Vacancies at The Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC)

The Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC) is a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore established by UMB to carry out UMB’s programs to strengthen health systems and improve the human condition in the areas where UMB operates through MGIC. MGIC has UMB-approved affiliates, field offices, and program offices (collectively known as “country offices”) throughout sub-Saharan Africa. MGIC activities are funded generally by U.S. government entities through cooperative agreements with UMB.

We are recruiting to fill the positions below:

Job Title: Grants and Contract Manager

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job level: Senior-level
Grade level: Aligns with country salary structure
Position type: Full-time staff position
Work Schedule: M-F; 8:30 AM - 5:00PM
Reports to: Director, Finance and Administration (Primary); Director, Health Programs UMB (HQ)

Position Description

• This position requires substantial knowledge of Grants Management. S / he will work closely with the Director, Finance and Administration to coordinate and document the sub-grantee selection process, track sub-grantee actual expenditures against budgets, programmatic deliverables against grant agreements, Carry out regular trainings as needs arise from sub grantees and in conjunction with the Home Office, facilitate timely disbursement of funds to sub grantees and ensure that Nigeria G&C Management systems are fully up to date

Duties and Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Home Office Grants Management Team, develop and administer grant awards and award modification documents; negotiated memorandum of grant awards, grants management tools and system.
• In conjunction with the Home Office Grants Management team, coordinate and document the sub-grantee selection process.
• Review sub-grantee work plans, performance frameworks and budgets,
• Develop tools to track sub-grantee actual expenditures against budgets, programmatic deliverables against grant agreements.
• Where necessary perform data verification activities and support sub- grantee to the maintain the necessary records and files for audit purpose
• Ensure timely training of sub-grantees to understand and comply fully with donor standards.
• Carry out regular trainings as needs arise from sub grantees and in conjunction with the Home Office, facilitate timely disbursement of funds to sub grantees.
• Ensure that Nigeria G&C Management systems are fully up to date.
• Support the compilation of timely and quality proposals, reports and contract modification requests for submission to donors and consortium partners.
• Work with the Compliance Manager in monitoring compliance with donor procedures throughout the grant cycle and building capacity of new and existing staff on internal accountability tools and donor procedures.
• Proactively follow-up on donor contractual obligations, from contracting to dosing and archiving, and ensuring contractual obligations are known and understood by relevant staff / departments.
• Support the Country Director in preparing for meetings with donors by providing briefing papers and accompanying to meetings as requested.
• Support the development of communication materials targeting donors and other external partners.
• Actively monitor and identify funding opportunities from donors, new institutional donors, funding from foundations and private donors as well as co-funding opportunities.
• Coordinate dialogues between departments in response to proposal design and review proof-read and finalize proposal narratives and budgets before submission to HQ, ensuring compliance with internal and donor requirements, in close consultation with other departments.
• Introduce or disseminate tools and methodologies to improve project implementation follow-up / good grant management.
• Contribute to reviewing terms of contract with donors or prime recipients before signature.
• Monitor validation by the donor of final reports and last payment - closure of the grant.
• Collaborate with the coordination team to ensure due diligence and vetting of potential partners is conducted.
• Work closely with all relevant departments to proactively and regularly monitor programmatic compliance in accordance with donor requirements (progress against indicators, project schedule, facilitate project review meetings).
• Ensure content (articles, pictures) are provided on a regular basis to the communication department and are compliant with contractual obligations
• Engage in other tasks as requested by the DFA and the Country Director.

Qualifications
Education:

• Minimum of B.Sc or HND in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics with ACA / ACCA / CPA Professional Accounting Qualifications.
• Minimum of 6 years cognate experience in grants accounting and sub award management.
• Experience with accounting standards / practices of international organization a strong plus.
• Working Knowledge of ERP, 365 and related packages.
• Strong Knowledge of the OMB Circulars in particular 2 CFR 200 and working knowledge of the US Federal Acquisitions Register
• At least 5 years’ experience in international development, international relations or related sector.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Expertise in proposal and report writing, donor rules and regulations, validation procedures, coordination of processes.
• Experience in Project Cycle Management, theory of change and project implementation tools
• Ability to write donor reports and proposals in excellent English.
• Knowledge of key institutional donors, including CDC, USAID
• Fluency in English and additional advantage if fluent in Hausa and Kanuri
• Detail-oriented, organised, and able to manage urgent request and priorities;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural context and be a team player
• Proven ability to work independently under minimal guidance, pressure and tight deadlines
• Problem solver with a work style that builds confidence in others.

Language:

• Required level of proficiency in English (speaking, reading, and writing).

Position Description

• This position requires substantial knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methods, operations research, advanced analyses of research data, scientific writing and documentation, training and capacity building in research methods as well as designing conducting operations research and surveys as vehicles for strategic information dissemination to strengthen policy formulation and program development.
• S / he will work closely with the Director, Strategic information, Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Health Informatics and Surveillance / Epidemiology units to improve data utility to inform planning, and organization-wide learning, and to design, harness, synthesize and communicate key performance and outcome level results and lessons to different partners and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish, lead and manage the Operations Research, Learning, Knowledge Management & Strategic Communication Unit.
• Continuously work with project leads to develop and implement data collection, analysis and write up of results focused on the process, outcomes and impact of all projects undertaken by UMB, Nigeria.
• Lead strategic coordination, review and analysis of key program deliverables including quarterly and annual reports for submission to funders; ensuring timeliness, completeness and content quality. Ensure that the projects effectively and consistently report on progress towards project outcomes.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings in ways that ensure that research is collated and directed in appropriate pathways and channels.
• Identify the best KM practices and leverage existing technology and skill set to create new systems and project intelligence forums
• Maintain excellence by ensuring the quality, ethics and policy relevance of research
• Actively contribute to developing MGIC’s overall learning and adaptive management systems, facilitating reflection sessions to explore and refine the project theory of change
• Ensure the currency, completeness and adequate storage of UMB’s research data and documents
• Ensure the communication of research findings through publications in peer reviewed journals and books and oral - presentations at scientific conferences and professional meetings
• Manage all research and- project activities in compliance with UMB’s policies and procedures.
• Represent UMB at research and public health communities, in media, academic and professional for a locally, nationally and internationally.
• Engage in other tasks as requested by the Country Director.

Other:

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Country Director.

Qualifications
Education:

• Professional Accounting Qualification qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, CIMA with Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration or Public Administration, or the equivalent.
• Formal training and certification in the rules and regulations of managing U.S. Government funding.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Experience:

• Doctoral degree in Epidemiology, Demography, Social Statistics or related field, with relevant training or expertise in HIV / SRH fields and at least five years professional experience and at least two years of relevant experience in successfully initiating, managing and implementing operations research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to design and conduct operations research, public health and social science research including experience with a variety of research methodologies, research capacity building and informed policy advocacy
• Experience working with networks of SRH / HIV researchers, policy makers and program managers as well as consultants and NGOs / CBOs geared to common research and policy agendas
• Demonstrated ability to stimulate fund raising and secure funds for program and research activities as needed
• Strong working knowledge of the HIV / AIDS and SRH fields in Nigeria with proven past positions.
• Fairly high profile in the health and SRH / HIV fields with a strong scientific publication records.
• Capacity to understand and manage collaborations with research investigators, governmental. donor and civil society partners, service providers and consultants from a variety of field a and cultures
• Excellent diplomatic, representational, problem-solving , management and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building
• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills
• Willingness to travel within country and internationally on a regular basis

Language:

• Required level of proficiency in English (speaking, reading, and writing).

Position Description

• The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) will report to and support the Country Director in the provision of strategic leadership, management of the organization and the provision of oversight and support to the operations, finance and staff.
• The Director will be responsible for the oversight and management of the following project functions and services: Financial planning and management; Grants and contracts management, procurement of goods and services; Project administration; Physical facilities management; Contract management; Logistics and ensuring compliance with CDC regulations; MGIC Nigeria policies and procedures; and Nigerian laws and regulations.
• S / he will directly supervise the Operations, Finance, Procurement and Logistics personnel. The position will be based from Abuja and applicants must be authorized to work in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
Finance and Budget Management:

• Provide support and leadership to the management team in budget development, monitoring and analysis of financial information and reports. Coordinate input for the annual budgeting process with the Country Director and Program Directors.
• Manage and supervise monitoring and tracking systems for the budge. Advise the Country Director on financial status and budgetary decisions
• Offer treasury management and maintain stewardship and fiduciary responsibility of financial resources ensuring sufficient cash resources are available in-country to meet project obligations
• Supervise finance and administrative staff, and facilitate team work to plan for and meet applicable HQ reporting timelines and statutory report filing deadlines
• Ensure the preparation of complete and accurate monthly and ad hoc financial reports and submission of financial information to UMB / MGIC within the stated deadlines
• Oversee the general accounting functions including accounts payables and payroll, banking, accounts receivables, audit planning and submission of Tax and VAT returns.

Grants and Contracts Management:

• The DFA will be responsible for the overall contractual management of program awards, sub- awards and contracts.
• Specifically, the responsibilities will include managing and monitoring expenses, ensuring that all contractual documents comply with CDC, USAID rules and regulations.
• In addition, this position will serve as a subject-matter-expert in the areas of standard provisions, policies and procedures governing non-governmental and governmental contracts, awards, grants, bi-laterals, MOU, sub-agreements, and leases. S/he will maintain good relationships with donors on all contractual and procurement matters.
• Review and and ensure completeness of pre-award due diligence and related required documentation
• Develop award and contract agreements, Technical Service Contracts, and modifications as required.
• Prepare and submit contractual documents the approval to Program Sponsors including prior approvals, procurement, and waivers.
• Modify awards as required to reflect updates / changes in budgets, obligations, and CDC / USAID regulations and reporting requirements.
• Ensure proper close-out of awards, sub-awards and subcontracts.
• Coordinate and maintain documentation for award compliance such as environmental, Institutional Review Board, Open Data Policy, and other regulations.
• Analyze contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and UMB policies and procedures.
• Interpret policy and regulations for contracts and awards that require specific certifications.
• Advise on sub-award compliance, management, and monitoring
• Liase with sub-recipients on a regular basis regarding contractual, financial and operational issues
• Provide exceptional, timely customer service in all dealing with internal and external partners.
• Cultivate professional relationship with CDC and USAID Agreement Officer and Representatives to ensure timely approvals

Operational Leadership and Management:

• Oversee development, application and updating of written policies and procedures for country office operations ensuring policies are in line with UMB / MGIC policy, US Government Funding regulations and national government requirements.
• In liaison with Program Directors, oversee the procurement processes including competitive bidding and documentation for local goods and services for project programs and operations ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Facilitate collaborative relationships with legal counsel, local fiscal agent, Payroll vendors, Lessor, Auditors, bankers, company secretaries, suppliers and relevant U.S. and Nigerian government agencies
• Work with Country Director to identify and problem-solve strategic, programmatic, and operational challenges to promote programmatic implementation and expenditures of funds.
• Oversee and provide guidance to issues relating to procurement, administrative, logistical, asset management, IT, maintenance, fleet management, security, insurance and risk management functions for the country office.
• Manage the leasing and maintenance of offices used by the organization. This includes determination of project needs for offices and negotiation of leases.
• Supervise the IT Support Contractor ensuring that problems with IT and office equipment and systems are resolved in a timely manner by the IT Contractor.
• Provide administrative supervision to all operations and finance staff and oversee performance management (including regular work planning, check-ins, formal appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards and empowerment, training and coaching).
• Approve purchases and payments according to the MGIC Nigeria Work Plans and in line with finance and operational procedures, and applicable guidelines and limits.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a filing system in electronic and hard copy format for technical, financial, HR, and administrative documents.

Other:

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Country Director.

Qualification
Education:

• Professional Accounting qualification. Qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, CIMA with Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration or Public Administration, or the equivalent.
• Formal training and certification in the rules and regulations of managing U.S. Government funding

Experience. Knowledge and Skills

• Ten (10) years of comparable senior work experience (preferably at Director level) that includes operations management, procurement and financial management.
• Strong financial oversight and monitoring experience including significant experience with managing program budget according to US Government funding guidelines
• Extensive contractual and financial management experience, with at least Ten years at a mid-management level, working with CDC, USAID, DOD and other international donor agencies.
• Experience with project management tolls to manage large project efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in the supervision of staff, including managers and support staff, and a commitment to building staff's capacity

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of bank reconciliation processes.
• Strong understand of international contract and cooperative agreements including their relevant terms, conditions and the difference between them.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced complex team environment with multiple projects / task, short deadlines, competing deadlines and intense pressure to perform
• Advance computer skills (MS Office, financial management packages and databases).
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, negotiation and communication skills with ability to prioritize, multiple task and work effectively in an ever-changing environment
• Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills; ability to interact cross culturally and with persons from a variety of professional disciplines in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner.

Language:

• Required level of proficiency in English (speaking, reading, and writing).