Finance and Grants Expert

Finance and Grants Expert

Functional Area: Finance and Operations

Reports to: Team Leader/Project Manager

Location: Kathmandu

Travel required: Yes

Grade: D2

Type: Fixed term contract of 3.5 years based in Kathmandu

ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL

Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners in over 75 countries. Our programs are underpinned by a core of defined values, including transparency and accountability, team collaboration, inclusion and integration, as well as the overall ambition to empower girls and young women as legacy.

Plan International has been working in Nepal since 1978 and developed a strong reputation as a respected development and humanitarian actor helping marginalized children, their families and communities to access their rights to health, education, economic security and protection. Through the support of local partners, Plan International has worked in 42 districts in Nepal since 1978.

Plan International strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Our ambition from now to 2027 is to see All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change.

RIVA (Rights, Inclusion, Voice and Advocacy in Nepal) is a 3.5-year programme that will empower women, girls, and excluded groups in Nepal to understand and claim their Rights individually and collectively, participate in Inclusive policymaking and implementation, and have a stronger Voice and Agency at both national and local levels to advance Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). RIVA will strengthen the capacities of diverse and intersecting Women Rights Organisations (WROs) and Civil Society Organisation’s (CSOs) through the provision of flexible, multi-year funding and catalytic enabling grants. It will help foster an enabling environment in Nepal, increasing collectivisation and exchange between organisations to support movement building and social norm change across BEK three priority provinces. RIVA will provide strategic demand-led TA to mainstream GEDSI effectively across BEK’s portfolio and bring about GEDSI transformative initiatives.

At the impact level RIVA will contribute to: A diverse, vibrant, and sustainable civil society that promotes the needs and lived realities of the most excluded and strengthens the social contract, resilience, and stability in Nepal.

At the outcome level RIVA will contribute to: Women, girls, and excluded groups in Nepal are empowered to understand and claim their Rights individually and collectively, participate in Inclusive policy-making and implementation, and have a stronger Voice and Agency at both national and local levels to advance GEDSI.

Plan international Nepal seeks candidates who practice feminist leadership, promote diversity, actively seek innovative solutions for problems, courageously and respectfully share their opinions and ideas, break down barriers and engender cross-department collaboration, practice active listening, maintain confidentiality, build trust and are passionate about children’s rights and equality for girls.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Finance and Grants Expert will oversee the project’s financial health, ensuring adherence to budgets and regulations. Key responsibilities include strategic financial planning, rigorous budget management, and strict grant compliance. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational skills and a deep understanding of grant regulations. S/he will also be responsible for monitoring the financial performance of implementing partners and building their capacity. Additionally, s/he will oversee project administration, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures. This role is critical in providing essential financial insights, accurate forecasting, and supporting informed decision-making.

Description
DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Reports to: Team Leader/ Project Manager

Budget Accountability: 1 million GBP

Number of direct reports: TBD

External relationships and representation

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Financial & Budget Management

• Oversee the implementation of financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, FCDO regulations, Plan International’s standards and local government regulations.
• Review payment documents for completeness, accuracy, allocation and ensure expenses are chargeable to the project.
• Oversee the project’s financial management and preparation and submission of financial reports, budgets and other cost-accounting reports.
• Work in close coordination with Plan International UK national office for budgeting, reporting and financial management activities as needed.
• Ensure any foreign taxes paid are tracked, recorded, and reported to FCDO in accordance with the guidelines.
• Review and monitor budget to support financial stability, efficiency, and value for money. Analyze spending trends and provide recommendations to senior management team on areas with significant over or under spending.
• Review project budgets and monitor project expenditure in line with budget by maintaining a budget tracking/reporting system (pipeline report)
• Work with the project team to develop and coordinate the annual budgeting process. Support the team by developing formats and procedures for submission of budgets and forecasts.
• Anticipates, and evaluates current and emerging financial risks, develops and implements mitigation strategies.
• Review documents for VAT reimbursement, ensure eligibility and liaise with FCDO/ Inland revenue Department as appropriate.
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with finance and operations staff at all levels throughout the project; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Perform regular spot check on project documentation to ensure audit readiness.
• Manage and prepare for project audits, support responses and action as needed.
• Provide support during the audit process by furnishing the documents required.

Administrative Management

• Coordinate the implementation procurement procedures; review documents of technical and cost evaluations; and perform due diligence for awarded procurements.
• Ensure proper use of project assets/inventory including vehicles. Ensure they are clear Standard Operating Procedures for use in the project.
• Ensure effective program start-up including developing necessary tools, templates and manuals for use by project team and the partners.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of organizations policies and procedures and identify areas where policies, procedures and/or practices may not align with project practice and advise senior management with recommendations.

Partnership Management and Support

• Monitor and oversee all procedures for the development and issuance of grants and sub wards with local partners.
• Monitor all procedures for management of the funds provided to project partner organizations. Regular review of partner’s financial report to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Assess capacity development needs and develop capacity strengthening plans. Provide technical support and training to strengthen their financial and administrative capacities.
• Conduct periodic visit to partner’s office reviewing their control system, supporting documents to ensure compliance with the applicable policies and procedures. Support partners in preparing action plans for identified risks/weakness. Monitor to ensure actions plan are implemented on time.
• Ensure proper maintenance of partner’s agreement file and report.

Any other tasks as assigned by line manager in accordance to organizational mandate and priority.

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 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.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Education Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in relevant financial or international development field, Professional degree such as CA/ACCA/CPA is highly preferable.
• Minimum of 5-7 years in similar financial, compliance, or operational role. Prior experience supporting FCDO funded project is required.
• Experience with budgeting and financial reporting requirements on high value projects.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures.

Skills Required

• Sound knowledge of budget development and spreadsheet maintenance and financial reporting.
• Ability to prioritize, work independently, understand and apply policies and procedures.
• Sound knowledge of income tax Act and VAT rules in relation to TDS and remuneration tax and tax return files.
• Strong organizational, communications, and interpersonal skills and ability to network and maintain effective working relationships with diverse team.
• Ability to develop finance management capacity in others and promote the importance of solid financial controls internally and to partners.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to solve complex problems.
• Ability to write, communicate, and prepare contractual documents clearly in English.
• Demonstrated analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

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 in Kathmandu, with frequent travel to project locations as necessary.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Low Level: Less interaction with children

“Say Yes ! To Keeping Children and Young people safe and Protected”

Application Deadline: Thursday 19th Dec, 2024

Source: Kantipur Dainik, 6 December, 2024