Apply: Plan International Grants Accountant

By Development Diaries
July 22, 2021

Deadline: 28 July, 2021

Location: Accra, Ghana

Plan International is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the post of Grants Accountant.

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

Responsibilities

Develop proposal budgets and budget narratives in collaboration with country office finance, grant and programme staff, including modifications
Maintain a budgetary control system to monitor grant budget versus expenditure, and advise management on variances and corrective actions required to be taken
Support the development of country office annual budgets based on grant portfolio projections and subsequent modification
Over the course of grant implementation, monitor and alert programme and finance teams of potential award compliance issues, re-budgeting needs, and spending trajectories to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget
Maintain official archive of donor correspondence, donor reports, grant agreements, modifications, and budgets
Work with programme and grant teams to facilitate the process of onboarding new projects to ensure internal controls and donor compliance systems are established and followed
Coordinate with internal and external auditors for grant specific audits and country audit as a whole
Assist the country finance manager in the preparation and coordination of schedules for grant audit
Communicate with donors regarding audit findings, and prepare audit action lists for grant audits and follow up on implementation
Present regular updates on grant audit action lists
Participate in the design and implementation of internal controls, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Lead in financial accountability and reporting for grants in a timely manner to ensure compliance to Plan International’s policies and donor regulations
Review implementing partners and other engagement agreements’ and ensure compliance with Plan International and donor’s policy
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual internal and external financial, budgetary and accounting reports of considerable complexity requiring independent judgment, initiative, and extensive knowledge of the organisation, accounting, and policies and procedures as may be required on the specific grant
Ensure periodic review of payments charged to grants for conformity to budget, and calculate and ensure cost recovery is carried out appropriately
Oversee cash management of all grants, including preparation of requests for funds from donor/grantor agencies
Monitor funding requirements for donor-specific bank accounts and liaise with the country finance manager and business development manager to ensure availability of adequate funds to meet forecast expenditure requirements
Lead in financial capacity assessment of potential partners prior to any partnership and conduct regular assessments of existing partnerships
Train finance and programmes staff on grant regulations and Plan International’s policies and procedures
Perform grant capacity assessment of partner finance staff, and develop training and development plans
Regularly, and occasionally on short notice, travel to partner offices to train staff, provide support, conduct audits and evaluate compliance with country laws as well as organisation policies and procedures
Ensure correct grants master data setup in SAP for funding bundle agreements and sponsorship project funding approval documents
Ensure periodic budget realignment in SAP based on project modifications
Run cost apportionment on a monthly basis in SAP
Ensure general grants management and monitoring in SAP
Fulfil Plan International’s child protection policy at all times, protecting children from all forms of abuse
Ensure adherence to the country’s grant financial and accounting requirements as per requirements of the grants management document and other organisational policies and procedures to support sound financial management for grant-related projects within the organisation
Analyse financial issues for decision making and refer to a higher manager for approval
Ensure the principles and guidelines on the new Global Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse is fully embedded
Ensure all concerned persons of a community where Plan International works and/or programme participants know how to and feel safe and empowered to report any concerns, allegations or suspicions of sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse and the report is taking seriously
Create and strengthen the capacity of all staff, associates and visitors to prevent and respond in a timely, effective, safe, comprehensive and confidential manner to all complaints, allegations and incidents

Requirements

University degree in Accounting or equivalent
Five years, minimum, of experience in a similar role
Fair knowledge of grants and project management
Ability to facilitate participative processes for all stakeholders for implementing grant projects
Good computer skills including proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets and the use of accounting package
Good communication skills (oral and written)

To apply and for more information, click here.