Senior Grant Accountant

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.

Reporting to the Country Finance Manager, the Senior Grant Accountant will be responsible for providing management support in all aspects of effective financial management ensuring accuracy, transparency, accountability, and compliance in all aspects of Project Specific transactions. The role involves considering the accounting, budgetary and cost implications of operational plans, advising to achieve optimal value for money.

1. Budgeting and Reporting
   • Take lead in the preparing and monitoring of the project budget ensuring that its operations are budgeted for and consolidated.
   • Coordinate the preparation of the annual grant budget, monitor the impact of operation plans upon existing grant, analyses and advise Project Manager and Plan Senior management concerning appropriate actions to be taken.
   • Prepare and submit donor financial reports on time as per the agreement with donor, in collaboration with the Grant Coordinator or Manager and Program Area Support team.
   • Tracks monthly project expenditure and issues/problems regularly and reports to Project Manager, CFM and HOP as appropriate and on time.
   • Review partner budgets to ensure that the sources of information provided is mapped into donor template, project template.
     1. Systems Administration
        • Ensure payment requests from the Project Team are processed in line with PIZ's policies and statutory requirements.
        • Ensure that the SAP system is Updated in a timely manner; clearing all payments in SAP bank according to the financial procedures.
        • Ensure that all the project expenses comply with internal controls and finance operational standards.
        • Manage the project ledgers to ensure that transactions have been done correctly, allocated to the corresponding grant number.
        • Ensure all payables and receivables are correctly posted in the system within the period of occurrence.
        • Reviews project budget entries in SAP and keeps records of budget modifications on file.
        • Coordinate the annual physical asset verifications and ensure the System Asset register is up to date taking in to account Asset Disposals and Asset Acquisitions.
          1. Cash and Bank Account Management
             • Manage the Project bank accounts to ensure sufficient funds are available to support area operations.
             • Initiate the transfer of funds from the donor to the Project Account; ensuring compliance to the cash management and banking policy management.
             • Review and processes expense submissions/reconciliations, and processes field office payments for the assigned portfolio.
             • Prepares monthly cash forecasts for the project in line with the Donor’s and Plan Zimbabwe’s finance guidelines.
             • Prepare bank reconciliation statement and all reconciling items are cleared in subsequent period.
             • Review staff advance accountabilities and timely liquidate in the system.
               1. Risk and Compliance Management
                  • Take responsibility for ensuring that all financial transactions carried out in the Project are fully compliant with PIZ policies, donor requirements and the laws of Zimbabwe.
                  • Monitor all project transactions to ensure that they are all compliant with PIZ's and Donor policies and all non-compliance is promptly highlighted.
                  • Comprehensively map out key project management risks at all levels of PIZ’s financial management particularly cash management risks and implement risk mitigating actions.
                  • Reviews payment requests and advance liquidations for accuracy, proper coding and completeness in line with the check list of requirements.
                  • Ensure all relevant taxes are deducted from service provider’s payments and remitted to the statutory organization as per deadlines.
                  • Participate in all projects and statutory audits; providing the necessary information and documentation that would be required.
                  • Responsible for maintaining current knowledge of donors’ and PIZ’s financial policies and procedures, and serving as a resource for area program teams.
                  • Oversee Partner or Sub recipient compliance to donor procedures and supporting documents, project reporting guidelines and templates, and statutory requirements.
                  • Support Monitoring visits to projects as may be required to resolve any grant management issues and advise Management of any potential issues of non-compliance.
                    1. Team Management
                       • Lead the Project Finance team in a manner that empowers them to deliver high quality output and timely support to the Project Team:
                       • Regularly review the team staffing levels to ensure that required service levels can be realistically delivered; at the same time ensuring that staff are fully occupied and working efficiently.
                       • Communicate clear performance expectations to the team, providing training, coaching and other support as required; manage any poor performance firmly but fairly, in line with PIZ’s policy.
                         1. Safeguarding, Gender Equality & Inclusion
                            • Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility.

                              Knowledge

                              • Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Accounting or Business Administration majoring in Accounting.
                              • Part professional qualification in accountancy (CIS, ACCA) at intermediate or affiliate level.
                              • Minimum of five years working experience as an Accountant in a busy organization and at a responsible supervisory level is essential.

                                Skills

                                • Excellent analytical skills.
                                • Ability to train field staff on grants financial management.