Please note that this position was close on Thursday, Nov. 10th 2011 at 11.59pm EST
The Salud Mesoamérica 2015 Initiative is searching for a Grants/Financial Officer to join the Coordination Unit based in Panamá City (Panama). The Grants/Financial Officer will be responsible of the financial implementation and administration of the SM2015 (legally known as MHF). Since the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the Executing Agency of the SM2015 Initiative, the Officer will also ensure that the financial regulations and procedures of the IDB are met. The Officer will also be responsible for coordinating with the IDB Grants and Co-Financing Management Unit, the IDB unit responsible for the fiduciary administration of donor trust funds.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Background:
The Mesoamerican Health Initiative (the "MHI") is a partnership between regional governments and private and public donors to improve the health of the poor in the Mesoamerican region. Historically and culturally, the Mesoamerican region comprises the areas where the pre-Hispanic indigenous populations flourished. It is also defined as a transnational economic region recognized by the seven countries in Central America -Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama- plus the nine federal states of Mexico in the south-eastern portion of that country -Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatán.
The current juncture - 5 years out from the Millennium Development Goals in 2015- provides a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards the health MDG in Mesoamerica via targeted performance-driven investments to increase the coverage of proven efficacious health interventions among the poorest populations. MHI priority areas are nutrition; reproductive, maternal and neonatal health; immunization and vaccination.
Recent health gains and political commitment at the highest levels within the region's governments give reason for optimism. With adequate resources, policy priority and technical support, Central American countries can reach the health MDGs in poor communities and show measurable results. To contribute to this goal, MHI will act on both the supply (program managers, health providers, health facilities, supply chains) and demand (households and communities) sides to reduce bottlenecks and introduce new incentives: providing grants plus performance measurement to align policy efforts, resources, staff, information, and other inputs in order to achieve improved health among the poor. As a results-oriented regional health partnership, the MHI is designed to be a catalyst for improving the health landscape in the region as well as a source of knowledge and capacity-building.
Technical cooperation grants financed through the MHI will be coordinated by a dedicated Secretariat based in Panama, which will be led by an Executive Secretary, and will have a modest structure of professionals specialized in priority areas. The Secretariat will interact with the donors and work closely with IDB staff, both in the country office and in headquarters, and will spearhead the IDB's health effort in the Mesoamerican region. This initiative represents an important commitment from the IDB's part to improve health standards and to contribute to the development of the region. Further information on the Initiative is available on request.
Objectives of the Consultancy:
The Grants/Financial Officer will be responsible of the financial implementation and administration of the MHI according to its governing documents (IDB Board Resolution and Terms and Conditions, Donor Agreement Letters, Proposals, Operating Regulations), and will ensure that the financial regulations and procedures of the IDB are met. The Officer will also be responsible for coordinating with the IDB Grants and Co-Financing Management Unit, the IDB unit responsible for the fiduciary administration of donor trust funds.
Activities:
Reporting to the Executive Secretary of the MHI and in coordination with the Social Protection and Health Division (SPH), the Grants and Co-Financing Management Unit (GCM), and the Finance Department (FIN) of the IDB, the Grants/Financial Officer will responsible of the financial implementation and administration of the MHI. The Officer should be able to provide information on performance and resource allocation in order to inform and enhance decision-making, as well as manage the procurement and administrative services. The consultant will be the focal point for budget formulation and execution support, and for ensuring the most transparent and efficient procurement system. The functions of the Grants/Financial Officer include:
- Carrying out advisory functions for all financial management aspects of the MHI's project cycle including planning and implementation of the projects in order to comply with the financial reporting timelines, (i.e, participation in project design and execution).
- Processing, executing, and following up on the Administrative and Capital Budgets of the MHI, in coordination with the Secretariat team, the IDB and the Donors.
- Alongside GCM, overseeing the budget process to provide an operating budget that reflects the MHI's annual plan.
- Assisting in the budget estimations of new incoming resources, in close coordination with GCM.
- Managing, in coordination with the Executive Secretary, the facilities of the Secretariat, including real estate purchases, security, general maintenance and office space management.
- Advising the Secretariat of the MHI on policies and processes in the areas of finance and administration to ensure compliance.
- Managing the procurement activities, including the implementation of IDB procurement policies and procedures.
- Supporting the development and implementation of results-based financing (RBF) mechanism.
- Establishing a results-based management of best practices to ensure the effectiveness of grant resources.
- Tracking the indicators linked to disbursements.
- Preparing reports to be sent to internal and external stakeholders following the established channels and authorities in coordination with GCM.
- Support to the IDB and provide advice and information for the preparation of progress reports to the Donor.
- Preparing analyses, reports and financial disclosures related to the areas of responsibility in accordance with established accounting standards, controls and procedures.
- Leading and/or participating in the design, implementation and maintenance of automated systems and reporting platforms that support the processes related to the above activities.
- Monitoring compliance with established accounting policies and procedures in the areas of responsibility.
- Supporting the External Auditors on their annual audits of the areas of responsibility.
- Carrying out preventive reviews and ex-post supervision of MHI operations.
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Results:
The Grants/Financial Officer will prepare and deliver a monthly progress report to GCM as part of the latter´s yearly report to the Donors on financial management and specific deliverables, regarding the progress in the financial and budget aspects.
Characteristics of the consultancy:
- Type:Trust fund appointtee, under a special appointment using donor trust funds (includes a stipend for health insurance reimbursement for relocation expenses).
- Duration:1- 5 years, depending on performance.
- Post of Duty: Panama City; must be available for duty travel to all participating countries.
- Coordination: The consultant's work will be coordinated bythe Social protection principalspecialist in the SCL/SPH division.
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Qualifications
Academic: Master's degree or equivalent, preferably in Economics, Accounting, Finance or other relevant discipline. Any additional knowledge of Public Health, Health Economics, or similar areas will be highly considered.
Experience: A minimum of six years of experience in the area of project financial management, financial and institutional analysis of public and private institutions, budget, accounting, andinternal and external auditing.
Competencies:
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Strategic thinking: Ability to define and articulate a shared vision consistent with organizational strategies and results in the achievement of long-term objectives.
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Drive for results: Pursues work with energy, drive, and a need for completion; is motivated to produce quality products; works constantly to respond to client needs; takes initiative with a clear purpose in mind; applies innovative ideas; wishes to help others and contribute to positive change; adapts to changing work environments and has a flexible approach to resolving challenges.
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Communications: Ability to engage others; express facts and ideas clearly and in an organized manner orally and in writing; promotes effective sharing of knowledge, information, products and skills within and outside the organization, in particular with clients and strategic stakeholders; contributes to build a continuous learning environment; obtains input appropriately from stakeholders across and within the organization.
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Systems: Experience working with PC-based spreadsheets and database applications; expert knowledge of Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, STATA and relational data bases highly desirable; demonstrated ability to lead teams of system users and developers in the implementation of financial transaction systems.
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Analysis and problem solving: The ability to make critical decisions based on systematic analysis and sound judgment.
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Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English, written, spoken, and reading.
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Individuals with relatives working for the IDB within and including the fourth degree of consanguinity and the second degree of affinity are not eligible.
This includes staff members and consultants. Candidates must be citizens of a member country of the Inter-American Development Bank.
This position was close on Thursday, Nov. 10th 11.59pm EST - Thank you for your interest.