Government-to-Government Risk Management Specialist

Government-to-Government Risk Management Specialist

The Department of State, through the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), is developing government-to-government (G2G) mechanisms to strengthen health capacity and advance development objectives. G2G approaches enable direct collaboration between U.S. Government agencies and host government counterparts, fostering local ownership, sustainability, and institutional strengthening. G2G assistance relies on a partner government's systems and institutions for implementation. Using partner government's systems and institutions in implementing development assistance involves a degree of risk that requires additional due diligence to assess the threats and opportunities of such systems and institutions.

The G2G Risk Management Specialist directs and oversees Ministry-level risk assessments in their assigned country/countries, and ensures the engagements are executed with technical precision, standardized evidence, and the strategic oversight necessary to meet GHSD's country-specific deadlines. The Specialist serves as a vital bridge between the Foreign Assistance Africa Financial Management Hub (Pretoria), country-level audit firms executing the assessments, and the country-based GHSD team.

Objectives:

*Direct the performance of multiple, concurrent G2G Ministry-level (Stage 2) Risk Assessments in the country.
*Provide on-site or virtual guidance and direction to the Contractor assessment team to finalize the scope of each risk assessment, draft the risk assessment report, prepare risk mitigation plans for COM approval, and monitor the implementation of the financial management aspects of the G2G activity, including corrective actions on the risk mitigation plan.
*Ensure the appropriate use of applicable standardized G2G tools and templates for the planning, field work and reporting stages of Ministry-level risk assessments.
*Participate in country-level Fiduciary Oversight, Risk Management Support and Measurement, Evaluation and Learning activities.
*Prepare memos, reports, presentations or other analyses for GHSD and the Pretoria Finance Hub director to support the design, implementation and oversight of G2G in the assigned country.
*Perform other duties assigned by GHSD or Pretoria Finance Hub director to support the design, implementation and oversight of G2G in assigned country.

Scope of Services

The Specialist will be a member of the G2G Risk Management Core Team within the Foreign Assistance Africa Financial Management hub, Pretoria:

GHSD G2G Guidance and Policies.

The Specialist shall:

*Participate in preparation of key State Dept./GHSD Framework documents on G2G, including Overall Guidance, G2G Risk Management and Implementation Guide, Risk Appetite Statement, G2G Risk Assessment Process Flowchart, Standard Operating Procedures, and other documents as may be required by GHSD.
*Develop standard templates, including workpaper templates, quality assurance checklists and Risk Assessment report templates.
*Develop standardized risk assessment tools and instruments, including questionnaires and risk assessment methodology checklists.
*Collaborate with CGFS and the Foreign Assistance Africa Finance hub payments team to establish SOPs and payment process workflows for G2G disbursements to partner government implementing entities. The payments will include milestone payments, advances and cost reimbursements, including a workable.
*Collaborate with relevant State department stakeholders to establish guidelines for the annual audit of G2G awards, consistent with GHSD G2G policies.

G2G Risk Assessment (Planning Phase)

The Specialist shall:

*Directly oversee the in-country Contractor assessment team in performing all G2G risk assessments in the country.
*Work with the in-country GHSD Risk Management specialist and the assessment team to revise, update and validate the Scope of Work for each G2G risk assessment for approval by the GHSD/Foreign Assistance Africa Finance Hub Director
*Ensure that the scope of each risk assessment is tailored to and supports the G2G activity and avoids scope creep (a focused scope will maximize time efficiency, reduce costs, and is crucial to executing a successful and efficient risk assessment).
*Guide the assessment team to identify and build on existing assessments completed by other USG actors, donors, or stakeholders (if these are relevant and up-to-date, and there have been no major changes in the government's systems and institutions since the assessments were conducted).
*Hold a post-award meeting with the successful CPA firm bidder in the assigned country.

G2G Risk Assessment (Field Work Phase)

The Specialist shall:

*Guide, direct and support to assessment teams and during fieldwork.
*Liaise with Embassy teams, host country government counterparts and other stakeholders to identify and eliminate any barriers to timely, efficient and successful completion of all planned risk assessments.
*Provide quality assurance on assessment engagement by ensuring consistent interpretation and application of GHSD Risk Assessment guidance.
*Track fieldwork progress to support timely completion of assigned assessments.
*Review interim and final working papers from the assessment team to confirm adequacy of nature, timing and extent of assessment procedures, including tests performed.

G2G Risk Assessment (Reporting Phase)

The Specialist shall:

*Serve as a liaison between U.S. Government and host country counterparts to finalize all risk assessment reports and Risk Mitigation plans, resolve issues and address any challenges during the reporting phase.
*Review deliverables and weekly reports from each assigned risk assessment to ensure quality and compliance with approved GHSD templates; secure approval of GHSD & Pretoria Finance hub.
*Participate in developing comprehensive risk mitigation and corrective action plans tailored to address identified weaknesses in financial management, internal controls, and compliance processes.
*Review draft and final country risk assessment reports and Risk mitigation plans; secure approval of GHSD & Pretoria Finance hub.
*Support Embassy GHSD team to secure Chief of Mission approval on the Risk Mitigation plan.

G2G Implementation Support and PFM systems strengthening

The Specialist shall:

*Stay informed about host country PFM reform efforts and support PFM strengthening activities funded by USG and/or other donors
*Support development of host government-led processes and systems that contribute to the successful implementation of the G2G award.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

The Specialist shall:

*Establish and manage effective working relationships with audit firm executing the risk assessment (s), GHSD, the G2G Risk Management Core team (Pretoria) and Embassy staff.
*Provide regular updates to GHSD, Embassy leadership and Pretoria Finance hub on risk assessment findings, mitigation progress, and any critical issues requiring immediate attention.
*Manage stakeholder expectations and maintain transparent communication
*Successfully navigate political sensitivities and institutional dynamics

Training and Knowledge Management

The Specialist shall:

*Deliver training sessions (remote and/or in-person) to State department employees, host government implementing agencies, and third-party firms supporting G2G.
*Maintain a repository of G2G guidance materials and toolkits
*Facilitate knowledge transfer and peer learning among government agencies.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

*A bachelor's degree in accounting, Business Administration, Audit, Economics, or relevant field is required.
*A Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor or the country equivalent (CPA/ACA/ACCA) is required.

Experience:

*Minimum of seven (7) years' professional experience in accounting, Audit or financial management.
*Minimum of five (2) years of demonstrated experience in fiduciary risk/internal control assessments or internal audits in required.
*Demonstrated experience with G2G mechanisms, public sector strengthening, or institutional capacity development.
*Minimum 3 years of experience in international development.

Technical Knowledge:

The Consultant must possess knowledge of:

*U.S. professional accounting (GAAP) and auditing (GAGAS/Yellow Book) principles and standards.
*OMB Circular A-123 (Management's Responsibility for Internal Control) and COSO Internal Control Framework.
*Fiduciary risk assessments, financial oversight, risk management, internal controls, internal audit, and organizational capacity assessments.
*Donor-Host Government direct funding arrangements, implementation practices, oversight, reporting and compliance practices.
*Public Financial Management (PFM) systems strengthening and institutional capacity building.
*Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Skills and Abilities:

*Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and execute work under tight timelines and high-pressure environments.
*Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), with demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with partner government officials, U.S. Embassy leadership, Grantees and U.S.G. staff across all employment categories and levels.
*Strong skills in interpreting and applying risk management concepts and internal control framework to perform rigorous, evidence-based analyses.
*Strong leadership, decision-making, team management, and coaching skills.
*Excellent ability to independently oversee multiple, concurrent and complex assessments.
*Ability to translate risk findings into practical risk mitigation measures and corrective action plans.
*Ability to operate with high professional integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
*Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred:

*Experience in Africa
*Language proficiency in local language

Travel Requirements:

*The consultant may be required to accompany the assessment team on in-country travels.

Work Schedule:

*Full-time position with flexible hours to accommodate government counterpart schedules
*Occasional evening or weekend work for workshops and events

Supervisor: Charles Egu, Director, Foreign Assistance Africa Financial Management hub, Pretoria.

Key Coordination: Weekly check-ins with the G2G Risk Management Core team in Pretoria.

Position Title: G2G Risk Management Specialist (short term consultant)
Contract Period: 6 months
Level of Effort: 3-6 months
Location: South Africa
Reports To: Charles Egu, Director, Foreign Assistance Africa Finance Hub (Pretoria)
Security Clearance: Facility Access

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*Position contingent on funding availability
*Subject to U.S. Government background check and security requirements
*Compliance with all applicable U.S. and host country laws and regulations
*All work products are property of the U.S. Government
*Confidentiality of sensitive information required
*Equal opportunity employer

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.