The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a global public/private partnership dedicated to raising and disbursing large amounts of finance to prevent and treat the three pandemics.  The Global Fund has so far committed more than US$10 billion to over 524 programs in 136 countries.

The vacancy is in the Secretariat of the Global Fund. The Secretariat manages the grant portfolio, including executing Board policies, disbursing money to grant recipients and implementing performance-based funding of grants. The Secretariat is also tasked with resource mobilization; providing strategic, policy, financial, legal and administrative support and overseeing monitoring and evaluation. It is based in Geneva and has no staff located outside its headquarters. 

Building upon the success achieved so far, the Global Fund is adapting its structure and creating new management positions to meet the challenges of growth and expansion in the period 2008-2010.

The Global Fund is looking for staff with a strong commitment to health and development, an open mind-set, an entrepreneurial and flexible attitude as well as strong interpersonal skills. 

Job Purpose Summary
& Reporting Relationships

The Finance Unit is located within the Finance and Pharmaceutical Procurement Cluster which is responsible for the Global Fund’s finance and related functions as well as pharmaceutical procurement and, subject to Board approval, may host the Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria (AMFm) Unit.  The Finance, Pharmaceutical Procurement Services, and potentially the AMFm, Units will each be led by a Unit Director.

The Unit Director reports to the Director of the Finance and Pharmaceutical Procurement Cluster and is responsible for the management of the Global Fund’s Finance Unit.  The Global Fund is the largest multilateral donor for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and the Finance Unit is presently poised for significant growth with annual grant disbursements set to exceed US$2 billion in 2008, and continue to increase through to 2010. 

Key Responsibilities,
Accountabilities and Duties.

The Unit Director will provide technical expertise, leadership and management of the Global Fund’s work in areas of responsibility and will:

Lead the ongoing development and implementation of financial strategies to meet the evolving needs of the Global Fund, and provide oversight of the world-class financial systems and processes that support the organization’s core business;

Lead the development of best practice financial strategies in line with challenging Global Fund requirements;

Provide value-adding finance input throughout the grant management process;

Provide the required financial information in support of Board decisions;

Ensure that the Global Fund’s accounting records are kept up-to-date and in compliance with all applicable statutory obligations; and that financial statements are compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards;

Ensure that the organization-wide budget compilation process, i.e. preparation of the annual financial statements and their external audit, is undertaken effectively;

In collaboration with Resource Mobilization and Communications Units, ensure that updated projections of grant funding needs and resources are maintained to support fund-raising, including replenishment, and information needs of the Board, donors and other stakeholders;

Ensure that internal control systems are maintained and adhered to;

Participate in the development and maintenance of the Global Fund’s Risk Management Framework;

Manage the Global Fund’s relationship with the Trustee, bankers and external auditors;

Act as the Secretariat focal point to the Finance and Audit Committee;

Participate in Secretariat governance panels as required; and

Ensure that grant disbursements are reviewed for final clearance.

As a senior manager within the organization, the Unit Director will:

Contribute to organization-wide development through active participation in cross-Cluster/Unit working groups and projects;

Participate as a key member in the Cluster’s management team and take-on Cluster-wide initiatives; actively promote cross-Unit collaboration and team-working; and

Represent the Director, Finance and Pharmaceutical Procurement Cluster as appropriate, in high level meetings.

In providing strategic management and leadership to the Finance Unit, the Unit Director will:

Translate the Cluster’s strategic vision into an operational plan for the Unit that is aligned with Cluster objectives and Global Fund goals that include well defined activities, milestones and performance indicators;

Provide technical and managerial leadership in the implementation of the Unit’s operational plan to achieve the targeted outcomes;

Provide technical and strategic leadership to Unit staff, ensuring the attainment of expected outcomes as well as the continued development of the Unit’s staff members;

Manage the Unit’s budgetary resources based on agreed Cluster needs and priorities; and

Oversee, co-ordinate and monitor the work of the Unit teams to ensure Unit cost-effectiveness and performance against results.

Academic Qualifications
(essential/desirable)

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification with the designation of CA, FCA, CPA or equivalent.

Desirable

• Post graduate training in financial management, or in public or business administration.

Experience
(essential/desirable)

Essential

• Extensive senior experience of financial management in an international enterprise;
• Extensive experience in the management and delivery of complex financial/accounting services, including responsibility for developing financial policy and strategy; and
• Experience in managing staff from diverse backgrounds.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the financial/accounting policies/practices of the not-for-profit sector and grant-making institutions;
• Experience in health and/or international development;
• Previous experience in the implementation of new financial/IT/administration systems; and
• Knowledge of three pandemics: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

• Ability to work effectively with financial/accounting systems at all levels of complexity;
• Sound knowledge of financial planning and modelling techniques and relevant IT tools;
• Strong capability in all aspects of financial management, reporting and financial risk management; and
• Leadership and management capabilities leading diverse teams in relevant area.

• Sound decision making:  Ability to identify alternatives or options in planning and decision making whilst weighing up the risks for the organization;
• Communicating effectively:  Use appropriate communication techniques effectively both verbally and in writing to communicate at all levels up to Board level;
• Developing own and staff capability, encouraging diversity and fostering teamwork; and
• Results-oriented:  Ability to structure and prioritise individuals’ and the Unit’s objectives against organizational goals. 

Languages
(essential/desirable)

An excellent knowledge of English and preferably a good working knowledge of French or one of the following: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.  Knowledge of other languages an asset.

A covering letter not exceeding one and one half pages must accompany all applications. The letter should describe your ability to meet the essential requirements set out in the vacancy notice.

THE GLOBAL FUND HAS RETAINED RUSSELL REYNOLDS ASSOCIATES TO ASSIST WITH THIS APPOINTMENT. FOR MORE DETAILS ON QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND HOW TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.RRAPUBLICSECTOR.COM

The position will have an attractive, internationally competitive compensation package equivalent to a director level position in accordance with the WHO/UN salary scales; the final remuneration level to be determined in accordance with the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.

The current arrangement under which Global Fund Secretariat employees have the status of WHO staff will terminate on 31 December 2008.  After that date, all staff of the Global Fund will be covered under a new contractual arrangement directly with the Global Fund.