Plan International is an
independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination.
And it is girls who are most affected.
We work together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners.
We strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity.
We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for close to 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
The Country Finance Manager (CFM) is responsible for leading, managing and developing the Finance Team. The CFM supports the implementation of Plan International financial standards, processes and systems throughout Plan International Cameroon.
The CFM promotes a working environment which effectively supports Plan Cameroon program delivery and ensure accountabilities to children, communities, and donors.
The CFM supports Plan International Cameroon Management Team to improve our operational excellence by regular reviews to our systems and processes.
As a finance team leader the CFM must demonstrate a high understanding of the financial policies and strategies and their impact on Plan international operational in the country, as well as advise the Plan International management team on country financial matters, including taxation.
The Country Finance Manager is responsible for providing timely and reliable financial information, analysis and reports for effective management decision making.
DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE
The position of Country Finance Manager is an integral part of the team responsible for the overall management of all areas related to finance : budgetary management and financial reporting and analysis;
Accounting and treasury; internal financial control oversight, and contractors’ payments;
Lead the Finance contribution to proposal writing and resource mobilization;
The position manages the following Line reports : Country Accountant; Business Analyst; Project Accountants; PU Finance Coordinators;
The Country Finance Manager leads the financial services with an estimated annual portfolio of over 10 Million Euros;
Supports the Grants Management Team on proper FAD / SPAD Processes;
Supports Country Leadership Team in providing regular high level analysis of budgets for programs and operations to allow appropriate management decisions.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Country Leadership Team :
Participate in Country Leadership Team decision-making
Support the Country Leadership Team to manage partnership relationships and processes (Government, organizations / NGOs and communities)
Manage the financial risks exposure of Plan International operations in-country
Budgeting and planning :
Support Country Leadership Team (CLT) by providing regular high level analysis of budgets for programs and operations for effective and timely management decisions
Lead the business planning, including budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and cash flow forecasting, including staff capacity building
Organize and control the annual budget and quarterly financial processes, ensuring timely communication of instructions and meeting deadlines
Implement the country cost recovery and apportioning processes through a structured protocol.
Leads financial proposal writing and resource mobilization
Financial reporting and cash management :
Build capacity of the country finance team to facilate timely completion of financial transactions which respect fully the corporate requirements and procedures
Ensure that all financial risks management tools and controls are periodically reviewed to eliminate any financial malpractices from the operating environment (Authorization Matrices, Duty Matrix, Financial Transactions Checklist, Cash Forecasting, etc.)
Act as the country focal point for the corporate financial software and cash management processes, and ensure that staff capacity is adequately built to ensure an effective country operations
Participate in the organiastion’s overall partnership management processes through partner capacity assessments, capacity building, financial reporting where necessary
Ensure compliance with national financial regulations, including taxation
Lead the submission of timely and reliable financial management information for all projects (both grants and individual giving funds) including key aspects of compliance and financial accountability as required by Donors, internal rules and regulations
Support the Country Leadership Team (CLT) to improve the organsaition’s operation excellence (regular review of our systems and processes)
Lead finance contribution to proposal writing and resource mobilization
Support grant management team on proper FAD / SPAD approval process
Grants and Sponsorship financial reporting and record-keeping :
Establishing complete grants and sponsorship projects’ budgets which include cost recovery of staff costs and support services
Accurate maintenance of grants and sponsorship projects’ expenditures records including supporting documentation
Review of financial reporting prepared for submission to donors to ensure it is accurate and on time.
Maintaining close monitoring of advances to partners, expenditure reporting by partners and complete supporting documentation
Risk management :
Ensure appropriate financial standards, controls processes, procedures, and systems are in place and adhered to
Ensure finance related audit actions are implemented and alternative actions taken as required to address weaknesses in financial controls and procedures identified in finance and other forms of audit reports
Team leadership :
Recruit, develop and motivate a high performing finance team
Leading regular meetings of finance team members, including those at the Program Units.
Ensuring performance management of all finance staff occurs in line with the global standard
Implementation of Child and Youth Safeguarding measures
Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility.
This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to Country Director
Provides financial services and business advice to CD and project management teams
Manages the performance of Finance staff including those directly assigned to projects
Regular participation in national INGO finance networks
Responsible for project-level liaison with external auditors
Responsible for the project level liaison with the national office in the finance matters
Work closely with Plan International National offices and country office staff on internal and external financial reviews and audits
Work closely with project finance / grants / administrative staff and sub-grantees to ensure appropriate implementation of the project
Work closely with bank officials and other financial institutions
Work closely with Program Unit Managers on budget and expenditures monitoring
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge
Relevant university qualification(s) in Accounting or Finance or a professional qualification in accountancy (e.g., CPA / CA / ACCA) or a related field with a minimum of 5 years’ experience preferably with INGO.
A Masters degree in finance and above is an asset
Knowledge of the sector and the financial management issues specific to it an advantage
Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, Control standards and the reporting requirements of major international donors
Skills
Proven effective and practical management skills leading teams across several sites and operating in a multicultural and matrix management structure
Excellent proven financial analytical skills
Ability to demonstrate and foster in team members a strong commitment to meeting the needs of other employees and managers for financial services
Good written and spoken French and English an asset
Proficient in Microsoft office packages, general ledger, grants tracking and automated financial systems
Behaviours
Striving for high performance across the team and for Plan’s business
Strategic thinking and innovation finding efficiencies in the use of resources
Decision making and risk management identification and action on financial risk management in line with compliance requirements
Building effective teams and partnerships with teams and suppliers
Developing people leaving a legacy of a locally able team
Self-awareness and resilience operating in a highly volatile and developing context
PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE
We are open and accountable
Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact
Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together
Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
We are inclusive and empowering
We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
This position is based at the Country Office in Yaounde. The incumbent is required to travel 30% of the time according to the need of support from program areas
LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN
MID CONTACT : OCCASIONAL INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN
The job responsibilities of this position does not require the post holder to have any one-to-one contact with children on a daily basis.
There would be occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.
To apply for this job, kindly click on "Apply". Your application should include :
A cover letter
A comprehensive CV including details of three referees, one of whom should be your current of most recent supervisor
Location : Yaounde Cameroon
Closing date : 20 December 2019
Plan International Cameroon operates in an equal opportunity environment and actively encourages diversity. Only applications received in French or English will be treated and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Plan international has a child protection and gender equality policies that are integral part of the recruitment process.
Apply now
