Senior Technical Advisor - Global Fund / Telecommuter

Company: CTI Education Group
Location: Baltimore
Posted on: January 16, 2022

Job Description:

Job Description - Senior Technical Advisor - Global Fund / Telecommuter (210000JP) Job Description Senior Technical Advisor - Global Fund / Telecommuter - ( 210000JP ) Description About CRS Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS' relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. Job Summary The Global Fund Support Unit (GFSU) works to strengthen CRS' programming and institutional links with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ('the Global Fund') and similar, health-focused, donors. As a member of the GFSU, the Advisor will engage with country programs, regional offices, and headquarters departments to support country teams to develop and implement quality Global Fund grants. For the new three-year cycle 2021-2023, CRS has a confirmed portfolio of seven Principal Recipient grants for a total 3-year budget of around $550 million, in addition to several Sub-Recipient and Service provider contracts. The GFSU Advisor will keep abreast of Global Fund requirements and, in collaboration with Overseas Finance department (OVF), strengthen and standardize CRS's approach to managing and reporting on Global Fund grants across all countries, particularly focusing on finance-related requirements. Working in close collaboration with OVF and Regional Finance Officers (RFOs), the Advisor will support capacity building of country programs implementing Global Fund grants, in all areas of financial management (budgeting, reporting, reprogramming, SR management, etc.). S/he will provide direct country support especially during budgeting, reprogramming and reporting time. S/he will also support country programs on other operational issues relevant for Global Fund grants. Finally, s/he will also work closely with OVF to develop and monitor KPIs across the entire Global Fund portfolio to inform management decisions. Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Financial Management Quality and Compliance:
• Keep current on Global Fund finance management guidelines (budgeting guidelines, reporting guidelines, audit guidelines, etc.).
• Work closely with OVF to update and develop new guidance and tools for CRS to manage and report on Global Fund grants (Finance manual, reporting checklists, etc.).
• Develop guidance and tools for the elaboration and review of Global Fund budgets.
• In collaboration with Finance, help Country programs prepare for the annual External audit of GF grants.
• Advise and contribute to discussions with the Global Fund Finance team at the Agency level.
• Work closely with OVF to develop and monitor financial KPIs across the GF portfolio to inform management decisions and negotiations with the Global Fund.
• Direct country / grant support:
• Collaborate with RFOs and GFSU country focal points to ensure quality of financial reporting to the Global Fund.
• Provide hands-on support to country programs in developing their financial reports (PUDRs, Financial Closure reports, etc.).
• Support country programs in managing LFA and Global Fund finance specialists' requests. Help in issue resolution, engaging directly with Global Fund finance specialists when needed.
• Support the Country Programs in conducting regular budget follow-up and proactively submitting reprogramming requests to the Global Fund to ensure high absorption; provide guidance for and support with reviews of reprogramming requests.
• Advise on financial risk management (limited cash policy, mobile money, etc.).
• Ensure that grants are closed in accordance with GF and CRS policies/procedures. C. Business Development
  • Provide guidance and accompaniment of country programs for the elaboration of budgets for new PR grants, SR grants or service provider opportunities. D. Knowledge Management and Learning (KML):
    • Keep the Global Fund Finance communities of practice (one in English and one in French) active
    • Identify and share good practices across Global Fund grants.
    • Maintain tracker of Global Fund grant values and ensure consistency of information between our internal systems and external data source.
    • Provide consolidated information across our GF portfolio, past results as well as forecasts
    • Analyze Global Fund disbursement trends Key Working Relationships
      • External:
        • Global Fund Finance teams,
        • In-country government partners (MoH, NMCP),
        • Technical assistance organizations; and
        • Working groups as appropriate.
        • Internal:
          • Global Fund Support Unit (GFSU),
          • Overseas Finance Department (Headquarters),
          • CRS Global Fund grant teams in the field (especially grant managers),
          • Country Program finance teams,
          • Regional Finance Officers (RFOs); and
          • Partnership and Capacity Strengthening team. Work Conditions/Environment Conditions
            • This position is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Telecommuting may be considered, provided the person is willing and able to travel internationally. Qualifications Education and Experience -
              • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related field.
              • Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including at least two years of experience traveling and working in low-resource settings.
              • Prior experience in financial management or oversight of Global Fund grants.
              • Knowledge of Global Fund policies and procedures.
              • Excellent writing and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail.
              • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including in cross-cultural settings.
              • Demonstrated personal accountability and drive to serve others, with an ability to work independently and in a team environment.
              • Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks. Required Languages - Fluency in French and excellent English oral and written language skills required. Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) - These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
                • Integrity
                • Builds Relationships
                • Develops Talent
                • Strategic Mindset
                • Accountability & Stewardship Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (SKAs) -
                  • Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees in a cooperative and friendly manner.
                  • Ability to comprehend new information, distill it and then and teach it to others.
                    • Familiarity with the Global Fund, including funding cycles, technical requirements, project deliverables, regulations and working preferences.
                    • Ability to bring a whole-agency lens to his/her portfolio, recognizing and pulling key information that is pertinent to CRS at agency level, and disseminating such information to relevant units/persons.
                    • Excellent verbal and written communication, including persuasive messaging and communicating complex issues to a variety of audiences.
                    • Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
                    • Customer service oriented; ability to cultivate new relationships and instill confidence.
                    • Proactive and willing to take on additional responsibilities, challenge assumptions and elevate issues as needed. Travel - - Ability and willingness to travel to the Baltimore/DC area and/or Geneva for in-person meetings, as needed. Ability to travel to low-resource environments in foreign countries as needed. Total travel will be up to 15-30% of time. What we offer CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. ***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. EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

Keywords: CTI Education Group, Baltimore , Senior Technical Advisor - Global Fund / Telecommuter, Accounting, Auditing , Baltimore, Maryland