Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking a Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) for a potential five -year, USAID-funded, supply chain program in Bangladesh that is expected to be part of the NextGen Comprehensive Technical Assistance IDIQ Task Orders. The program will aim to improve supply chain systems for commodity security, logistics, and regulation at all levels to ensure that quality, affordable medicines, and other health commodities are consistently available to healthcare providers and patients when and where they are needed and used appropriately for improved health outcomes, in support of moving toward Universal Health Coverage.

MSH is a global health nonprofit that makes foundational changes to health systems to protect people from diseases and improve their health. MSH collaborates with local partners, from the Ministry to the community, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to quality health care around the globe.

This position is subject to project award and funding.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The DFA reports to the Chief of Party (COP) and works as part of the project leadership team to provide high-level financial management and operations leadership, contract and subcontract management support. They oversee financial and operational functions to support the timely and effective implementation of the project’s technical scope of work. They provide counsel to help project leadership ensure that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures. The DFA will liaise with the project leadership team, local partners, USAID, and MSH’s headquarters regarding any aspects of program implementation, contractual, risk management, cost share, governance and all other matters related to finance and administration. They will work as part of the project leadership team to ensure that all expenditures, payment, procurement, vehicle management are carried out in accordance with USAID and MSH standards and regulations. The DFA provides authoritative leadership on all budget, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting and contract matters to ensure timely and effective implementation of the program’s activities in Bangladesh.

The DFA will oversee the financial management for the project. This includes oversight of procurement, logistics, human resources, accounting and finance, assets and records, as well as any grants or construction that might be required by the project. This individual will be responsible for managing the contract budget and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID. They will ensure funds expended are compliant with USG regulations and policies. They will implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award. Specific areas of accountability will include:

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Financial Management:

• Lead the program annual budget development process that includes managing the annual work plan, life-of-project and activity budgets and ensuring compliance of program expenditures with approved budgets; ensure the consistency, inclusion and accuracy of costs and that they comply with agreed policy and practices, and work with staff in developing budgets for technical activities as necessary. Revise overall and sub-budgets as needed throughout the work plan year.
• Maintain systems for program budget monitoring and tracking that include financial and contractual data. Provide routine pipeline analyses to the COP and USAID. Also, provide any ad hoc reports requested by USAID. In addition, perform routine financial analysis on program expenditures, documenting and monitoring overall performance, analyzing trends, identifying gaps to ensure efficient and sound project management.
• Responsible for coordination of contract management activities. Work with project staff, the home office, and partners to draft, manage and monitor implementation of contracts. Provide routine progress reports to the project management team.
• Serves as a local office lead with MSH headquarters for preparation of budgets and budget amendments to be submitted to USAID.
• Monitor adjustments to the annual budget whenever required.
• Coordinate monthly requests of funds, based on budget and cash flow projections, to ensure the program has all the necessary funds for the operations.
• Review purchase orders and confer with team leader for approval, prior to issuance of the purchase orders for program procurement of commercial goods and services within agreed upon thresholds.
• Ensure all project staff is trained on USAID Rules and Regulations and compliance with the contract.

Administration:

• Ensure project actions are governed by the highest standards of personal and business conduct as stipulated in policy guidelines.
• Collaborate with the COP to (a) ensure that project activities and management operations are implemented as per MSH Mission, values, and policies, and standard operating procedures, and local laws and regulations, and (b) to safeguard MSH’s reputation – Financial, Contractual and political integrity.
• Support the COP in the management of the project, aligning staff, systems, and other resources with the annual work plan and budget to provide timely, cost effective, responsive, and high-quality operations and administrative support within local laws and available resources, and in an environment with adequate internal controls, adhering to contracts regulations, MSH Policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure timely submission of administrative and financial reports to the team leader and corporate operations office as required.
• Provide administrative supervision to the project specific support staff and be accountable for their performance management (including regular results, check-ins, formal appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching and carrier development support).
• In liaison with the other members of the project leadership team, coordinate execution of internal/external financial, operations, and program reviews or audits, and ensure timely follow up to review or audit conclusions and recommendations.
• Ensure that all costs, including staff level of effort, are charged are appropriately charged against the various project activities.
• Participate in project risk register development and implementation and take proactive steps to mitigate risks within operational functions.
• Take responsibility for risk management and good governance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, and accounting or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience managing, in increasing roles of responsibility, finance, operations, procurement, contracts management, construction, logistics and/or human resource related matters for complex international development activities of a similar dollar value.
• Significant experience with USAID-funded projects preferably in Bangladesh, with a thorough knowledge of USAID financial reporting and compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
• Proven leadership and capacity in negotiation and conflict management.
• Demonstrated experience to provide financial and management technical assistance to organizations and conduct capacity strengthening trainings.
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills with fluency in English.
• Proficient computer skills, including being highly skilled in MS Excel.
• Ability to travel.
• Local candidates strongly preferred.