Country Finance Manager 90 views0 applications

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity.

We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. In Zimbabwe, we have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 31 years. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity.

Country Finance Manager

Location – Harare Country Office

                                                                         

Reporting to the Country Director, the Country Finance Manager is responsible for  supervision of the development and implementation of appropriate financial management framework to support the realization of the organization’s strategic objectives; prepare financial statements for presentation to Country Leadership Team (CLT) and  undertake business planning processes to ensure cash flow forecasting, budgeting, management to sustain Plan objectives; and build capacity among the team to strengthen supervision by finance work with management to build a culture of values and transparency in finance.

Accountabilities:

Strategy, Policy and Planning (25%) 

• Supervise the development and implementation of appropriate financial management framework to support the realization of the organization’s strategic objectives;
• Create and revise systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems, forms control, and budgetary and staff requirements;
• Oversee and lead budgeting and planning process with CLT and reviews all financial plans and budgets;

Grant Management and Budgeting (15%)

• Review and update of proposal budgets and project risks as required
• Review of donor reports for compliance and donor agreements
• Ensure timely review of financial requests, transactions and payments to sub grantees/partners.
• Attend to donor queries and concerns on financial issues
• Monitor grants budgets and expenditure, Provide periodical financial reports to management, Country Office and Donors.
• Coordinate Annual Planning and Budgeting for approval by Regional and Global Hub including grant proposals
• Communicate to management annual and quarterly funding budget

Financial Statement Management (15%)

• Prepare financial statements for presentation to CLT
• Undertake business planning processes to ensure cash flow forecasting, budgeting, management to sustain Plan objectives
• Cash Management process, monitor staff and Partner advances, ensure compliance with regulatory entities and bodies, coordinating with relevant business stakeholders at Banks, Regional and Global Hub

Financial Management, Audits & Reporting (20%)

• Provide timely financial management advisory to management team for decision making purposes
• Ensure that Partners reports are received timely and consolidated in the financial reports
• Review Grants reports, year-end schedules and financial reports submissions
• Prepare and submit audit documentation to both internal and external project and year end audits.
• Reviewing Monthly Payroll and manage payroll administration, cash flow and forecasting;
• Provide leadership on the maintenance of Accounting records in accordance with international and national Accounting Standards and Financial Regulations;
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaises with audit and compliance units, CLT and external auditors;
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collates financial reporting materials for all stakeholders and oversees all financial project/program accounting.

Financial Control & Risk Management (15%)

• Implement annual internal and external audit recommendations
• Build capacity among the Finance team to strengthen supervision by finance Work with management to build a culture of values and transparency in finance.
• Conduct financial review of Subgrantees to ensure compliance with donors’ rules and regulations and Plan policies.
• Provide guidance and develop new tools and systems to strengthen financial controls and risk management
• Assist auditors by facilitating audits including project audits and review audit reports.
• Prepare audit responses to be reviewed by CLT
• Identify Key finance related risks and develop actions to mitigate the risks through the system.
• Promote compliance with Plan International Zimbabwe and donor requirements and regulations in project implementation.

Capacity Building and People Management (10%)

• Supervise and manage performance of finance staff and maintain discipline in the Finance Department
• Manage Finance system professionally, train new Finance staff in the usage of the system and maintain protocols of authorisation and access levels
• Provide training, mentorship and coaching to the finance team and other staff as per identified gaps from the performance agreement/reviews
• Support the implementation of finance staff learning and development initiatives aligned to performance agreements/reviews
• Ensure that finance objectives are accomplished appropriately and in a timely manner

LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

      LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International’s purpose.
• Set high standards for self and others’ behaviour, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
• Hold self and others to account for what we have agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively.
• Create a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do.
• Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Motivate and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential.
• Positive about change and supporting others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Understand relevant sectoral context including how the sector operates in terms of funding and governance and awareness of Plan’s purpose, values, and global strategy
• Manage legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security
• Manage activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Manage people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills

Child Protection & gender equality mainstreaming

Promotes and abides by Plan policies and procedures including but not limited to:  Gender equality mainstreaming, Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and the related mandatory reporting responsibilities.

Knowledge:

• A degree in Accounting plus a professional accounting qualification such as CIS, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• A post graduate qualification is desirable
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience  in a similar strategic management role
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, Control standards and Risk management techniques and the reporting requirements of major international grant donors
• Knowledge of the INGO sector and the financial management issues specific to the sector

Qualifications/ Experience desirable:

• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
• Ability to plan and prepare the strategy and all budget requirements for the operational environment;
• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism.
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management
• Maintain good inter-team communications and engender good team dynamics
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work in multi-national, multi-cultural teams
• Strong finance relations background and experience working with banks.

 TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

  Knowledge:

• Understanding theories of financial markets and financial flows (including remittances), their development, and application of methods and approaches to assess their inclusiveness
• Understanding and applying key concepts and approaches for financial inclusion of vulnerable and excluded young people and particularly young women
• Understanding the microfinance sector and linkages/differences with the formal banking and informal savings systems, the risks, opportunities and pathways for young people of different gender identities to engage with these
• Identifying and designing useful and affordable financial products and services that meet the needs of vulnerable and excluded young people including transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance, delivered in a gender responsive and sustainable
• In-depth knowledge of the application of savings methodology and its adaptation for vulnerable and excluded young people as well as for other purposes than for accumulating savings
• Knowledge of key concepts and application of approaches to digitalising savings, transfers and payments
• Application of a range of tools and methodologies to assess household/ individual/ child /youth economic security

Skills:

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyse and prioritise information from many different sources,
• Ability to identify, analyze and monitor diverse, relevant external actors to work with and understand the purpose and implications of working with them.
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Plan work, anticipate risks, and set goals within area of responsibility
• Team player with problem solving skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong team player and motivational skills
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills

Behaviors:

• Ability to build collaborative working relationships and to influence
• Uses creativity to challenge the norm and promote innovation and thinks and acts for the wider organization – linking partnership opportunities with the context of the wider organizational strategy
• Communicates effectively at a high level and with a range of appropriate styles for different audiences
• Build capability through knowledge sharing, networking, mentoring, coaching and advocates the importance of knowledge management

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. Plan International takes very seriously the responsibility and duty to ensure that we and anyone who represents us does not in any way harm or place at risk children and young people. In this regard, reference & background checks will be performed including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan’s Safeguarding Policy.

This position is open to Zimbabwean nationals

Location: Zimbabwe (Harare)

Type of role: Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date : 3 December 2021