Finance Associate

The Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) in Guinea Bissau is funded jointly by the Government and Donor organizations; Gavi, the vaccine alliance, is one of the major funders of EPI in the country, financing a significant proportion of the country’s vaccine procurement, cold chain, service delivery and operational costs through multi-year Health systems strengthening (HSS) grants.

Maximizing the impact of the huge investments in the country’s immunization systems is a key priority for Gavi, such that invested resources ultimately translate to improvements in vaccination uptake and overall coverage. However, significant gaps in the Ministry of Public Health’s (MINSAP) financial and administrative systems have hampered the EPI team’s ability to draw down these critical Gavi funds for timely use, and where funds are accessed, issues with effective tracking, utilization, and accountability for the funds persist. The prevailing gaps – which include poorly articulated financial guidelines, weak capacity of country finance and program managers, irregular and cash-based funds disbursement processes, and absent/weak mechanisms for financial reporting and audit mechanisms – have historically translated to a lack of funds at the service delivery points and contributed to suboptimal EPI performance.

Thus, Gavi seeks to embed a dedicated Finance Associate at SIVE (MINSAP’s EPI Unit) to support Guinea Bissau to optimize the country’s immunization financial management systems to ensure timely fund availability and accountability for immunization program activities at the National level and in the SAB region.

The Finance Associate will work closely with Solina Health’s Management Partner and EPI Associate in Guinea Bissau to implement the following core technical responsibilities:

I. Technical Responsibilities

Elaboration and execution of standard financial management guidelines for MINSAP/EPI

1. Review and refinement of MINSAP’s draft financial management guidelines in alignment with the country’s PFM systems and Gavi policies, and in collaboration
2. Support the adoption of the guidelines by the MINSAP Board, ICC and any other relevant authorities
3. Ensure implementation of the adopted guidelines through capacity building/training of the admin and finance teams, and deployment of simple easy-to-use SOPs and work tools

Institutionalization of a defined protocol for budgeting and disbursement of funds at all levels

1. Optimize processes and tools for developing the annual EPI operational budget for activity implementation
2. Revamp the administrative procedures for EPI fund requisition and disbursement
3. Provide technical assistance for the transition from cash disbursement to electronic disbursement platforms (bank or mobile money transfers) for all EPI funds

Establishment of key financial accountability measures to ensure judicious use of EPI funds

1. Initiating the processes of EPI fund expenditure justification and reporting at the central and SAB regional level
2. Introducing procedures for EPI fund expenditure reviews via internal and external audit exercises

The Finance associate will also conduct other specific program activities including:

1. Liaison with key EPI financial stakeholders at MINSAP and SIVE as well as partners to effectively plan and implement financial management activities at the central and SAB level
2. Facilitating the continuous monitoring and review of financial management interventions
3. Capacity building for finance program officers at MINSAP (DGASS accountant, EPI administrator and EPI financial officers) with extension to SAB, and its sanitary areas
4. Development and dissemination of financial management SOPs and tools for EPI activities
5. Technical support for SIVE and SAB to conduct quarterly EPI budget performance reviews, track submission of financial retirements, conduct an internal audit and external audit exercises, and track all audit exceptions.
6. Participation in routine client engagement meetings and advocacy visits related to EPI financing and financial management

II. Required competencies

Core requirements

1. Stellar leadership, interpersonal, and relationship management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with members of the in-country and HQ teams
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distil complex subjects into simpler insights for a wider audience
3. High level of integrity, ability to deal with ambiguity, takes initiative/self-directed
4. Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability and trust
5. Consistently demonstrates innovative thinking that is client-centric and displays ownership
6. Excellent project management skills and a proven track record to manage numerous projects at any given
7. Possess strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
8. Digital literacy and proficiency in financial management software (e.g., Quickbooks) and computer packages including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Education *andExperience***

1. Academic training: Minimum ofUniversity Degree in Business Management, Accounting, Commerce, and/or Finance or being a Certified Public Accountant or equivalent certification. A University degree in a related functional area
2. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience as an Accountant or in a financial role. Applicants must have work experience in providing advisory support to the Government, designing protocols, and building the capacity of stakeholders related to financial management
3. Language: English and Portuguese (Essential); French (Desired)