Finance and Operations Manager

The Organisation

Plan International is a girls’ rights organization that partners with adolescents and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities. Working in more than 75 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s holistic, rights-based approach ensures that our project participants achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Our projects are designed in partnership with communities and strategically address systemic issues that often transcend sectors. As such, Plan demonstrates technical expertise across a range of intervention areas: education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection and youth economic empowerment. In addition, Plan has a robust humanitarian response and disaster preparedness practice. With extensive local networks and community reach, Plan drives positive change through broad community participation, achieving sustainable results by actively engaging and providing services to individuals, families, communities and governments. Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994.

Position Description

Plan International is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager for the anticipated USAID-funded Secondary Success Activity. The Finance and Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing project finances and administrative operations in accordance with relevant USAID rules and regulations and in line with Plan International’s financial and administrative management policy provisions. The Finance and Operations Manager will supervise grant management and financial reporting on grant performance and will ensure best use of resources by managing the preparation of sound budgets, monitoring project expenses, and assuring timely preparation of donor financial reports. The position is contingent upon award of the project by the donor.

Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight of financial and administrative management of the project in compliance with donor’s rules and regulations;
• Supervise all financial management to ensure best use of resources through sound budgeting, monitoring of project expenses, and timely preparation of donor financial reports;
• Manage a team of finance and operations staff, as designated
• Develop and implement monthly project-wide financial review(s) and analyses, as well as provide timely and reliable financial information for decision-making;
• Maintain strong internal policies, processes, and controls systems in order to provide timely, consistent and accurate financial and budget management;
• Develop strategic planning, work planning, and budgeting processes.
• Work closely with Plan International USA home office and Plan International Malawi country office staff on internal and external financial reviews and audits, working closely with project finance/grants/administrative staff and sub-grantees to ensure appropriate their implementation;
• Prepare financial reports for donors.

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in finance or financial management, and/or a professional qualification in accountancy. Bachelor’s degree with significant experience in project finance management may be accepted;
• Previous experience managing finances for USAID-funded projects;
• Extensive experience in financial management and/or project administration;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) applicable to USA accounting procedures and processes;
• In-depth knowledge of USAID financial management rules and regulations and other key USG regulations, including particularly USAID Regulation 2 CFR 200 (formerly 22 CFR 226), 22 CFR 228, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), AIDAR, and 2 CFR 230 (formerly OMB Circular A-122), and A-133 Audit of states, local governments, and non-profits;
• Familiarity with and ability to adopt new software and financial management systems;
• Excellent communication, supervision, management, and leadership skills;
• Proven analytical skills in isolating priorities and tackling them;
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender transformative programming and experience in implementing programs with gender-focused components;
• Work experience in Malawi or East Africa highly preferred;
• Fluency in English and excellent oral and written skills required.

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.

Location: Country Office, Lilongwe

Type of Role: Fixed Term

Reports to: Chief of Party

Grade: Level 16

Closing Date: 20 May 2024

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

Qualified females are encouraged to apply!

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

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.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.