GRANTS ACCOUNTANT

The Organisation

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

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

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.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Plan International Ghana is looking to recruit the services of a qualified and experienced professional to perform the role Grants Accountant for the organization.

ABOUT YOU

This position holder will be required to ensure financial accountability for all grants according to Plan and donor requirements. Provide timely and accurate financial information on grants and Act as finance focal person for finance-related grants issues (budgeting, cash flow management, reporting, auditing etc).

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Budgeting and Control

• Develop proposal budgets and budget narratives in collaboration with Country Office finance, grant and program staff, including modifications, ensuring that all projects are fully costed.
• Maintain a budgetary control system to monitor grant budget vs. 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 its subsequent modification.
• Over the course of Grant implementation, monitor and alert program and finance teams of potential award compliance issues, re-budgeting needs, and spending trajectories to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

  Grant closure, Audits and risk management:

  • Maintain official archive of donor correspondence, donor reports, grant agreements, modifications, and budgets.
  • Work with program and grant teams to facilitate the process of on boarding 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 grants Audit.
  • Communicate with donors regarding audit findings and prepare audit action lists for grant audits and follow up on its 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.

    Financial Management and Reporting

    • 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 its compliance with Plan International and donor 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 organization, accounting, and policies and procedures as may be required on the specific grant.
    • Periodic review of payments charged to grants for conformity to budget; calculate and ensure cost recovery is carried out appropriately on all grants.
    • Oversee cash management of all grants, including preparation of requests of funds from donors/grantor agencies. Monitor funding requirements for donor-specific bank accounts and liaises 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 programs 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 and as well as organization policies and procedures

      Grants Financial Set up Compliance

      • Ensure correct Grants Master data set up in SAP for Funding Bundle Agreements (FADs) and Sponsorship Project funding Approval Documents.
      • Periodic budget realignment in SAP based on Project modifications.
      • Run Cost apportionment on a monthly basis in SAP.
      • General Grants Management and monitoring in SAP.

        OTHERS

        Fulfills Plan’s Child Protection Policy at all times to protect children from all forms of abuse.

        KEY RELATIONSHIPS

        • Medium contact with Plan partner organizations to ensure Plan receives value for money and the financial requirements are adhered to.
        • Has high contact with all country office and program unit finance staff also those staff working on grant projects to support smooth implementation of the finance and accounting functions
        • Maintains medium contact with other staff from the program unit and country offices to offer support for compliance with finance and accounting procedures

          TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

          Qualification and Experience

          • University degree in Accounting and ICA Ghana Part 2 or ACCA Foundation (Level 2) or equivalent.
          • At least 5 years experience in a similar role.
          • Good knowledge in grants and project management.

            Demonstrated behaviors needed by the postholder to successfully perform the role:

            • Communicates clearly and effectively
            • Ability to facilitate participative processes for all stakeholders for implementing grant projects
            • Strong team building skills
            • Independence, objectivity and integrity