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 80 years, and are now active
in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE
Title Senior Grant Accountant
Functional Area Finance
Reports to Country Finance Manager
Location Country Office Travel required Yes
Effective Date October 2021 Grade C2

ROLE PURPOSE
The purpose of this role is to maintain good grant accounting practice, accurate grant budgets and preparation of donor financial information
Dimensions of the Role
Proper management of grant budgets and reporting to donors

Accountabilities
1. Budget management and monitoring
• Generate a list of all grants that are closing in respective month and share with the Finance and admin teams
• Ensure all grant related account codes are linked to each grant upon approval of the grant Project Outlines
• Timely upload of original budgets and subsequent changes for all projects in SAP
Reconcile the project finance and grants modules and ensure that all WBSs are linked to the grant

2. Maintain accurate records for all grants in SAP
1 Ensure information for all grant income in SAP reconciled to the expenditures
2 Ensure that all grants are with budget exchange rates captured
3 Ensure that there are no grants closed with unspent balances
4 There should be no closing grants that are not financially closed
5 There should be no grants in SAP without budgets in both euros and donor currency
6  Ensure the project outline budgets tally with uploaded budgets in the grant module

3. Prepare apportioned and PU shared costs in grant budget proposals and ensure accuracy and compliance with standard policies
1 Ensure the unit costs applied are realistic as per market rates
2 The CO apportioned and PU shared costs are budgeted according to the existing FY cost ratio
3 The LOE for the relevant positions are realistically allocated
4 Ensure that all CO overhead costs are budgeted

4. Financial Reporting
1 Consolidate and submit timely and accurate financial reports in accordance with donor reporting schedules
2 Analyse financial reports and provide recommendation to the Project Coordinators on future forecasts and planning.
3 Align the financial and narrative reports, demonstrating progress to meet targets and staying on budget
4 Reconcile the finance and grants module reports to ensure that no NRGRANT transactions remain outstanding at end of period
5 Compare the Project report to the Fund report to ensure that project expenditure has been charged to the grant and there are no mapping issues between project and grant data
6 Realistic explanations provided for all variances
7 Prepare the donor logging sheet for all monthly reports to the donor.

5. Grants and Compliance:
1 Coordinate all grant project audits and also implement any audit recommendations
2 Complete the fund accountability statement for the project for the period to be audited
3 Provide auditors all requested supporting documents related to the sampled transactions
4 Ensure adherence to financial controls, donor reporting compliance, processes and procedures

6. Mentor and supervise
1 Build capacity and mentor the Project Accountants
2 Ensure annual IAP of the accountants is set as per the guidelines
3 Ensure the interim and annual appraisals of the Project Accountants is completed in time and input from project managers/coordinators is included
Dealing with Problems:
• Managing a budget that is utilized by staff he/she doesn’t directly supervise

Child Protection and Gender Equality & Inclusion
Ensures 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. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships
The Senior Grant Accountant closely works with:
• Project Accountants: Consultation on grants reporting and any system related issues
• Country Finance Manager: sharing of financial reports and budget changes and performance
• Project Coordinator/Managers: to follow up on budget implementation/management and any inquiry/ input on the financial reports and also in regard to finance and budget management
• Program Unit Manager Follow up to ensure proper budget management and implementation of the donor’s requirements.
• Grants compliance Manager: to ensure grants requirements are adhered to any other grants related matters.
• NPMs: to finalize with them budget proposals

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 utilize their potential.
• Accept change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

Business Management Competencies

• Understand relevant sectorial 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.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Essential
Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Knowledge
• Bachelor’s degree (hons) in Commerce or Business administration majoring in accounting
• Previous experience in grants management.
• Professional qualification in accountancy (CPA, ACCA) at intermediate or affiliate level.
Skills
• 3-5 years’ experience in a similar role working in a computerized accounting office in an NGO set up.
• NGO experience is an added advantage
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant accounting software package such SAP, QuickBooks, SUN systems, etc.

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

• 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.

Physical Environment
• Typical office environment