Financial System Strengthening (FSS) Associate National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to its mission, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its staff.

Job Overview:
The FSS Associate Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Adamawa State Ministry of Health under the EU Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) grant. This position involves working closely with the IPM Specialist, the financial management team, and the health programme team to enhance financial management systems. Key responsibilities include conducting state-level training on accounting software, leading the rollout and data migration of this software across participating entities, and delivering bi-monthly financial management training for accountants at various levels. The consultant will also prepare quarterly progress reports, establish financial management knowledge systems, conduct performance reviews, and undertake assessments in collaboration with the PHCDA Internal Audit and Finance team. This role is vital for ensuring effective financial management and accountability within the health sector in Adamawa State.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct state-level Training of Trainers (ToT) on accounting software to build implementation capacity among stakeholders.
• Lead the rollout of accounting software and oversee data migration across participating entities to ensure seamless integration.
• Deliver bi-monthly financial management training sessions for accountants at the state, Local Government Area (LGA), and ward levels to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Prepare quarterly financial management system strengthening (FMSS) progress reports detailing achievements, risks, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
• Establish financial management knowledge systems to capture and disseminate lessons learned and best practices among stakeholders.
• Conduct quarterly grant performance reviews and variance analyses to identify areas for timely corrective actions.
• Undertake quarterly sample assessments in five LGAs in collaboration with the PHCDA Internal Audit and Finance team to ensure compliance and effectiveness of financial management practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum BA university degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Audit, or any other relevant field is required.
• A master’s degree or professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ICAN, ACCA) is an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, and financial controls, with a focus on partnership management.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting donor-funded health programmes, preferably with the EU or similar organizations.
• Experience working with government institutions and sub-national entities, particularly State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDAs), is advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a BA university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or Audit. A master's degree or professional accounting qualifications like CPA, ICAN, or ACCA are considered advantageous and may enhance the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, and financial controls. Candidates should have a proven track record of supporting donor-funded health programmes, ideally with experience in the EU or similar funding environments. Familiarity with government institutions and sub-national entities, particularly in the context of health care, will be beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Candidates must demonstrate strong report writing and presentation skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders at both national and state levels. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 12 months, and the working arrangement is office-based. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from individuals with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees at any stage of its recruitment process.