Grants Accountant Plan Ireland Dublin, Ireland
Overview
Plan is an international child centred development organisation working in 50 developing countries. With a focus on long term sustainable development, Plan assists children and their communities across a range of projects including education, health, livelihoods and water/sanitation. Plan also engages in humanitarian work.
Established in 2003, Plan Ireland is a dynamic organisation that supports Plan’s work worldwide with a particular focus on West Africa. Funding is received from a variety of sources including through the public via child sponsorship, Irish Aid, EU, trusts, foundations, trade unions and corporate firms.
Plan has over 8,000 child sponsors who support Plan’s work in developing countries.
In addition, Plan Ireland strives to raise awareness of development issues through media, key events, advocacy and development education.
General Description of the Role:
Reporting to the Financial Controller (FC), the incumbent will work closely with the Programme Department to ensure effective financial management of grant-funded projects and compliance with donor requirements. They will provide financial and contract management support for projects funded by institutional donors and take responsibility for monitoring expenditure against budgets. The candidate will be expected to ensure compliance with donor requirements, particularly the EU, ECHO, and Irish Aid – financial, procurement and other rules.
The candidate will also provide strong support in the delivery, accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and financial compliance. This role includes working with all facets of accounting including financial reporting, month-end/year-end processes, risk management, internal control and governance. Working with the FC, the candidate will have the opportunity to input into the strategic direction of the organisation.
The role will involve regular travel, particularly to West Africa.
Responsibilities
Programme
• Be fully aware of donor requirements (financial, procurement, contractual, etc.) and work with the Financial Controller and Programme Manager to ensure these are adhered to.
• Support the Programme Department, Plan Country Offices and local partners in understanding and adhering to donor requirements.
• Assist in preparing start-up workshops on procurement, donor reporting requirements, financial rules and other donor parameters with project/programme partners.
• Work with Plan Country Offices and partners in identifying financial and compliance capacity gaps. Develop training material and hold workshops to fill these gaps.
• Field work – visit the field regularly to ensure that financial documentation, adherence to procurement rules and other compliance requirements are accurate and up-to-date.
• Audit – assist in the preparation of, during and follow up for audits.
• Develop, implement and maintain robust grants management policies and systems and ensure compliance by the organisation in line with sector best practice.
• Assist the Programme Department to prepare large donor proposals, review and complete financial reports, and ensure provision is made for cost recovery in all donor proposals.
• Play an active role in the management of relationships between Plan Ireland, donors, country offices and partners in conjunction with the Programme team.
• Build financial capacity in the Programme team and Plan Ireland’s core programme countries through training where identified.
• Actively participate in global discussions around best practice in financial grant management issues.
Financial
• Support the Financial Controller in strategic planning, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Develop, recommend and implement appropriate financial policies and procedures in keeping with best practices followed by the NFP sector.
• Assist the FC in the preparation of monthly financial reports to the international organisation and the executive team.
• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure accounting transactions summarised in the general ledger are properly supported, books are properly maintained and reporting deadlines are met.
• Support the maintenance of the organisation’s internal control framework and policy and procedures with input from various sources.
• Ensure compliance with revenue recognition policies for various revenue streams and projects.
• Assist in the year-end audit process.
Financial Review and Risk Management
• Support the FC in the implementation and co-ordination of the risk management strategy.
• Monitor Global Assurance (GA – Plan International’s Internal Audit function) reports to identify any potential risks or gaps for Plan Ireland funded projects.
• Where risks are identified, carry out financial reviews (both desk and field) in close collaboration with the GA Department to ensure all Plan Ireland grants are compliant with donor rules and guidelines.
• Coordination with GA Department and sharing of best practice across Plan International.
• Work with the executive team and the Finance sub-committee of the Board to ensure Plan Ireland’s Corporate Governance standards are of a best in sector standard.
Essential attributes for the role
• Three years professional experience (experience of working in a developing country advantageous).
• Relevant third-level degree or qualification.
• Prior experience in training and capacity building.
• Strong multi donor work experience on the compliance requirements of funding from institutions, Governments, Trusts and Foundations
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Willingness to spend long periods of time in the field.
Desired attributes for the role
• A working knowledge of French.
• A strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices preferably within an NGO environment.
• Knowledge and experience of MS Great Plains accounting system and/or IRIS Exchequer.
• Sound judgement, problem solving abilities, planning, decision making, and collaborative team player skills.
• Initiative.
• Self starter.
• Team player.
To Apply: send CV with cover letter answering filter questions (below) to hr@plan.ie
Closing date: Friday, 14th September 2012
Filter questions (answers must be included in all applications)
1. Current remuneration
2. Desired salary/remuneration – please advise of minimum salary required and expected benefits
3. Notice period (in weeks and/or months)
4. Please advise of any pertinent information that may be important for Plan Ireland to be aware of prior to commencement of the interview process.
Thank you.
Please note this document is not intended to be an exhaustive job description. It serves only as an overview of the role.
Plan Ireland regrets that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Plan is an international child centred development organisation working in 50 developing countries. With a focus on long term sustainable development, Plan assists children and their communities across a range of projects including education, health, livelihoods and water/sanitation. Plan also engages in humanitarian work.
Established in 2003, Plan Ireland is a dynamic organisation that supports Plan’s work worldwide with a particular focus on West Africa. Funding is received from a variety of sources including through the public via child sponsorship, Irish Aid, EU, trusts, foundations, trade unions and corporate firms.
Plan has over 8,000 child sponsors who support Plan’s work in developing countries.
In addition, Plan Ireland strives to raise awareness of development issues through media, key events, advocacy and development education.
General Description of the Role:
Reporting to the Financial Controller (FC), the incumbent will work closely with the Programme Department to ensure effective financial management of grant-funded projects and compliance with donor requirements. They will provide financial and contract management support for projects funded by institutional donors and take responsibility for monitoring expenditure against budgets. The candidate will be expected to ensure compliance with donor requirements, particularly the EU, ECHO, and Irish Aid – financial, procurement and other rules.
The candidate will also provide strong support in the delivery, accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and financial compliance. This role includes working with all facets of accounting including financial reporting, month-end/year-end processes, risk management, internal control and governance. Working with the FC, the candidate will have the opportunity to input into the strategic direction of the organisation.
The role will involve regular travel, particularly to West Africa.
Responsibilities
Programme
• Be fully aware of donor requirements (financial, procurement, contractual, etc.) and work with the Financial Controller and Programme Manager to ensure these are adhered to.
• Support the Programme Department, Plan Country Offices and local partners in understanding and adhering to donor requirements.
• Assist in preparing start-up workshops on procurement, donor reporting requirements, financial rules and other donor parameters with project/programme partners.
• Work with Plan Country Offices and partners in identifying financial and compliance capacity gaps. Develop training material and hold workshops to fill these gaps.
• Field work – visit the field regularly to ensure that financial documentation, adherence to procurement rules and other compliance requirements are accurate and up-to-date.
• Audit – assist in the preparation of, during and follow up for audits.
• Develop, implement and maintain robust grants management policies and systems and ensure compliance by the organisation in line with sector best practice.
• Assist the Programme Department to prepare large donor proposals, review and complete financial reports, and ensure provision is made for cost recovery in all donor proposals.
• Play an active role in the management of relationships between Plan Ireland, donors, country offices and partners in conjunction with the Programme team.
• Build financial capacity in the Programme team and Plan Ireland’s core programme countries through training where identified.
• Actively participate in global discussions around best practice in financial grant management issues.
Financial
• Support the Financial Controller in strategic planning, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Develop, recommend and implement appropriate financial policies and procedures in keeping with best practices followed by the NFP sector.
• Assist the FC in the preparation of monthly financial reports to the international organisation and the executive team.
• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure accounting transactions summarised in the general ledger are properly supported, books are properly maintained and reporting deadlines are met.
• Support the maintenance of the organisation’s internal control framework and policy and procedures with input from various sources.
• Ensure compliance with revenue recognition policies for various revenue streams and projects.
• Assist in the year-end audit process.
Financial Review and Risk Management
• Support the FC in the implementation and co-ordination of the risk management strategy.
• Monitor Global Assurance (GA – Plan International’s Internal Audit function) reports to identify any potential risks or gaps for Plan Ireland funded projects.
• Where risks are identified, carry out financial reviews (both desk and field) in close collaboration with the GA Department to ensure all Plan Ireland grants are compliant with donor rules and guidelines.
• Coordination with GA Department and sharing of best practice across Plan International.
• Work with the executive team and the Finance sub-committee of the Board to ensure Plan Ireland’s Corporate Governance standards are of a best in sector standard.
Essential attributes for the role
• Three years professional experience (experience of working in a developing country advantageous).
• Relevant third-level degree or qualification.
• Prior experience in training and capacity building.
• Strong multi donor work experience on the compliance requirements of funding from institutions, Governments, Trusts and Foundations
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Willingness to spend long periods of time in the field.
Desired attributes for the role
• A working knowledge of French.
• A strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices preferably within an NGO environment.
• Knowledge and experience of MS Great Plains accounting system and/or IRIS Exchequer.
• Sound judgement, problem solving abilities, planning, decision making, and collaborative team player skills.
• Initiative.
• Self starter.
• Team player.
To Apply: send CV with cover letter answering filter questions (below) to hr@plan.ie
Closing date: Friday, 14th September 2012
Filter questions (answers must be included in all applications)
1. Current remuneration
2. Desired salary/remuneration – please advise of minimum salary required and expected benefits
3. Notice period (in weeks and/or months)
4. Please advise of any pertinent information that may be important for Plan Ireland to be aware of prior to commencement of the interview process.
Thank you.
Please note this document is not intended to be an exhaustive job description. It serves only as an overview of the role.
Plan Ireland regrets that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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