ROLE PURPOSE::

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The primary responsibility of the  Financial  Accountant  she/he is responsible for overseeing Accounting,  finances and operations in accordance with relevant Germen donor’s rules and regulations and in line with Plan’s financial and administrative management policy provisions, also she/he  will supervise the  financial reporting on grants performance and will ensure best use of resources by managing the preparation of sound budgets, monitoring project expenses, ensure compliance with grant terms and obligations, fulfilment of anticipated grants-supported activities, and submission of timely financial reports, raise capacity for Non finance Staff and Implementing  in financial management, Accounting  and reporting.

Dimensions of the Role:

•  Financial Accountant will report to the Area Finance Coordinator with dotted line Country Finance Manager S/he will work collaboratively with the respective project Managers and Support Services Coordinator in area of, Finance, procurement, logistics, HR and grant finance management.
• Provide technical support to Implementing partner organizations, ensuring their compliance with Plan International policies, as well as funding and reporting requirements from inception to contract closure in accordance with grant agreements and other appropriate protocols
• German Grants finance management, donor compliance and cost recovery
• Support White Nile Programme strategic planning, work planning, and budgeting processes under supervision of Area Finance Coordinator and Program Area Manager
• Monitor partners compliance, conducts field office site visits to ensure consistency with German grant terms and conditions, timelines, budgets, and performance measures.

Accountabilities:

1. Business planning process

• 1.1 Assist in the preparation of the annual grant budget, monitor the impact of operation plans upon existing grant, analyse and advise supervisor/Senior management concerning appropriate actions to be taken.
• 1.2 Reviews partner and Plan financial documents and checks compliance to FAD requirements/processes and any deviations are dealt with appropriately.
• 1.3 Reviews grant Project Outlines and PO modifications before CFM validation in order to ensure accuracy of expenses codes and budget availability as per the Project Implementation plan approved with donor/GNO.
• 1.4 Reviews Grant budget entries in SAP and keeps records of budget modifications on file.
• 1.5 Monitor actual grant expenditures against approved line items on a monthly basis; alert management on any irregularities and make recommendations concerning the re-negotiation or approved grant line items with donor/GNO where appropriate.
• 1.6 Assist in dissemination of Project grant related information to team members and partners every month.

2. Accounting and treasury:

• 2.1 Monitors payment transactions to project implementation partners and ensure timely liquidation of their advances.
• 2.2 Ensure payments are officially documented and scanned in terms of invoice/ receipt with project number, proof of payment, booking voucher (e.g. SAP) procurement documentation and other supporting documents (e.g. participants’ lists including signatures)
• 2.3 Undertakes other accounting functions such as review advances liquidations, preparation of reports, social insurance and tax related Data and filing of documents.
• 2.4 Provides assistance during compliance reviews from GNO, audits for accurate, timely and organized audit activities.
• 2.5 Attends to meetings/seminars on GNO Project grants and relevant information and active participation is given/made.
• 2.6Prepares Cash Forecast on a monthly basis.
• 2.7 Prepares Bank reconciliation statement of Project accounts and reviews Partners ‘accounting records, bank and cash reconciliations.

3. Financial reporting and analysis:

• 3.1 Review accuracy of SAP report print-out specific to Grant and ensures consistency with Grant and Project reports.
• 3.2 Tracks monthly grants expenditure regularly and issues/problems identified are reported to Program Area Manager and CFM appropriate and on time.
• 3.3 Analysis and reconciles grant expenditures Vs budget accurately and on time.
• 3.4 Prepare and submit donor financial reports on time as per the agreement with donors/s, in collaboration with the Area Finance Coordinator and CO Grant Coordinator.
• 3.5 Ensures that the Project Coordination Team is kept informed about the status of the grant lines by preparing a monthly report on the status of the grant.
• 3.6 Investigate project variances and submit variance reports to Supervisors.
• 3.7 Prepares a report on outstanding advances to partners and staff of the project.
• 3.8 Prepares the bank reconciliation statement.
• 3.9 Follows up on Audit recommendations to ensure that they are fully implemented.
• 3.10 Closes out project accounts upon project completion.

4. Manages Project Grants information systems

• 4.1 Ensures grants information is encoded into the SAP accurately and as scheduled.
• 4.2 Coordinate the processing of timesheets for all staff on the grant and file them for easy retrieval.
• 4.3 Works in collaboration with Grants Accountant and Coordinator to make the mapping of Project Account lines to FAD accurately and do the derivation in SAP on a timely basis.
• 4.4 Prepares Project grant finance report data and ensures they are properly stored and updated in the information system.
• 4.5 Reply to inquiries on Project grant-finance related issues promptly and correctly.
• 4.6 Stores files and other information related to the Grant project in an organized manner and easily retrieved.

5. Contribute on capacity building Strategy for Implementing partners.

• Conduct Job trainings for implementing partners those implementing German grant projects on financial planning and financial management, processes including internal controls in collaboration with the support Service department, Program, finance and business development. 
• 5.2 Conduct monthly review and verify that partners maintain proper books of accounts, including an up-to-date register 0f assets as well as proper filing and archiving of financial documents.

6. People management:  
   1. Develop training plan for direct report.
   2. Develop, coach and motivate a high performing Finance Assistant  
   3. Ensure staff has her/his Individual Accountability Plan (IAP)
   4. Conduct interim and final evaluation of direct report staff based on PMS guidelines.
   5. Conduct regular meeting with the finance and projects staff.

Others

• Any other functions and responsibilities of appropriate nature to project Management assigned by the supervisor

Key relationships:

Internal Communication:

• Area Finance Coordinator    – High level of Communication to report, seek approvals, sharing views to strengthen the program area and to ensure continues support for the program and Finance.
• Program Area Manager and Country Finance Manager – High level of communication to support and provide hand holding support to understand the model and to respond to queries
• Regular communication with Business development, Support service and Finance department in CO to share reports and updates.

External Communication:

• Partners – high level of communication to share and understand progress of the Operations.

Presentation skills

1. Negotiation skills
2. Analytical and logical skills

Communication skills

1. Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
2. Good skills in spread sheet and word processing computer application
3. Good skills in computer information and communication.
4. Good managerial skills.
5. Excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
6. Ability to communication via internet.
7. Ability to respond and solve challenges at first stage.
8. Ability to document program knowledge.
9. Ability to think creatively for development of new ideas and for presenting them to others.
10. Strong interpersonal skills to cope up with stress and managing work effectively.
11. Demonstrated Leadership skills to maintain team work and to build capacity of team members.

Knowledge and expertise

• At least 3 -4 years of experience working in Finance and Accounting role in an INGO or UN agencies.
• Demonstrable experience in Finance management and staff coordination.
• Knowledge and understanding of Sudan policy (taxation and Social Insurance)
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including good listening skills, influencing, negotiation and coaching

Capacity to build and maintain relationships and to work effectively in a multicultural and multi- ethnic environment respecting diversity

Essential

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Financial Management, or professional qualification in accountancy international.
• A BSC degree can be substituted with an additional 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing finances for GFFO, BMZ, DFID, EC, ECHO, EC or US Aid funded projects.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, writing and speaking skills is required.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook

Desirable

• Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate.
• Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level based on Plan International’s Country Strategy both among staff and implementing partners

Physical Environment:

• Must work in busiest environment outside the office with multi stakeholders.
• Must work outside in an extremely hot and humid climate to perform tasks related to program.
• Must work under high stresses.
• Must work off hours after daily working hours when ever requirement arises

Level of contact with children:

• Min contact: Occasional direct interaction with children

The complete application should be submitted  via Sudanjob.net Please note :

• Only short listed candidates will be contacted
• Females are strongly encouraged to apply “competitive offers are waiting for them!”