Finance Officer

Reports to: Zanzibar NTD Program Manager/Head of Unit (Administratively) and to ASCEND Regional finance Manager (Technically)

Salary: TBD

1. Introduction

Accelerating the Su­stainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (ASCEND) is a £200 million invest­ment from the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID), to advance the impact and su­stainability of national programs tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). To be implemented between September 2019 to March 2022, ASCEND comprises of two lots - one focusing on South Asia, East­ and Southern Africa (lot 1) and the other on West­ and Central Africa (lot 2). ASCEND lot 1 is implemented by a consortium of technical partners led by Crown Agents, including Abt Associates, Oriole Global Health and the Royal Tropical Inst­itute. Central to ASCEND 1’s approach is a close collaboration with National Governments and other implementing partners, to enhance national approaches to NTD control and elimination. ASCEND’s goal is to contribute to the global goal of reducing the burden of targeted NTDs so that they are no longer a public health problem.

In Tanzania, ASCEND will focus on three NTDS; Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, and Trachoma anchored on the following broad areas of intervention:

(i) *Treatment and prevention of disability, including mass drug administration (MDA), diagnosis and treatment, surgeries, morbidity management.*

(ii) Increasing the integration of aspects of NTD programmes within the health systems.

(iii) *Strengthening national health systems, integrating efforts to strengthen the relevant building blocks of the health system.*

(iv) *Data for targeting and monitoring, including impact assessment and alignment of NTDs with national and international MEL systems and processes.*

(v) *Cross-sectoral collaboration, in particular within the health and WASH/BCC sectors.*

DFID has contracted Crown Agents together with its consortium partners to act as Fund Manager for ASCEND in Uganda. Therefore, Crown Agents will work with the Health community development gender elderly and children to support the immediate procurement of services from Implementing Partners (IPs) that will further the above-stated objectives of ASCEND in the country.

2. Scope of work

The Finance Officer will be seconded to the NTD Control Program –Ministry of Health Zanzibar (MoH) and will be responsible for the overall accounting and financial management of the ASCEND project. The Finance Officer will work closely with ASCEND regional finance office, Country Lead, Program Manager ZNTD and other NTD partners to ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure that the project operates efficiently, uses resources effectively and within the budget.

The Finance Officer will report to the ZNTD program manager (Administratively) and to ASCEND regional finance manager (Technically)

The Finance Officer will be responsible for the following;

1. Maintain primary relationship with donors and act as the principal financial Management liaison.

2. The Finance Officer must ensure that project implementation is done in an environment of strong controls and that the project complies with Donor and the Revolutionary government of Zanzibar (SMZ) rules and regulations.

3. Take the lead in assuring the quality management of local subgrants from inception to closure through the development of adequate financial management systems and maintenance of strong financial controls to guarantee compliance with donor regulations.

4. Ensure that programming and operations staff improve their understanding of DFID granting mechanisms and build their capacity to adhere to donor regulations related to reporting, human resources, asset management, and procurement.

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5. Perform on-going monitoring and assessment of DVB’s and IUs’ (Districts) capacity to accurately record and post all transactions and follow up actions to resolve any identified problems.

6. Prepare and implement training and technical assistance as needed to address local capacity needs and reinforce grant management through on job support and monitoring,

7. Actively participate in program meetings as appropriate to effectively plan and coordinate financial and programmatic activities in conjunction with DVB and IUs (implementing districts)

8. Provide technical assistance to all project staff in preparation of annual project budgets and narratives and sub-award budgets and modifications when needed.

9. Make sure vouchers, monthly journals, invoices, financial reports, accruals and other financial deliverables are well prepared and filed both in hard and electronic copies.

10. Reconcile all control accounts on a monthly/quarterly basis to ensure completeness and integrity of financial information e.g. Bank & Cash, Prepayments, Accruals, Staff Debtors etc. and report accordingly in a timely manner.

11. Perform Project variance analysis and provide updated projections to support internal management and/or donor requirements.

12. Ensure the congruity and consistency of all relevant financial policies and procedures and alert project leadership when there is any financial risk to the project.

13. Provide support in the review of donor contracts to ensure compliance during the execution of contract.

14. Assist in responding to audit requests and manage close out processes.

15. Undertake other general finance and administrative duties as required to facilitate the smooth running of Accounting and Project Finance activities.

3. Key Requirements

Education & Related Experience:

1. A Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or /Professional qualification in accountancy such as ACCA, CPA, ACIS and CPE obtained from a recognized awarding Institution or an equivalent.

2. At least 5 years of working experience in Accounting/ procurement and Office Administration role in a donor-funded project. training will be an added advantage

Added advantages:

3. Training in NGO financial management or Grant management.

4. Understanding of Public health programs as well as an understanding of the synergy between programmatic, operational and financial components of public health initiatives.

1. Proven Knowledge of DFID financial management guidelines will be an added advantage

2. Demonstrated knowledge of protection, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and the field of safeguarding

4. Skills (Special Training or competences)

1. Experience in computer skills especially Word, Excel and e-mail/internet

2. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written English)

3. Accounting skills.

4. Excellent report preparation and presentation skills

5. Experience in programme budgeting

6. Experience in results-based management, project monitoring and reporting

7. Well-developed training and facilitation skills

8. Ability and willingness to work under pressure as part of a global team.