Job Description

• Commencement: 1 October 2026

• Work Location: Central Provincial Health Authority (CPHA)

• Duration: Up to 12 months full time

• Open to PNG Citizens Only

About the Program

The Accelerated Immunisation and Health System Strengthening Program, Phase 2 (AIHSS2), is a 4-year program (2024–2027) funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. AIHSS2 supports 14 Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) and Bougainville Department of Health (BDoH)

AIHSS2 has 3 End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) that aim to increase capacity of PHAs/BDoH and improve delivery of essential health services and include:

1. PHAs/BDoH increase vaccination coverage through integrated service delivery in selected provinces and decrease the number of children receiving no vaccines.

2. PHAs/BDoH planning and public financial management (PFM) capabilities and practices are strengthened.

3. PHAs/BDoH embed gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles in routine immunisation to increase equity and reach of routine immunisation in service delivery. direction.

About the Opportunity

This role will assist the Finance Manager to provide general leadership and oversight to the CPHA Finance Unit, working closely with the current team to build capacity and implement system strengthening initiatives as identified through the various audits, PFM Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and spot checks undertaken by the PHA and AIHSS2 PFM specialists and as directed by the Director Corporate Services and the Senior Executive Management (SEM). The role will also provide financial management and advisory support to the HSIP Officer, Finance Manager and more broadly to the Senior Executive Management (SEM) of the PHA.

Key functions of this role include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide support to the management and oversight of the AIHSS2 program funds under the HSIP Trust Account
• Support the PHA in implementing ongoing PFM CAP actions and development of internal policies and procedures where necessary and at the advice or directive of the Director Corporate Services and SEM. eg cash advance, risk management and fraud control.
• Capacity development of existing staff by way of coaching, mentoring and on the job training opportunities.

• Conduct trainings for Fraud and Risk management, budget and expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.

• Ensure PFM, GoPNG General Orders and HSIP principles are applied in all expenditure transactions.

• Maintenance of revenue and expenditure ledgers for AIHSS2 program under the HSIP Account in IFMS and manually.
• Provide support to the Finance Manager and HSIP Officer with the preparation and submission of the monthly expenditure report including transaction listings, quarterly financial reports and cash plan to AIHSS2 and NDoH HSIP Unit.
• Support the Finance Manager and HSIP Officer in ensuring acquittals are provided to AIHSS2 Grant Managers in a timely manner before any further request or release of new funding. Acquittal reports to be provided quarterly as part of the financial report. This support should also extend to other funds being managed in the HSIPTA.

• Provide support to the Finance Manager with the preparation of financial reports for CPHA for Quarterly reviews as and when required.

• Support in the preparation and oversight of monthly reconciliation for the HSIP Account.
• Support in the preparation of PHA annual budget and specific program budgets such as AIHSS2.
• Support the facilitation of planning process and assist in the development of annual plans for the PHA and specific program workplans such as AIHSS2.
• Provide support on the implementation of AIHSS audits and audit recommendations and put in place system improvements per audit findings to improve current financial and accounting processes.
• Provide technical support to the Finance Committees, AIHSS2 Working Group, PEOC Committee and the Board of Governance as directed by the SEM and CEO

All tasks to be undertaken in accordance with best practice and in compliance with the requirements of the relevant laws, regulations, and procedures as per the manual of procedures and regulations governing Financial Management practices in the country

Key responsibilities

TheFinance Technical Officer will be required to carry out a range of financial management and accounting activities as directed by the Director Corporate Services, Director Public Health, SEM and CEOThese duties will include but not necessarily restricted to the following:

1. Provide mentoring and technical support to the Finance Unit of the PHA

   1. Support the Finance Manager and Senior Finance Officer to provide capacity support and on the job training where capacity gaps have been identified at the PHA and District.

   2. Coach, mentor, and train current staff to build capacity within the PHA and suggest areas of improvement or competencies required for improvement. Work closely with the AIHSS2 PFM Specialists to identify and implement specific training based on training gaps identified.

   3. Provide financial advisory/technical support to the Finance Manager, Director Corporate Services, Director Public Health and SEM of CPHA as and when required.
      

2. Provide technical support in the management of PHA HSIP Accounts – In the following:

   1. Cash flow management.

      1. Ensure timely follow up, release and update of tranche payments in HSIP Account. This may also include other sources of revenue.

      2. Track and monitor fund flows in the HSIP Account and ensure expenditure controls are in place to minimise on budget overruns.

      3. Preparation of monthly expenditure reports for Management.

      4. Preparation and oversight of monthly reconciliation for the HSIP Account.

      5. Preparation of quarterly expenditure reports for quarterly performance and budget reviews to identify over/underspend and possible reallocation of funds.

   2. Maintenance of revenue and expenditure ledgers for AIHSS2 project under the HSIP Account in IFMS and manually.

   3. Maintenance of up-to-date records of the HSIP account:

      1. Cashbooks and Expenditure Ledgers

      2. Bank reconciliations

      3. GST reconciliations

   4. Support Finance Manager in ensuring proper records management system in place for all HSIP/AIHSS financial documents and reports.

3. Planning and Budgeting

   1. Provide support to the Finance Unit for timely monthly AIHSS2 expenditure against budget reports to key internal and external stakeholders.

   2. Support the public health team of the PHA in the preparation and development of the immunisation micro plans and AIHSS2 annual budget.
   3. Support the Finance Manager in the facilitation of PHA annual budget and plan.

4. Procurement

5. Assist the PHA in Implementing procurement process improvements in line with PFM requirements and per various audit findings through corrective action plans (CAPs)

6. Fixed Asset

   1. Support the Asset Officer/Finance Unit in ensuring an updated CPHA fixed Asset Register is maintained.

7. Provide Technical Support on Financial Management Reporting

   1. Support in the preparation and provision of monthly expenditure report including transaction listings, quarterly financial reports and cash plan to AIHSS2 Grant Manager and NDoH HSIP Unit.

   2. Ensure acquittals are provided to AIHSS2 Grant Managers in a timely manner before any further request or release of new funding. Acquittal reports to be provided quarterly as part of the financial report.
   3. Support with preparation of financial reports to PHA for Quarterly reviews as and when required.
   4. Provide support to the Finance Manager for other reporting obligations/requirements.

Provide Technical Support to Audit and Risk Management

8. Work with the PHA team to attend to any outstanding AIHSS2 audit issues per previous and current audit findings.

9. Identify and communicate any fraudulent activity to Finance Manager or Director Corporate Services.

10. Prepare PHA for external audit of HSIP account in line with AIHSS grant agreement requirements and/or as directed by PHA.

11. Policy and other Management Support as required.

    1. Support the PHA in developing and implementing PFM policies and procedures where necessary and at the advice/directive of the SEM

    2. Support the PHA by providing training particularly on accounting, procedural and policy matters.

    3. Attend to urgent Financial Management matters as directed and agreed by the SEM.

    4. Support the PHA with the implementation of reviews/PFM spot check actions

Key responsibilities

The Finance Technical Officer will

• Within the first month, develop an annual workplan in consultation with stakeholders (CPHA/AIHSS2) on key deliverables and timeframe as demonstrated by an approved annual workplan in place.

• Provide effective financial account management and support to CPHA HSIP Account as demonstrated by the effective management of the end-to-end accounts process (revenue & expenditure control and tracking) and the provision of timely quality financial and management reports.

• Support the AIHSS2 Working Group/PEOC of CPHA with Facilitation of AIHSS2 annual budget and planning process for the PHA. This also applies to various program budgets and submissions outside of the annual budget process eg: Donor funds (HSIP), PSIP, DSIP etc.

• Strengthen Financial Management Reporting Process for the PHA as demonstrated by the submission of timely quality financial reports that meet the requirements of all stakeholders.

• Support in the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective action plans (CAPs) to strengthen financial management system: as demonstrated by the effective and timely completion of deliverables per current audit and corrective action plan documents and tracker leading to improved compliance to appropriate procedures. This also applies to implementation of reviews/PFM spot check actions.

• Contribute to building staff capacity within Finance Unit: as demonstrated by trainings conducted and on-the job assistance provided via status update reports.

REPORTING

• The Finance Technical Officer will provide high quality monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports on achievement of deliverables against targets to CPHA and AIHSS2.

Key Working Relationships

The Finance Technical Officer will be responsible to the Director Corporate Services on a day-to-day basis on operational matters with some program reporting responsibilities (monthly) to the AIHSS2 PFM Specialists and Planning Advisor.

The Finance Technical Officer will maintain professional working relationships with:

• Finance Manager in CPHA
• HSIP Officer in PHA
• Finance and Administration officers in PHA
• Grant Manager in PHA (once in place)
• Director Public Health in PHA
• The Senior Executive Management of PHA
• Commercial bank and suppliers
• Key central government agencies including NDoH HSIP, DoF, DoT
• Program-specific staff i.e EPSHSIP team and AIHSS2 team.
  

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in accounting, business management or related discipline. CPA qualifications would be advantageous.

• Minimum of 3 - 5 years’ in a senior finance management or advisory role; eexperience in the Health Sector, Provincial Health Authority or implementing partners in the health sector would be highly regarded.

• Good understanding and comprehensive working knowledge of the GoPNG financial system including PFM policies, procedures, and processes. (From planning and budgeting through to financial reporting)

• Good written communication with demonstrated experience in preparing high quality financial and management reports for various stakeholders including but not limited to the senior management, board, development partners and Gov’t agencies.

• Comprehensive working knowledge of Microsoft excel with demonstrated analytical skills and use of financial reporting tools.

• Working knowledge of GoPNG Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) will be advantageous.

• Effective time management, with proven delivery of activities and reports on schedule

• Experience in working with gender-based health programs and initiatives to support role of women will be highly regarded

Personal Attributes

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence and build team cohesion to achieve common goals and objectives of the Department and Organization.

• Demonstrates high level of commitment, good team builder and maintains sound professional behaviour.

• Team player with demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to build network and work collaboratively as part of an effective team

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

• Promotes Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.

• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.

• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

• Applicants must attach a valid Police Clearance Certificate obtained within 12 months from date their application is submitted.

We welcome and thank all applications; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Friday, 4 September 2026 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities.