Global Assurance Manager , Senegal

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s stated Global Strategic Goal (2011-15) is to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised, with high-quality programmes that deliver long-lasting benefits. Plan aims to achieve this goal by working in partnership with others and through high performing teams whose behaviours reflect the corporate values. Plan has a global income of around $800m.

About the role Global Assurance is part of Plan’s governance framework and has been established to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve Plan’s operations. It helps Plan accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.

The purpose of this role is to provide Senior Management and the International Board with assurance on key processes, policies and controls carried out at Regional or Global level through providing leadership, technical support and strategic direction.

Dimensions of Role: • Management of the Regional Global Assurance (GA) budget of approximately €500,000 • Management, leadership and direction of the Regional GA Team (currently 4) • Management support on risk management and control framework to Senior leadership teams in the region (Regional Management Team (RMT), extended RMT and Regional Leadership Team (RLT)) • Part of the GA Management team providing cover and support to other managers when required • Technical support of various functional networks in the region on risk management and control framework

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position: Development and Implementation of the GA Approach & Strategy • Actively contribute ideas to shape the GA strategy • Act as a thought lead on various projects or products to implement the strategy, as a member of the GA Management team, and as agreed with the GA Director • Market the GA strategy and approach to various stakeholders especially at a Regional level (Regional Office and Country Office) • Active engagement with the GAMT to ensure consistent development and implementation of the Assurance approach and strategy

Providing Assurance: Planning, monitoring and quality review of Assurance engagements on key systems, processes, policies and controls carried out at the Country, Regional and Global level.

• Develop a FY work plan for the Region/specific area of work, as agreed with the GA Director, that provides assurance on key systems, processes, policies and controls in Plan • Assign assurance engagements in the work plan to team members – including non GA staff, seconded and co -sourced depending on the knowledge and skills required for the assignment • Prepare, and monitor the budget to implement the annual work plan • Review ongoing assurance assignments on the work plan for which the Manager is the lead, in line with International Standards on auditing • Prepare reports to the board and relevant stakeholders on various assurance engagements and assignments undertaken • Provide limited monitoring on the process of managements’ monitoring of management actions in response to Assurance Reviews

Change Management, management support and learning: Influence change within and across the organization to strengthen risk management, accountability and effectiveness and support management in improving operations and to provide a platform for learning across Plan. • Provide practical recommendations on how to improve systems, processes, policies and controls • Facilitate the sharing of learning, based on best practices from different units within the organization as well as from best standards and practice from the industry • Provide technical support in network meetings and other organisational trainings focusing on risk management and effectiveness of the control framework • Provide advice to project boards on system, process and policy reviews, in agreement with the GA Director • Actively participate in Regional and other leadership meetings to provide strategic input on risk management • Contribute to the induction of new County Directors & ROMT members upon request on risk management, effectiveness of the control framework and the role of GA

Relationship Management -Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate conduct of assurance engagements and exchange of knowledge on assurance best practices • Building relationships with key internal stakeholders including regional and country management to facilitate the conduct of assurance engagements and identify appropriate areas for management support • Interact with other assurance functions from global INGO, local NGOs and the donor community to exchange knowledge and learning on assurance best practices and developments in risk management • Access and support professional networks and communities of practice

Team Management: GA assignments will be delivered by an effective and efficient team, skilled in their area of expertise • Provide coaching and guidance to the teams that undertake the various assurance engagements • Facilitate the professional development and progression of direct reports

Dealing with Problems: • Working across a large geographical area and multiple countries (with predominately French and English language) that require strategic choices to be made on the prioritisation of assurance needs to be addressed • The role works with management at country, regional, IH and national offices. This places a requirement for the development of excellent working relationships and communication that is greater than in more regular management relationships • Deciding which assignments to prioritise given the many competing assurance needs of the various stakeholders in the region and the wider organisation • Finding effective assurance solutions to countries with varying and rapidly changing risk levels • Advising management at different levels in the organisation on effective risk management and accountability • Making effective recommendations to management on how to improve the control framework and manage risks in various contexts and across different functions • Influencing management to implement recommendations made from assurance reviews

About you Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required to Achieve Role’s Objectives: Knowledge • Demonstrable knowledge of principles of auditing and risk management • In depth knowledge and understanding of the risks facing the development sector • Understanding of current accountability and transparency thinking • Knowledge of various donors conditions and requirements • Knowledge of development sector standards (Sphere, PiAid, HAP)

Skills • Communication skills – ability to communicate clearly and concisely to management both orally and in writing • Excellent written and oral English and French language skills (knowledge of other major Plan languages e.g. Spanish or Arabic an advantage) • Excellent people skills - team builder and motivator • Organisational skills - proven skills in managing multiple assignments over a wide geographical coverage involving multiple teams • Strong analytical skills – proven ability to analyse complex situations and problems and identify an appropriate response • Good negotiation and influencing skills • Excellent facilitation and presentation skills • Excellent interpersonal skills in a multicultural environment, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at different levels within and outside the organization – country, regional, national offices and donors

Behaviours

• Strongly drives performance forward in providing Regional Assurance • Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context • Alerts others to risks inside and outside the organisation • Effective coach, equally at home with high performers and those in difficulty • Sound judgment and decision-making in complex situations • Effective communicator using clear messages drawn from Plan’s work • Cross culturally adept • Demonstrate high degree of professionalism and integrity • Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations

Location: Dakar, Senegal Travel: Based in the regional office with extensive travel within and outside the region (approx 50%) Type of Role: 5 year fixed term contract Reports to: Director of Global Assurance
Grade: F Salary: US $50-65,000 per annum plus full expat benefits Closing Date: Wednesday 13th February

This is an accompanied position and a full relocation package will be available

How to apply:

To apply for this role please visit our website and submit your application: http://plan-international.org/about-plan/jobs

Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community