Job Vacancies @ Plan International, Sierra Leone – Internal Control Officer

Job Description

Plan International Sierra Leone

Job Announcement (1 Position for nationals only) 

2-03-2022 Internal Control Officer

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.

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 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 over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

We are currently seeking to recruit:

Title:                Internal Control Officer

Grade: C2

Location:         80% within the different operational sites & 20% on office-related activities at the Country Office

Reports to:      Risk Management and Internal Control Manager

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Internal Control function is part of the second line of defense, supporting the implementation of effective risk management through monitoring the functioning of the country’s internal controls to ensure that they comply with organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines.  Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating all internal and external audits and following up on audit action lists on the Integrated School Feeding Project.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

• Reports to the Risk Management and Internal control Manager, with a dotted line to the Country Director and Team Leader Integrated School Feeding Programme (ISFP).
• Acts as the focal point for regular monitoring on the implementation of the Integrated School Feeding Programme (ISFP)
• Budget responsibility limited to area specific matters

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Internal Control

• Coordinates and implements (in consultation with the Risk Management and Internal Control Manager) a comprehensive internal control (audit) schedule.
• Participates in the design of all tools required for the internal control work (Term of Reference (ToR), work plans, reporting format, protocols, etc.) to enable the satisfactory execution of internal control assignments.
• Prepares reports for management on internal control assignments undertaken
• Facilitates any required self-assessment exercises on the effectiveness of internal controls
• Advises and supports the Risk Management and Internal Control Manager in the strengthening of internal controls, systems, and processes, including training and development, needs to address control gaps
• Conduct monthly monitoring on a sampled bases the implementation of the Integrated School feeding project and report your findings to the Risk Management and Internal Control Manager
• Facilitates the sharing of learning, based on best practices within the organization as well as on best practices
• Actively participates in any regional internal control/audit networks as well as relevant external networks concerning internal controls and risk management
• Drives the testing of the internal control system in place for robustness, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Conducts half-yearly inventory of Plan assets.
• Reviews of the procurement process to determine the level of risk and propose actions to mitigate them.
• Conducts yearly verification of suppliers list before approval by management
• Undertakes the review of fleet management to assure management of effective and efficient use of its vehicles for Plan business.
• Review contracts, MoUs, funding agreements in conformity with approved procedures and laws.
• Responsible for the quarterly review of advances and their liquidation in advance reports.
• Performs/participates in other sensitive reviews and investigations as assigned

Partner Risk Management

• Responsible for the review of partners (LNGOs) activities (deliverables, reporting) about MoU/Funding Agreements signed with Plan every quarter
• Monitors whether appropriate due diligence is carried out on all potential partners, including financial capacity assessment, ISFP Commodity handling, and anti-terrorism screening
• Supports training and capacity-building of partners on internal controls
• Monitors actions taken to address weaknesses identified from due diligence(s) conducted on partners
• Coordinates/performs partner audits to ensure compliance with donor and Plan rules and regulations

External Audits and Reviews

• Acts as the focal point for all external audits, facilitating the timely provision of documents and information as required by external auditors/reviewers
• Monitors actions taken by management in response to external audits and reviews, ensuring that all such actions are implemented and reported as agreed and on a timely basis

Risk Management

• Acts as the focal point for regular updates provided by management in the Country Risk Register
• Tracks progress of agreed actions to mitigate risks
• Acts as the focal point for Promoting Enhanced Transparency, Accountability and Learning initiative (PETAL) for tracking implementation of management actions designed to ensure more effective fraud prevention, detection, and anticipation, to achieve greater transparency in operations, and to improve accountability to stakeholders

Child & Youth Safeguarding, and Gender Equality & Inclusion Policy Implementation

Ensures that the global policies on Safeguarding Children & Young People and Gender Equality & Inclusion are monitored and effectively implemented and that any concerns are reported and managed by the appropriate procedures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal 

• Risk Management and Internal Control Manager

• Management team – Integrated School Feeding Programme (ISFP)

• All CO staff including Managers/supervisors

• Internal controllers and Global Assurance team in the WACA region

External

• Implementing Partners
• Suppliers/Service providers
• External auditors commissioned by Plan or donor to audit projects sponsored by the donors.
• Relevant professional internal audit/risk management networks.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualification and Experience:

Essential

• First degree in auditing/ accounting/finance/management or equivalent.
• At least 3 years experience in internal audit
• Good analytical skills
• Good interpersonal skills (open-minded, diplomatic)
• Ability to remain calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence
• Good listener with strong advisory skills
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Organised, methodical and meticulous.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in accounting/auditing
• First-hand experience and knowledge of working in the development sector –external /internal auditing
• Familiarity with project management and development sector donor requirements
• Knowledge of Sierra Leone legal and regulatory environment
• Understanding of Risk Management concepts
• Facilitation and coaching skills.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

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.

Ensure staff understand Plan International’s commitment to driving a feminist agenda within the organization, and the ambition for gender equality and gender transformative leadership is embedded in our value-based leadership framework.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES 

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.

Applications: 

Last date for submission of Application (CV and cover letter) is: 15^th March 2022 by 5:00 pm

Your application should include:
·         A cover letter
·         A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current of 

           most recent supervisor Send applications to the below link:

 [email protected]

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted. References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People’s Policy.

Plan International follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

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