Finance & Administration Director, Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)

Project HOPE seeks an experienced Finance & Administration Director for the anticipated upcoming Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA). The 5-year Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)’s goal is to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and children less than five years old. SIHSA’s objectives are 1) improve the quality of family planning, maternal newborn child and adolescent health, and malaria services sustainably; 2) promote adoption of crucial health behaviors, and 3) strengthen the stewardship and governance of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, both at central and district levels, so it is better prepared to plan, budget, allocate resources and monitor health programs. SIHSA seeks to promote the integration of health services, including malaria services, to rapidly scale-up evidence-based interventions to address preventable causes of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent morbidities and mortality. 

SIHSA seeks to demonstrate innovative models to catalyze community-driven solutions and show models to promote private sector engagement. SIHSA seeks to build upon past and current U.S Government investments and leverage other development partner investments for improved health, including the World Bank, FCDO, and Global Fund investments.

This position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Sierra Leonean Nationals are encouraged to apply.

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency. 

Key Responsibilities

The Finance and Administration Director will provide overall procurement, financial, operational, safety and security, and compliance support to the SIHSA Activity. Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Finance and Operations Director is responsible for the overall administration and financial operations for the project. The Finance and Administration Director ensures that administrative departments are successfully managed and provides operations support as required. The Finance and Administration Director is responsible for training and mentoring staff on policies and procedures, donor regulations, new systems, and financial best practices is expected, as well as working closely with the Chief of Party and US-based personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management. The Finance and Operations Director normally manages other administrative functions such as Operations, Grants, HR, Security, and other office support staff. The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

• Provide overall procurement, financial, operational, safety and security, and compliance support to the project.
• Oversee management of sub-contracts, sub-awards, and/or possibly other outsourcing mechanism.
• Ensure funds expended are compliant with US government regulations and policies.
• Implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award, which may be a contract or a cooperative agreement.
• Initiate, develop, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the finance and compliance program and its related activities and to promote cost efficiency and compliance with all rules and regulations.
• Identify potential areas of financial and compliance vulnerability and risk and develop or implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues.
• Ensure proper financial documentation and reporting, establish and provide direction and management of project funds.
• Lead and oversee the development, management and complete life cycle of a variety of possible procurement mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, sub-grants, sub-contracts, and/or GUCs.
• Be responsible for managing the contract budget, tracking project spending and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID.
• Analyze financial data with attention to the impact of adaptation on programming.
• Develop, implement, and adjust when required the project’s safety and security strategy and protocols, and serves as the point of contact for the person in charge of security at USAID for any issue related to security reports and procedures.
• Mentor and supervise finance, operations, and other staff engaged in the activities noted here.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting or equivalent.
• At least eight (10) years’ experience working in international development, preferably democracy and governance activities.
• At least four (4) years’ experience in financial compliance and progressive supervisory work experience directly supervising administrative, finance, and/or operations staff.
• Demonstrable experience with management and/or administration for USAID projects, including experience managing sub-awards and GUCs.
• Knowledge of U.S. government references including OMB Circulars (e.g. A-122), 22 CFR 226 and 22 CFR 228, ADS, FAR, AIDAR, CAS, FFATA, DSSR, and FTR.
• Experience managing USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies, particularly financial reporting and compliance requirements.
• Fluency in English
• Ability to travel within Sierra Leone and occasionally internationally
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications and databases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience managing grants, contracts or other mechanisms that allow projects to seamlessly change course in response to new information
• Experience with accounting software such as Netsuit, Serenic, Navigator, ERPs, ACCPAC, or others.
• Sierra Leonean nationals are encouraged to apply.

Work environment:

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”