The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has gained vast experience since 1937 when it was established, and it works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, partners and host governments. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994 in 14 districts, and its current strategy aims to reach 3.5 million adolescent girls and young women between 2022-2027 through different interventions.

Role Purpose

The purpose of the job is to provide timely and reliable financial information and analysis that leads to effective decision making to facilitate timely delivery of the PU operational plan.

T his position has the following roles:

Preparing accounting and other required reports based on the analysis performed
Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Program Area finance department and the implementation and maintenance of the financial procedures necessary for effective accountability and adequate internal controls. (segregation of duties)
Provide sufficient monitoring of financial activities throughout the fiscal year through the timely and effective control and implementation of the Program Area expenditures in accordance with prepared and approved budget guidelines
Engage in ongoing cost reduction analyses in all areas of the organization including cost recovery on grants and advising on same to programme.
Dimensions of the Role
The Program Area Accountant is responsible for grant financial support function in the areas of business planning, accounting and treasury, financial reporting and analysis and grants information systems. S/he ensures conformity with project reporting requirements and the stringent compliance to standards established by donors/national offices for the implementation of funded projects.
Accountabilities
Financial Management:
- Participate in PAs management meeting and provide financial advice and guidance.
- Support the PAs Management team to ensure that financial resources are optimally used for the benefit of Plan families and their communities.
- Responsible for the PA finance work.
- Provision of finance trainings/advice to non-finance staff at PA to enhance good financial management and accounting practices.
- Improving financial status by analyzing results; monitoring variances; identifying trends; recommending actions to management.
  Budget Management and Monitoring
  - Review POs during PO development ensuring that correct/relevant account lines have been used
  - Reviewing of PO/Sponsored program mapping sheet.
  - Take a lead role during budget development for the PA and ensure that budgets are fully costed
  - Identifying financial status by comparing and analysing actual results with plans and forecasts.
  - Budget preparation, tracking and analysis
    Partnership Management
    - Building capacity of both partners and communities in financial management as well as ensuring adherence to partnership agreement conditions through financial trainings and monitoring/support visits.
    - Regular review of partner internal controls system and alerting Head of finance and risk/Program area manager on serious gaps.
    - Timely liquidation of partner advances and submission of liquidation report to Head of finance and risk and management of the same in SAP.
    - Conduct due diligence exercise for potential partners
      Treasury
      - Prepare PA bank reconciliations twice a month; ensuring minimal reconciling items.
      - Prepare monthly cash flow forecast for the PA and submit to Lead Accountant- Control and Accounting for review and consolidation.
      - Ensure the PA does not have high balances at the bank, and for any significant idle funds are reported to Lead Accountant- Controls and Accounting and HOFG
        Payment and Financial System
        Preparation of payments based on complete and accurately coded payment packages.

Program Area Accountant (Mul), Mul