Plan International is a leading girls and children’s rights organization. Plan strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We motivate our people and partners to:
- empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability
- drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face
- work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises, and to overcome adversity
- support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood
Plan operates in 77 countries around the world. It brings its support to millions of children, their families and communities, mainly in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and South America. It implements projects in the Health, Water and Sanitation, Education, Child Protection, Sustainable Livelihood, and cross-cultural communication. Child sponsorship forms the basis of our work with children. Worth to mention, Plan International global ambition is to support 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive!
As part of its commitment to support Plan International Federation reach 100 million girls so to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive, Plan International Liberia has developed a new country strategy which will for the next five years (2019 to 2024) focus on reaching 600,000 marginalized girls and children all over the country, with a strong commitment to work with partners at various levels to put an end to violence against girls and young women including Child Early Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other norms and practices that hinder their development and empowerment.
Plan International Liberia is committed to ensuring that Child Protection and Youth Safeguarding, Gender Transformative programming and Influencing are key and an integral part of all its work in the country.
Under the EU funded Spotlight initiatives, Plan International Liberia and the UNWOMEN will collaborate to decrease FGM practice by providing FGM traditional practitioners (referred to as zoes) with access to alternative income and empower them to become change agents towards improving the lives of young women and girls in Liberia. The project will directly respond to Activity 3.2.4 Provide alternative economic activities for female Traditional Practitioners and of establish a simple rite of passage program for women and girls without cutting / FGM in the 5 counties as part of the Spotlight Initiative in Liberia. The aim of this Programme is to support the government of Liberia to achieve specific development outcomes relative to strengthening capacities of CSOs to engage communities and FGM practitioners from a human rights based approach using a culturally sensitive methodology; knowledge and skills of 300 FGM practitioners in basic literacy, numeracy and business planning, innovative agriculture best practice that will enable them pursue alternative livelihoods; and Increased support and coordination amongst FGM Practitioners by providing small grant alternative economic livelihood initiatives.
The project will directly respond to Activity 3.2.4 Provide alternative economic activities for female Traditional Practitioners and of establish a simple rite of passage program for women and girls without cutting / FGM in the 5 counties as part of the Spotlight Initiative in Liberia.
The project will employ key strategies, including capacity building using participatory and culturally sensitive methodology focused on community reflection, amplifying the negative outcomes of FGM on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls, linking to girl’s education and community development. An assessment will be carried out to determine existing livelihoods skills and access to market for FGM practitioners. The project will mobilize and organize safe spaces for FGM Practitioners to learn best practices for farming and selling of goods using an innovative and practical approach, at the same time, discussing issues of positive cultural practices. The project will also undertake advocacy related activities. FGM practitioners will be trained in advocacy skills, provide policy briefs, host radio talk shows and support engagement meetings at national and international levels. Small grant funding for FGM practitioners to work in a formal structure and support each other through learning alternative livelihood skills for income generation will be prioritized. Throughout the project implementation, participatory monitoring will be conducted to understand successes and challenges – with a particular focus on lessons learnt during the “pilot phase” implementation in Grand Cape Mount, which will be reviewed for each type of activity before rolling out those same activities in the remaining four project areas (Lofa, Montserrado, Nimba and Grand Gedeh).
The project aims to reach 300 FGM practitioners directly within 55 communities covering the five Spotlight Counties. The project targets per locations are: Grand Cape Mount – 100 practitioners (20 communities), Nimba – 75 practitioners (15 communities), Grand Gedeh County – 25 practitioners (5 communities), Lofa County – 75 practitioners (10 communities) and Montserrado – 25 practitioners (5 communities). This project will build on pervious activities done by Plan International Liberia over the past five years.
Plan International Liberia is committed to building positive social norms on sexuality; to strengthening quality SRHR services that meet the “Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality” framework of the right to health; and to strengthen support for girls and young women most at risk.
Dimensions of the Role
The Project Accountant is responsible for all the grants related financial support functions especially in the areas of business planning, accounting and treasury, financial reporting & analysis and Grants information systems. H/she ensures conformity with Grants reporting requirements and the stringent compliance to standards established by donors/National offices (Fund raising Offices) in agreement with Plan International Liberia for the implementation of Grants funded projects.
Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:
- Business planning process
- Assist in the preparation of the annual grant budget, monitor the impact of operation plans upon existing grants, analyze and advise supervisor/Senior management concerning appropriate actions to be taken.
- Alongside the Project Manager (PM), reviews partners and Plan financial documents and checks to ensure compliance with the Funding Agreement Document (FAD) requirements/processes and ensures any deviations are dealt with appropriately.
- Reviews all grant funded Project Outlines (POs) and PO Modification on quarterly basis alongside with the Project manager to complain to the quarterly KPI before Programme Quality Delivery Manager (PQDM) validation and Country Finance Manager (CFM) approval in order to ensure accuracy of expenses codes and budget availability as per the Project Implementation plan approved with donor/National Office (NO).
- Assist program staff at the time of proposal budget preparation or review.
- Develop grants related cash flow forecasts for individual projects in close collaboration with National Offices.
- Alongside the Project Manager, reviews Grant budget entries and keeps records of budget modifications on file.
- Monitor actual grant expenditures against approved line items on a monthly basis; alert management to any irregularities and make recommendations concerning the re-negotiation or approved grant line items with donor/NO where appropriate.
- Assist in dissemination of grant related information to PUs and partners every month. FAD
- ACCOUNTING AND TREASURY
Responsible to maintain grant & related financial transactions in SAP System and develop on monthly basis the smart list for analysis
- Attach every Grant PO account lines to FAD monthly report before closing the SAP System and work with the Grants team on grants related maintenance issues in the SAP system
- Monitor payment transactions to Related to the Grant as well as Partner advance and liquidation reports for project implementation in SAP System.
- Undertake other accounting functions such as preparation of quarterly, year-end reports, tax related Data, payroll, and filing of documents.
- Ensure compliance with local regulatory and tax legislation
- Provides assistance during audits for accurate, timely and organized audit activities.
- Attends to meetings seminars on grants and relevant information and active participation is given/made.
- Financial reporting and analysis:
- Review accuracy of General Ledger in SAP system associated to all grants (Closed and active) and ensures consistency between grants and programmes
- Use of SAP BI Report and SAP Smart list to track monthly grants expenditure regularly and issues/problems identified are reported to CFM, PM and PQDM appropriate and on time.
- Reconciles Global Hub (GH) grant spent reports with Country reports and issues arising from this are reported/dealt with appropriately.
- Prepare monthly adjustments of the grant indicative funding alongside with the Project Manager on share point.
- Analyse and reconcile grant expenditures Vs budget accurately and on time.
- Prepare and submit donor financial reports on time as per the agreement with donors/s, in collaboration with the Grant team and respective Project Coordinators and Project Managers.
- Ensure that the PQDM, CFM, PM and Country Leadership Team (CLT) are kept informed about the status of all grants lines by preparing a monthly report on the status of the grant.
- Monitors counterpart spending (if applicable) regularly and finance and other records are consistent and problems are reported and resolved accordingly.
- Manages Grants information systems
- Ensures grants information is encoded into the GL and SAP system accurately and as scheduled.
- Attaches Project Account lines to the grant number accurately and on a timely basis.
- Consolidates grant financial reports data and ensures they are properly stored and updated in the information SAP system.
- Reply to inquiries on grant-finance related issues promptly and correctly.
- Stores files and other information related to Grants in an organized manner and are retrieved easily.
- Ensure that Plan’s Safeguarding Children and Young People’s policy and related procedures are adhered to in all aspects of work.
Dealing with Problems:
- Ensure adherence to the country’s grants financial and accounting requirements as per requirements of the donors, and other organizational policies and procedures (Operations Manual (OM) to support sound grants financial management within the organization
- Ability to analyze grant expenditure against budgets for unusual trends
- Ability to draft clear and precise report in responding to grants queries
- A good understanding of donor requirements, Plan financial systems and grants management system for efficiency and compliance
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Must have very good interpersonal relationship with colleagues and supervisors
Communications and Working Relationships:
Internal
- Program Staff – Medium
- Grants team members – High
- PQDM – High
- Country Finance Manager – High
- Country Accountant – High
- Business Analyst – High
- PIIAMs – High
- Admin Manager & Procurement Specialist
- External
- Partners – High
- NOs (Low)
High:
- High contact with the CFM, Grants Team, PQDM and PIIAMs for overall grants financial management and support, and any other as the CFM deem appropriate.
- Maintains high contact with other staff from the grants department as well as administrative one to offer support for compliance with donor finance and accounting procedures
Medium:
- Program staff for specific grants management issue
- Grants team on grants related maintenance issues in the GL/GTS system
- Partners for liquidation management issues
Low: - Donors for GAD specific information as instructed by the Grants team or the CFM
Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Knowledge
Qualification and Experience
- University degree in Accounting/Finance
- At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
- Fair knowledge of project management
- Good experience and knowledge of accounting and grant funds management regulations and procedures;
- Good experience and knowledge on internal financial controls and procedures.
- Good experience in grant reporting requirements and knowledge of Plan’s grant financial systems and procedures.
Skills
- Problem solving skills
- Good team player (ability to work in a team)
- Proficient in Microsoft applications especially excel
- Good communication skills both oral and written
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines
- Ability to train field staff on grants financial management
- Self-starter and innovative
Behaviours
- Independent minded, objective and demonstrate a sense of integrity.
- Organized, methodic and meticulous
- Innovation and willingness to learn at a faster rate
- Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
- Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behavior accordingly
- Tolerant of difference – cultural sensitivity in relation to its impact on HR
- Partner and PU reporting on time
- Monthly feedback on time
- Reporting to grantor on time.
Physical Environment and Demands:
The position holder will work in a typical office environment with his/her colleagues in same office environmentThis position entails 20% traveling within the Program Unit for grant audits and other grant related activities.
Level of Contact with Children:
Low contact- the job responsibilities of this position does not require the post holder to have any one-to-one contact with children on a daily basis. There would be occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.
Plan International’s Values in Practice
We are open and accountable
- Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
- Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
- Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
- Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
- Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact
- Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
- Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
- Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
- Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together
- Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
- Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
- Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
- Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
We are inclusive and empowering
- We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
- We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
- We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.
Location: Monrovia Country Office, frequent travel to the counties
Report to: Country Accountant
Grade: D1
Closing Date: 3rd December 2019
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.
Plan follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.
As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.
More Information
- Job City Monrovia
