Founded in 2002, by President William J. Clinton and Ira Magaziner, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (“CHAI”) is a global health organization committed to strengthening integrated health systems and expanding access to care and treatment in the developing world. CHAI’s solution-oriented approach focuses on improving market dynamics for medicines and diagnostics; lowering prices for treatment; accelerating access to lifesaving technologies; and helping governments build the capacity required for high-quality care and treatment programs. Since its inception, CHAI’s programs have helped more than 11.8 million people in more than 70 countries have access to CHAI-negotiated prices for HIV/AIDS medicines, saving the global health community billions of dollars. For more information, please visit: www.clintonhealthaccess.org.
In 2005, CHAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Malawi (GoM) to strengthen health systems in the most challenged districts, provide national support to HIV/AIDS drug pricing and programmatic work, support the pilot and scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) initiatives, expand access to ART for children, strengthen Malawi’s lab system, and scale-up an integrated nutrition Program for children. CHAI’s support to Malawi has expanded to include Human Resources for Health (HRH), Vaccines (pneumococcal and rotavirus), and Health Financing.
Position Overview:
Malawi ranks among one of the most donor-dependent countries in the world; more than 70% of total health sector resources and 99% of HIV/AIDS-specific resources are externally-funded by donors. In 2015, Malawi secured close to $286 million towards the national HIV response from the Global Fund. As the principal recipient (PR), the Ministry of Health is responsible for ensuring that funding is appropriately executed for the activities and procurement of commodities. However, in July 2016, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report highlighting severe underspend of the Global Fund grant. The results of the OIG report identified inefficiencies and ineffective program and financial management, leading to low absorption and over-commitment.
In response to the risks identified, in 2016 a Global Fund Program Implementation Unit (PIU) was instated within the Ministry of Health (MOH) to mitigate the identified risks. CHAI is now supporting the PIU in strengthening financial management, specifically by building the capacity of the PIU and relevant departmental units in the MOH. In addition, CHAI is continuing to support the latest concept note development for the upcoming funding cycle.
Based in Lilongwe, the Grant Management Associate will play a critical role in an environment comprised of diverse stakeholders from national programs, Ministry of Health, and Global Fund. The Associate will work closely with the newly-established PIU, and will be responsible to ensure that systems supporting improved financial management are in place, and provide technical assistance as required. The role requires high levels of coordination within PIU, the Oversight Committee within the Malawi Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), and CHAI Malawi team to oversee the development and dissemination of management tools and processes; thus closely collaborating with the PIU to build capacity within the PIU’s M&E and Finance teams for data collection and grant reporting to Global Fund. S/he will serve as a key connection for the finance, M&E, administrative and program staff at the PIU and thus must possess the ability to observe and understand capacities and problems across departments and at different levels of the Malawian health system. In addition, s/he may provide back-up support to Concept Note development as required.
This position will have direct and immediate impact on the lives of thousands of patients. It presents an opportunity to work with a committed set of stakeholders to together develop processes that will continue to support improved grant management for a country where donor investments are critical.
Responsibilities:
This position will provide technical assistance to develop a robust financial management processes and tools together with the PIU. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and implement tools and process improvements to streamline budget formulation, budget execution, and monitoring and reporting against expenditure targets across program units, PIU, and country-level oversight;
- Liaise with PIU, program units, the Oversight Committee of the CCM, and relevant stakeholders to ensure routine timely and accurate financial information is made available for grant management decisions;
- Build capacity of the PIU by creating and carrying out institutionalization plans for the above tools and processes;
- Support the development of the Global Fund 2017-2019 concept note application, including follow-on activities after the submission is made;
- Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the Health Financing Program Manager
Qualifications:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from a well-recognised, high-calibre institution;
- A minimum of three years of professional experience;
- Strong analytical skills and advanced technical proficiency with MS Excel and PowerPoint (analytical skills and proficiency levels will be tested during recruiting process);
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in high-pressure and dynamic environments;
- Ability to navigate political discussions objectively and diplomatically;
- Excellent organisational and problem solving skills;
- Excellent verbal and written business communication skills.
Advantages:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Business, Public Health, or other relevant areas;
- At least three years of work experience in grant administration, business/process consulting or financial management in public or private sector;
- Experience and/or understanding of Global Fund rules and regulations;
- Experience in public financial management, particularly in developing countries;
- Experience developing SOPs and/or financial management tools;
- Chichewa fluency, both written and verbal; and
- Experience working in developing countries, particularly in the health sector and in Sub-Saharan Africa.
More Information
- Job City Lilongwe
