team Lead on all aspect of financial management and organizational strategy, including identifying and managing any fiduciary risks;

Lead, manage, supervise, mentor and coach finance staff working in the project’s Account office;

Manage staff working in the finance departments for World Bank funded projects; In collaboration with the MoH’s Directorate of Financial Resources, develop new and/or revise existing financial planning and reporting tools to be used in the implementation of World Bank funded programmes;

Ensure proper functioning of the overall project accounting infrastructure, including coaching and mentoring finance staff of programs/Directorates, including DHMTs to prepare and submit quality financial expenditure returns, Cash and procurement requisitions.

Ensure adherence to financing agreements including project cost categories;

Ensure payments & commitments. are aligned with approved annual work plans and budget, and procurement terms to mitigate all ineligible expenditures;

Design and roll out financial management guidelines for non-financial managers and implementers;

Serves as the project liaison on all financial management issues that relate to Internal Audit, External Audit, Audit Service Sierra Leone, and the World Bank FM Team etc.; Prepare and submit financial and other reports such as interim financial reports

(IFRs), quarterly and annual financial and reports, accounting records and ledgers necessary to promote accountability and efficient use of financial resources, and timely annual accounts for external audit as provided for in the project’s financing agreement; Ensure the Unified Financial Management Reporting Portal (UFMRP) is capable to provide all financial reports required by the Government and Bank FM Team Jointly responsible for the overall management of the Fixed Assets of the project; Undertake other assignments as delegated by the Team Lead/Fund Management Specialist

Performance Criteria:

The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Financial Management Specialist at regular intervals and based upon which the contract may be continued or terminated:

Timeliness of disbursement after receipt of approval of requests Timeliness and quality of submissions of mandatory repots.

Number and content of issues arising in audits relating to internal control weaknesses.

General Deliverables

Accurate and timely FM reporting, Quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) and Internal Controls Reports submitted

Ensure Bank Reconciliations are prepared in a timely manner

Improve capacity of the finance teams of IHPAU and DHMTs to adhere to stipulated FM procedures

Efficient, effective, and timely funds flow arrangements.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualification

Must be a member of a professional accountancy body- the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), etc.;

Must have a master’s degree in finance and accounting; and Must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Experience:

Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in financial management, and five (5) years of which must have hands-on knowledge in managing the finances of World Bank funded projects;

Understand, utilize and assess Chart of Accounts for proper repotting of fund tracking to various funding sources, allowable and non-allowable expenses, projects, activities, departments and functions;

Practical knowledge of operating financial management accounting software. Knowledge of the Unified Financial Management Reporting Portal (UFMRP) is an added advantage;

Knowledge in budget preparation, financial statement preparation and budget tracking and reporting;

Building and managing partnerships with critical stakeholders- donors, UN agencies, civil society, and other development partners;

Knowledge of Procurement Procedures will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Expertise

Demonstrated management skills and integrity.

Risk management,

Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manages contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery; Ability to implement new systems and effect staff behaviour/ attitudinal change; Capacity building skills with a passion for knowledge transfer;

Excellent supervisory skills (coaching, mentoring and motivating staff); Ability to write high quality donor reports;

Fluency in English with good verbal and mitten skills;

Good communication, negotiation, problem solving and decision-making skills; and

Good Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel; and power point;

Attributes:

High integrity, strong result orientation, drive for excellence and takes initiative.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to quickly shifting priorities; and Be a team player and client focus.

DURATION:

The role would commence as soon as possible for an initial period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding, performance and the need for the position.

To apply, please send your application (a mandatory cover letter and an updated CV with at least 3 references) to the following email address:

recruitment@mohsihpau.gov.sl by: 4:00 pm Local Time, Thursday, 11th April 2024.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only email applications sent to the above email address will be included in the pool of applicants to be assessed by MoH. go hand deliveries will be accepted. Please also note that your CV should contain your full contact details such as residence address, working mobile telephone number, working email address, as well as those of your three referees.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and selected candidates will’ be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.

This Publication can also be accessed on UN Development Business

WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY