Project Accountant at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental 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 its girls who are most affected. Working 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 have been building powerful partnerships for children for 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. Child protection is key in all that we do.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and capacity building programmes focus primarily on Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Economic Security and Youth Empowerment, including Child Protection and Participation. Plan International Zambia has programme areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

We are looking for experienced, vibrant and self-starters to fill the following Positions:

PROJECT ACCOUNTANT – Temporal Position (Lusaka)

Position Description:

The Project Accountant reports to the Emergency Response Manger with a dotted Line to Country Finance Manager. The Project Accountant’s main role is to record, analyze, Report and Monitor all funding related to the Zambia Food Insecurity Response and ensure they are up to date and provide all necessary financial information for the activity.  The role will consolidate all accounting and treasury information from the Program Areas and country office departments. The incumbent will be guided by Plan Policies and Procedures and refers all major decisions to the ERM and Country Finance Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Providing financial technical support (Back stopping) to all staff working under the response.
• Supporting both External and Internal audits related to this Program by providing financial information and explanations during audits.
• To serve as an effective link among Finance, Business Development and the Response teams through offering effective support in financial matters.
• Ensuring that all costs related to the Program are properly allocated to correct funding source and charged in financial system
• Handling project advances and ensure proper accountability of funds for the response program
• Coordinate submission of time sheets for grant funding and ensuring proper completion in line with Donor requirements
• Review all Project Outlines to ensure correct Budgets, outputs and account lines have been included in the Work Break down Structure.
• Track all budget changes and ensure correct updated budgets are maintained in financial system and that activities are in line with plans.
• Ensure that all Grant funded POs and modifications are entered in Financial System and correctly mapped to funding source
• Maintain up to date Budget Follow up Template that tracks Budgets against spend per funding source.
• Perform detailed analytical review of Grants budget and Expenditure by effectively using SAP system and coordinate explanation of variances.

Qualifications:

• Full ACCA/CIMA
• 3 – 5 years’ experience in a similar role preferably in Emergency Response
• Well versed in computerised accounting applications including SAP system
• Financial and analytical skills
• Work under minimum supervision and takes initiatives
• Ability to work and manage work pressure within tight deadlines
• Good Computer skills
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Good understanding of Donor rules and regulations
• Good interpersonal skills

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