Finance and Grants Coordinator - Turkana

THE ORGANISATION Founded in 1937, Plan International, Inc. ("PII") is a globally recognized non-profit dedicated to advancing children's rights and gender equality in both humanitarian and development contexts. With over 80 years of experience, Plan International addresses the root causes of challenges faced by girls and vulnerable children, working in 70+ countries. The organization collaborates with children, young people, supporters, and partners to create a just world, acknowledging that the potential of every child is often hindered by poverty, violence, exclusion, disasters, and discrimination.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL KENYA Plan International Kenya (PIK), operational since 1982, focuses on long-term development. Collaborating closely with local communities and governments, with a work force of 250 staffs and annual budget of $ 16 million, PIK implements programs to enhance the well-being of children, girls and young people in geographic focus of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Tana River, Turkana, and Marsabit.

Under the current Country Strategy (July 2021 – June 2026), PIK aims to end teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence against girls. This goal will be achieved through the following thematic pillars. strategic objectives: 1. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Improve access to SRHR services and information to reduce teenage pregnancies and harmful practices in Kenya. 2. Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence: Ensure functional child and girls' rights protection mechanisms to prevent and respond to all forms of violence and abuse. 3. Protecting Girls and Young Women in Crisis and Climate Change Adaptation: Minimize the impact of disasters on girls, young women, families, and communities. 4. Youth-led and Innovative Partnerships for Job Creation: Build a stronger ecosystem for youth employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for vulnerable young women, fostering job seekers and creators.

Climate Proofing WASH services (CPW) is a new 3-year project that will be implemented in Turkana County, Kenya. Turkana West Sub-County is identified as the main implementation area as it hosts the Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei Settlement, with implementation in other Turkana sub-counties based on further assessments and alignment with other initiatives.

CPW is consortium led, members will combine their expertise to ensure that refugees and host communities in Turkana County enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related challenges through improved economic self-reliance and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Interrelated barriers for achieving economic self-reliance and access to sustainable WASH are addressed through a three-pronged approach whereby 1. local markets related to water, sanitation and hygiene are assessed and piloted if proven high potential to create access to job opportunities, including green jobs 2) socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable WASH services contribute to healthy lives and communities, and 3) policies and legal frameworks are enabling and inclusive for sustainable water governance. A gender transformative approach is employed to challenge and address gender-related barriers for sustainable and rewarding change. Locally led development is emphasised, enabling local communities, organisations, and county government to lead, while promoting green jobs and green transition. The target group includes young women and men and their families. Key stakeholders and actors are refugees and host communities, the County Government of Turkana, relevant agencies of the national government, UNHCR and other relevant UN agencies, local and international civil society, and a broad spectrum of private sector actors and financial institutions operational in Turkana County.

Nurturing Futures (NF) is a new 3-year project that will be implemented in Turkana County, specifically in Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei Settlement as well as Lopur Ward by Plan International Kenya and SAPCONE. The goal is to ensure that crisis-affected girls and boys in refugee- and host populations have access to food and nutrition and receive gender-sensitive nurturing care. The project combines parenting interventions with food security and nutrition interventions that can positively impact and save lives in Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana, Kenya. The project is designed against 3 Outcome areas namely 1) 2) Improved access to food and nutrition for children and the most vulnerable and 2) Improved nurturing care practices for children and enhanced parental psychological well-being, and 3) Improved service provision for early learning. Outcome 1 entails the provision of cash, knowledge and means sharing for production and preparation of nutritious food, as well as strengthened referral mechanisms. Outcome 2 entails the setting up of a parenting programme that aims to empower parents and caregivers to provide nurturing care that supports their children’s healthy and holistic development and wellbeing and supports solidarity networks between crisis-affected parents. Finally, under Outcome 3, the project will work with teachers to improve their knowledge and skills for early learning specifically emotional learning as well as reconstruct ECD centres. Eat Play Hugs project components are also being integrated into Nurturing Futures.

ABOUT THE ROLE The Finance and Grants Coordinator is responsible for the assessment and compliance monitoring of grants systems, processes, capacity support and partnership with local partner. Analysis of budgets and expenditures of the CPW and NF projects in Turkana. This role will work with the Senior Programme Manager, the larger projects team and both internal and external stakeholders. The position will be responsible for ensuring adherence to all donor compliance issues affecting the projects. The role will play a critical role to ensure the projects teams understand the grant requirements for effective delivery of the project.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Award and grants portfolio management (35%) • Support projects specific budgeting in liaison with the Country Finance and Grants Manager (CFGM) and National Office (NO) contact person • Conduct regular grants monitoring for the projects and ensure individual grants performance are being tracked effectively, and that risks and issues are being recognised and action taken. • Provide regular reports on grants performance to the Senior Project Manager & CFGM. • Support in the annual planning process at project level • Capacity building of local partner in grants portfolio management and donor compliance.

Monitoring and analysis of grants 30% • Track and identify NRGRANT and DUMMY expenditures and ensure timely reversals are done before the closure of the month • Monitor and analyse activities regularly and work with Senior Project Manager and team to resolve any issues identified in specific projects • Co-ordinate with Senior Project Manager and CFGM in order to ensure budgets are correctly allocated and phased-in. • Track and monitor grants expenditure • Support finance in grants reconciliations • Conduct projects field visits and spot checks

Assessment and compliance of systems, processes and partnerships 15% • Work with projects teams and partners to ensure adherence to both donor and Plan processes and procedures • Support in grants mapping, central filing and updating grants information in the grants management system • Participate in due diligence for implementing partners and review MOUs. • Conduct capacity building for partners on donor requirements • Coordinate grants “Kick off” meetings at project level. • Support timely close out processes for projects. • Provide information during grants audits and compliance reviews at project level. • Review of projects grant reports and liquidation of funds.

Finance Processes and Reporting: 10% • Prepare and deliver timely financial reports as per agreement and donor guidance. • Work with projects team to ensure adherence to both donor and Plan processes and procedures • Review grants payment requests and related transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with Plan Policies and donor conditions • Process all projects advances and approved liquidations in ERP. • Support local partner in financial report.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%) • Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Others (5%) • As assigned by the supervisor

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES • Courageous, taking a lead, challenging myself and others to achieve purpose, safeguard others and role model values, inside and outside work. Responsible for my work and learning, striving to improve. Self-aware, resilient and constructive in embracing change. Striving to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. Challenging myself to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

• Respecting all people, appreciating differences and challenging inequality in programmes and the workplace. Supporting children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

• Understanding Plan International’s purpose, priorities, values and approaches in our work context. Adhering to relevant policies, processes, practices and standards, and being pro-active in continuing technical and professional development

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES • Understands relevant sectoral context including how the sector operates in terms of funding and governance and awareness of Plan's purpose, values, and global strategy • Manages legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security. • Managing activities and resources including skills in planning and organising, financial and project management. • Managing people and information including skills in communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Qualifications/ experience essential: • Bachelor’s Degree in either business, social sciences or international development • At least CPA 2 or other equivalent professional qualification in accounting • Minimum 5 years’ experience in grants management or a similar role in INGO • Experience in award portfolio management and knowledge of major donors’ (USAID, DFID, Global Affairs Canada, EU, etc.) compliance requirements • Experience in supporting program teams • Problem solving skills to identify and lead the resolution of issues • Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills • Providing capacity building of partner organisations

Qualifications/ experience desirable: • Previous experience in SAP ERP or any recognised grants management system • Attention to detail and analytical skills • Planning, management and coordination skills • Experience in working with multicultural teams • Facilitation and training skills • Administration and effective communication skills • Ability to work and interact with others at all levels

Languages required • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Click on the below link to access the full Job Description:

JD Finance and Grants Coordinator - May 2024 - Final.pdf

Location: Turkana, Kenya Reports to: Senior Project Manager Closing Date: 12th June 2024

Qualified candidates who are residents of Turkana County are encouraged to apply.

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A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Disclaimer: Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any point of the recruitment process.