Technical Advisor III – Global Fund Finance Support Lead

As a key member of the HPI Support Team, you will contribute to strategy development for government capacitystrengthening at a global level and provide technical guidance and leadership across three regions in capacity strengthening services to national partners (primarily national disease programs, Ministries of Health) in the area of financial management. In line with CRS’ program quality and partnership and capacity strengthening principles, as well as donor and industry standards, you will provide technical leadership and support to Country Programs and national partners to strengthen their financial management capacity. Your expertise, advice and influence will significantly contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ Global Fund capacity strengthening is in preparing national partners across three regions to eventually become Principal Recipients of Global Fund grants.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the design, advocate for, and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for capacity strengthening in financial management, with a focus on national partners meeting Global Fund Capacity Assessment Tool (CAT) standards. Ensure a cross-sectoral approach and leverage existing agency financial management guidance and tools for use with national partners.

• Provide technical solutions to national partners across three regions for strengthening their capacity in financial management and for achievement of Global Fund CAT standards.

• Oversee and lead the delivery of capacity strengthening in financial management for CRS’ national partners in Global Fund grants, beginning with understanding the finance-related capacity needs identified by national partners and the initial action plans proposed to address them; facilitate trainings, workshops, mentor and coach national program staff on best practices, tools and approaches.

• Deploy to priority countries on a regular basis to provide finance-related capacity building, institutional strengthening, and accompaniment for national partners in accordance with their priorities and related CAT standards.

• As appropriate, support Country Program teams to progressively alleviate the Limited-Cash policies with national partners while ensuring appropriate risk management measures are in place.

• Contribute to HQ, regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in capacity strengthening of national partners within the context of Global Fund grants, including supporting the development of a fee-for-service business model for sustainable provision of technical assistance/capacity strengthening services to national partners.

• Oversee and lead certain aspects of the agency knowledge management and learning agenda in financial capacity strengthening of national governments by ensuring collective learning, documenting, and sharing of key successes, promising practices, lessons learned and evidence-based implementation research; contribute to the development of national partner transition plans, as appropriate.

• Promote the collection of regular feedback from national partners to ensure partner satisfaction with the support and process. Establish and maintain relationships with national partners, donors, peer organizations, and other institutions.

• Represent CRS is targeted regional or global forums to develop opportunities and ensure collaboration and shared learning in financial capacity strengthening; to influence and share best practices and promote the joint work of national partners and CRS across three regions.

Basic Qualifications

• MBA or master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent) required.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally within a national government, the Global Fund, an international NGO, or as a fiscal agent, with a minimum of three years of accounting experience.
• Proven experience in technical assistance/capacity strengthening in financial management, including experience facilitating, training, mentoring, and coaching applying adult learning practices.
• Strong understanding and application of technical principles and concepts in Accounting and Finance.
• Track record of contributing to business development, including costing of capacity strengthening services.
• Experience in the development and production of curricula, tools, and other products to support financial capacity strengthening interventions. Demonstrated experience to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and informal methods.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, national governments, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of CRS’ partnership principles and capacity strengthening approach.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Technical and/or academic publications a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong familiarity and experience with Global Fund financial management requirements and guidelines.
• Familiarity with national disease programs and Ministries of Health in priority countries.
• Excellent knowledge of financial reporting software.

Required Languages – Fluent English and fluent French both required.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel 70% of the time for the first two years, after which travel will reduce to 50% max.
*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer **

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

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