Finance Consultant at Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi)

Background

• In the Finance department there is typically a high volume of financial documents that need to be reviewed and processed on time.
• These documents can include sub-awardee financial reports & supporting documents, travel documents and procurement documents.
• Ensuring that all these documents are accurate, complete, and promptly processed is crucial for maintaining the organization’s financial processes and in ensuring financial accountability and compliance.
• A Finance Consultant is therefore needed to play this crucial role.

Description / Purpose of the Consultancy

• The selected candidate will work closely with the Finance unit and will be responsible for review of sub-awardee reports & financial documents, follow up on all sub-award compliance issues, audits and document resolutions, and providing guidance and support to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to ensure they meet financial reporting requirements and comply with donor regulations, and ensuring they are promptly reimbursed.
• By doing so, the Finance Consultant helps the finance department minimize risks and ensure financial accountability and compliance, which is essential for effective financial management.

Objectives of the Consultancy

• This consultancy is required to assist to provide financial oversight, guidance, and support to sub-awardees, community-based organizations and state offices, provide assurance and minimize the turnaround time between reports and subsequent reimbursement of beneficiaries.
• Overall, the Finance Consultant will ensure effective and efficient management of funds in compliance with donor regulations, and that the AHNi is able to effectively monitor and report on the use of sub-award funds to the Global Fund.

Consultancy Overview and Role

The services of the Finance Consultant will include the following:

• Assist in providing support to HQ and State offices to ensure they meet financial reporting requirements and comply with donor regulations.
• Assist in providing assurance, conducting pre-award financial reviews and other due diligence, and reviewing sub-awardee budgets, work plans, and fund requests to ensure financial compliance and accountability.
• Support in developing sub-recipient monitoring plans, conducting financial and programmatic monitoring of sub-recipients, processing sub-recipient payments, and reconciling the sub-award financial tracker to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial records.
• Assisting with sub-award financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the sub-award agreement have been met, sub-award funds have been properly settled, and financial reports have been submitted.
• Effective communication and collaboration with other members of the finance department is critical for success in this role.

Specific Deliverables

Based on the activities listed above, the Consultant is expected to produce or accomplish the following:

• Prompt document collection, review and processing. This includes payment documents, sub-awardee financial reports, fund requests, and other requests.
• Conduct regular financial monitoring of sub-recipients to ensure compliance with donor regulations, identify any areas of concern, and provide guidance and support as needed.
• Prompt communication of feedback to necessary stakeholders.
• Assist to bride gap between finance, programs, and grants within AHNi.
• In addition to processing financial documents, the Finance consultant may also assist with record keeping, and other finance/operations tasks as needed.
• Submit a monthly report of the consultancy assignment to AHNI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• Knowledge of financial management and reporting systems, accounting principles, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications such as Microsoft Office, database management, and ERP may be required.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in financial management and reporting, including experience managing sub-awards and working with community-based organizations.
• Experience with donor regulations, policies, and procedures related to sub-awards and grants management.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to analyze financial data and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with other members of the finance department are necessary.
• Experience in capacity building and training is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Overall, the key to success in this role is a combination of deep understanding of financial management & reporting, relevant qualifications, experience, and strong organizational and communication skills.