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Background The Health Services Improvement Program (HSIP) Trust Account supports targeted investments aimed at strengthening health sector governance, accountability, institutional performance, and service delivery across national and provincial levels. Increasing donor reporting requirements, ongoing governance strengthening efforts, and implementation of Implementing Partner Capacity Assessment (IPCA) corrective actions require strengthened coordination, compliance follow-up, implementation monitoring, and maintenance of audit-ready documentation systems. Under the supervision of the Program Management Officer at the WHO Country Office, the individual engaged under this Agreement will provide technical and operational support to the Health Services Improvement Program (HSIP), to support governance, coordination, compliance monitoring, audit readiness, and implementation follow-up activities under the HSIP Trust Account. The SSA will work closely with the HSIP Financial Controller and contribute to strengthening documentation, reporting, tracking, evidence management, and accountability mechanisms to support the timely and effective implementation of HSIP Trust Account priorities. The SSA will carry out specific duties as follows:
Objective of the Position
To provide technical and operational support to the Health Services Improvement Program (HSIP) Trust Account by strengthening financial coordination, implementation monitoring, compliance, Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) management, audit readiness, and documentation systems. The position supports effective financial management, accountability, governance, and timely implementation of HSIP activities through coordination with the National Department of Health (NDOH), Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), WHO technical teams, and other stakeholders.
Summary of Assigned Duties
Under the direct supervision of the HISP Controller, and the technical oversight of the WHO Country Office PNG as the contracting authority, the SSA Officer will carry out the following duties across four integrated functional domains:
- Lead the monitoring of HSIP Trust Account implementation, including fund utilization, adherence to reporting timelines, and compliance with supporting documentation requirements.
- Follow up on Implementing Partner Capacity Assessment (IPCA) corrective actions and related documentation requirements at the provincial level.
- Identify specific tasks related to the recommendation and implementation.
- Respond to routine financial and administrative queries from provincial offices and relevant stakeholders, and refer complex or escalated issues to the HSIP Financial Controller as appropriate.
- Coordinate other programmatic, operational, and administrative activities as needed to support effective HSIP implementation.
DFC related
- Oversee the processing and follow-up of Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) agreements and related documentation to facilitate the timely release of funds for approved activities.
- Coordinate with WHO programme teams and secretaries on FACE Forms and DFC-related documentation to ensure efficient workflow and timely processing of transactions.
- Maintain and monitor WHO-to-HSIP fund transfer documentation and track fund availability for national and provincial activities.
- Follow up with relevant NDOH technical units and provincial teams on the submission of program and technical reports in line with agreed timelines.
- Manage the processing of receipts and maintain accurate transaction records in IFMS and related tracking tools, ensuring entries are complete and submitted for approval on time.
- Maintain an organized and up-to-date dashboard for DFC, provincial transactions, and supporting documentation to facilitate reporting, reconciliation, and audit readiness.
Assurance activity
- Coordinate on-site monitoring visits and spot-checks at the provincial and PHA levels for activities funded through the DFC mechanism, assessing fund utilization and compliance with programme requirements.
- Contribute to provincial monitoring and review activities related to development partner-supported funds, documenting findings and tracking agreed follow-up actions.
Capacity building
- Provide technical guidance to provinces and PHAs to strengthen documentation, reporting, and filing practices in line with WHO and donor requirements.
Expected Outputs
- Timely monitoring and follow-up of HSIP Trust Account implementation, including fund utilization, reporting timelines, and compliance with financial and supporting documentation requirements.
- DFC agreements, FACE Forms, receipts, fund transfers, and related financial documentation are processed, tracked, and maintained accurately and in accordance with WHO procedures.
- Up-to-date tracking systems and dashboards are maintained for DFC implementation, provincial financial transactions, reporting status, and supporting documentation.
- Implementing Partner Capacity Assessment (IPCA) corrective actions related to financial management and provincial implementation are monitored, with timely follow-up and documentation of progress.
- Technical, financial, and program reports from NDOH technical units and Provincial Health Authorities are tracked, received, and maintained in line with agreed reporting schedules.
- Provincial assurance activities, monitoring visits, and spot-checks are supported, with findings documented and follow-up actions tracked to completion.
- Audit-ready financial and program documentation is maintained through organized filing systems and complete supporting evidence.
- Provincial teams receive practical guidance to strengthen financial documentation, reporting quality, compliance, and accountability.
- Routine financial and administrative queries are addressed promptly, with issues requiring further action escalated appropriately.
- Assigned financial, operational, and administrative activities are completed within agreed timelines, contributing to the effective implementation and governance of the HSIP Trust Account.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Degree (Bachelor’s) in Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
Desirable: Master’s degree in Program Management, Business Administration, or related field, Membership in a relevant Professional Body, e.g., PNG CPA
Experience
Essential: Minimum of three years of work experience relevant for the position (leading and performing a wide range of Program Management, administrative and Finance services.
Experience working and supporting government institutions, development partners, UN agencies, NGOs or donor funding programs.
Experience supporting audit readiness, compliance, and implementing financial monitoring.
Desirable: Experience with WHO/United Nations or other international organization. Good knowledge of program management and end-to-end business processes. Experience in project management, ideally in the United Nations System and/or a public health context. Good knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems. Experience working with NDOH and other Government institutions.
Familiarity with donor reporting requirements, implementation monitoring, and accountability frameworks is desirable.
Experience supporting program implementation at national and sub-national/provincial levels is an advantage.
Skills and Knowledge
Strong organizational, coordination, and time management skills.
Ability to monitor implementation progress and follow up on multiple actions simultaneously.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain organized documentation and evidence management systems.
Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, WHO teams, and other stakeholders.
Knowledge of administrative, financial, and management principles, procedures, and policies of large, international, public-sector organizations.
Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of administration and program management.
Demonstrated ability to analyze financial and administrative data and provide related recommendations.
Ability to maintain excellent interpersonal working relations.
Languages
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
Duty Station / Location
The position will be based in the HSIP office at the National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Travel Requirements
The assignment is primarily office-based. The SSA Officer may be required to travel within Port Moresby and to provinces for training delivery, stakeholder engagement, and PHA supervision activities. International travel may be required for WHO training or reporting obligations as applicable.
Remuneration and Duration
The monthly remuneration for this position is PGK 8 697.50 payable monthly.
The assignment is expected to run for a total of twelve (12) months, with a six-month initial probation from the date of contract signing, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
