Public Financial Management (PFM) Senior Advisor

About Us

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.

Job Description

Opportunity

Abt Associates seeks a qualified Public Financial Management (PFM) Senior Advisor to join the International Health Division on the Supporting an Aids Free Era (SAFE) project in Zambia. The USAID-funded SAFE project is led by John Snow International (JSI) and Abt Associates is a sub-contractor. On this project, Abt Associates is responsible for activities involving capacity development in public financial management systems strengthening. The project is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Finance (MoF) and sub-national level to strengthen public financial management systems, particularly in the use of Microsoft Dynamics NAV (NAV) in effort to improve accountability and transparency in budget execution. This, in turn, will impact SAFE’s main objective: to reduce HIV mortality, morbidity and transmission, while improving nutrition outcomes and family planning integration.

The Public Financial Management Senior Advisor will provide leadership of project public financial management strengthening strategies and activities. This will be the most senior Abt position on the project. As such the PFM Senior Advisor will also be responsible for coordinating with the prime – JSI – and coordinating with other Abt projects in Zambia as needed.

Reporting & Accountability

Dual reporting to : Deputy Chief of Party (JSI) & Zambia SAFE Project Manager at Abt Associates Home Office

Accountable to : Zambia SAFE Project Manager at Abt Associates Home Office

Key Roles And Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing capacity building in the areas of public sector accounting and financial management systems.
• Analyze financial management processes and performance in the areas of reporting, procurement, accounting, internal control and audit
• Implement anti-corruption systems and measures
• Lead implementation of Abt Associates’ project work plan activities
• Work towards meeting project PFM targets (per Abt’s contract with the prime)
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection on project targets
• Oversee two provincial Public Financial Management Specialists and a national level Financial Systems Analyst for NAV.
• Oversee writing and submission of deliverables to JSI including quarterly reports.
• Provide overall coordination of SAFE PFM activities at the central and provincial levels with MOH, MOF and Partners.
• Respond to USAID requests on project objective 9 in coordination with JSI team mates
• Oversee improved implementation of NAV in particularly in Central and Copperbelt Provinces
• Work with appropriate MoH leaders to support consistent and accurate use of the NAV system including to build understanding of the system benefits.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• At least ten years of experience in public financial management systems, over twelve years of experience preferred
• Member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
• Experience with USAID or other donor-funded programs is highly desirable
• Understanding of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Excellent computer, communications, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to write technical papers and reports
• Excellent networking and work relations with the government and health partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience

Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.