Finance Manager at Plan International

About The Job

Dimensions of Role:

• The Finance Manager will be responsible for the management of the project budget (over 5.5 million EUR), providing oversight, reporting and analysis on the financial health of the WISE project. The Finance Manager will also be responsible for ensuring compliance to donor requirements, government requirements, and Plan International Ghana financial management and compliance standards.
• The post-holder will be based in Tamale but travel to the project districts where the WISE project operates for approximately 40% of her/his time, as well as to the Plan International Ghana Country Office in Accra.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Prepares financial and other reports to present the overall financial health of the WISE project for decision making.  

To do this, the position holder will:

• Ensure that project transactions are reviewed and correctly entered into SAP on timely basis;
• Review project sub-ledger for all advances and prepaid expenses and sign off reports after month end closure
• Undertake checks to ensure that all transactions are accurately entered into SAP.
• Review staff advance liquidations for appropriateness and completeness
• Prepare quarterly, semi-annual, year-end and other grants financial reports and analyses as per required instructions for management decision making;
• Responsible for the preparation of quarterly, semi-annual and year-end financial schedules of the project;
• Budget preparation and budgetary control support for the effective implementation of the WISE project financial plan. 

To do this, the position holder will:

• Lead the preparation of the Project annual budget in collaboration with the project team and implementing partners
• Monitor project budget on a monthly basis and provide information to programs teams for modification when necessary
• Consolidate monthly project budget and financial report
• Respond to grants financial queries in liaison with the Head of Finance and Operations, Business Development Manager and the Project Lead;
• Train/coach partner finance staff in the delivery of job requirements to support grants compliance, budget preparation and control and financial reporting
• Ensure reviewed partner liquidation and financial reports are validated before further funds are advanced
• Ensure compliance with best practices and donor specific requirements by partner organisations.
• Operates the Plan International Operations accounting software (SAP) to meet Plan’s and Donor spending and financial reporting requirements. 

To do this, the position holder will:

• Work with grants accountants to ensure that approved project budget lines and Donor account lines, together with subsequent modifications, are accurate in SAP and mapped onto correct budget lines
• Prepare quarterly donor financial report
• Undertake checks to ensure that all transactions are accurately entered into SAP.
• Analyse project balance, especially expenses account after month end closure, and effect the necessary corrections with the support of the Project Lead
•  Implement Internal Financial Controls and Payment Processes for the attainment of value for money at all times. To do this, the position holder will:
• Lead contact person on project audit
• Prepare project Financial audit action list after each audit and ensure its compliance
• Monitor and submit quarterly report on project financial risks
• Ensure Partner Organizations are prepared for donor financial audit.

Others:

• Visit Partners Organisations and their locations at least once a quarter to provide the needed technical support to Partner Organisations finance teams
• Keep Project Lead informed of any initiative or difficulties relating to job responsibilities
• Fulfils Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy at all times to protect Children and Youth from all forms of abuse
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time to support the achievement of the WISE Project Goals
• Ensure strict adherence to Plan International Ghana’s internal controls and donor

Communications and Working Relationships:

• High level contact with all WISE project team (Plan International Ghana and Plan International Canada), Programme Unit Finance staff as well as Country Office Finance Staff for smooth implementation of the finance and accounting functions.
• High level contact with Partner Organisations to provide financial management and compliance support to partners and ensure Plan International receives value for money and the financial requirements are adhered to
• Medium level contact: 
  • Maintains low contact with other staff from the Program Unit and country offices to offer support for compliance with finance and accounting procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Qualification and Experience:

• First Degree in Accounting plus ICA Ghana part 2 or ACCA Foundation (Level 2) or its equivalent
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a similar role with relevant professional experience in managing complex and multimillion-dollar budgets on institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID, and European Union.
• Knowledge in SAP Accounting software would be an added advantage
• Show strong understanding and knowledge of Cash Flows, Budgetary Controls and Compliance with Finance Controls.
• Proven experience in providing financial management and compliance support to partner organisations to ensure high quality delivery on project budgets and compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge in Project Management.

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

• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Ability to facilitate participative processes
• Commitment to working transparently and with accountability.
• Maintains independence, objectivity and integrity.
• Organized, Methodic and Meticulous
• Develops, motivates and coaches others.
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Gains, develops and retains credibility about his/her performance
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice:

• Demonstrable experience in managing multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID and European Union. 
• Financial Reporting Skills
• Excellent Accounting, Analytical and Judgement Skills
• Knowledge in relevant accounting software (SAP) and proficient in Microsoft applications especially Excel and Pivot tables, PowerPoint
• Good Supervisory and Coordination Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Good Team Player
• Good Negotiating, Facilitating and Influencing Skills
• Strong Communication Skills (both oral and written skills)
• Self-starter takes initiative and works with minimal direct supervision.
• Flexible, able to shift directions quickly and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.

Physical Environment and Demands:

• Typical office environment

Travel requirements:

• This post holder will be stationed in Tamale with regular travel (approximately 40% of time) to project locations where the WISE operates. 

Level of Contact with Children:

• Responsibilities of this job require a low level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.