Associate Director – Finance and Grant Management at Jhpiego

Jhpiego is recruiting an Associate Director – Finance and Grant Management in Abuja. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight of project finance and management functions, ensuring resources are used efficiently and financial systems meet Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, donor and Nigerian legal requirements. The post is part of the project senior-management team and serves as a principal adviser on financial and operational risk and resource stewardship.

Reports to: Finance and Operations Director, with an indirect reporting line to the Project Director.

Key responsibilities

Strategic financial leadership

• Lead project financial management, including start-up and close-out activities.
• Develop and strengthen project financial strategies, standard operating procedures and internal controls in line with Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University and Nigerian requirements.
• Advise project and country-office leadership on financial, operational and risk matters.
• Supervise, coach and develop finance and grants staff, and promote consistent policies, controls and service standards.
• Identify financial, compliance and fiduciary risks and ensure mitigation actions are implemented and monitored.

Budgeting, planning and milestone management

• Lead project budgets, work-plan budgets, milestones, forecasts, scenario analyses and budget revisions with programme, technical, procurement, operations and global teams.
• Align expenditure, forecasts, procurement plans, resource allocations and cash needs with approved work plans and project milestones.
• Monitor burn rates, commitments, cash flow, funding balances and financial performance; explain variances and recommend corrective action.
• Track payment-linked milestones, verification dates, invoices, payment status, documentation and cash-flow implications.
• Coordinate financial requirements for milestone verification, invoicing and payment, ensuring complete and timely supporting records.

Financial systems, grants and controls

• Oversee accounting, payment processing, payroll interfaces, reconciliations, records management and month- and year-end close processes.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reports for project leadership, the country office, Jhpiego Baltimore and donors.
• Oversee cash management, financial records, approvals, contracts, procurement documents and asset records, maintaining audit readiness.
• Provide financial and grant-management oversight for project awards, sub-awards and partnerships.
• Work with grants, compliance, contracts, programme and finance teams on sub-agreements, award documents, modifications and binding agreements.
• Support sub-recipient selection, pre-award assessment, budgeting, monitoring, capacity strengthening, close-out and final reporting.
• Establish controls for contractor and sub-award mobilisation, advances, performance security where applicable, progress payments, retention, variations, completion records and final settlement.

Compliance, risk and resource stewardship

• Ensure compliance with Jhpiego and JHU policies, donor rules, award terms and applicable Nigerian laws, including payroll, tax, VAT, registration and permit obligations.
• Coordinate donor, statutory, internal and external audits; track findings and corrective actions through closure.
• Promote ethical conduct, segregation of duties, confidentiality and prevention of fraud and conflicts of interest.
• Analyse expenditure, pricing, unit costs, procurement outcomes and construction costs to improve efficiency and value for money.
• Support sustainable financial planning, local capacity strengthening and appropriate use of government systems.
• Oversee effort reporting, travel and expense reporting, consultant payments, insurance, office-cost allocation and related operational services.
• Build a collaborative team culture through clear accountability, fair supervision, delegation, feedback and professional development.

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field; a recognised professional accounting qualification is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible finance-management, grant and compliance experience, including significant donor-funded or U.S. Government-funded programme experience.
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, reporting, cash-flow management, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls and audit management.
• Experience managing complex donor awards, including specialised areas such as construction and other special conditions.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government cost principles, donor compliance, generally accepted accounting practices, grants and contracts, and local statutory requirements.
• Experience managing sub-award financial arrangements and strengthening partner financial and compliance capacity.
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; QuickBooks or comparable accounting software experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical, organisational, interpersonal, written, oral, facilitation, negotiation and presentation skills in English. Nigerian-language proficiency is an advantage.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgement, work independently and collaboratively, and travel domestically and internationally as required.

The role also requires strategic financial leadership, integrity, accountability, risk-based decision-making, contract governance, cross-functional leadership, staff development and strong attention to detail.