Job Vacancy at Plan International – Internal Control Coordinator

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation 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's 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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Sierra Leone is seeking to recruit top-notch professional to fulfil the position of

Internal Control Coordinator (national position) based at the Country Office-Freetown to deliver the tasks outlined below:

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 these comply with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating all external audits, following up on audit action lists, facilitating partner due diligence and assessments, and coordinating risk management reviews.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

• Reports to the Risk Management and Internal Control Manager
• Assist the Risk Management and Internal Control Manager to updates the Country Risk Register on a quarterly basis
• To assure management of compliance to Plan's policies and procedures in all its transactions and across all departments (Programs, grants, Human resources, Finance and Administration sponsorship)
• This position does not supervise any other position but will work with the various department to ensure both Plan's activities and the ones entrusted to implementing partners comply with Plan's policies and procedures.

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 and 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
• Facilitates the sharing of learning, based on best practices within the organisation 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 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.
• Reviews contracts, MoUs, funding agreements in conformity with approved procedures and laws.
• Responsible for the quarterly review of advances and their liquidation in advance reports.
• Physical verification of at least twenty (20) sponsored children per quarter in each Program Implementation and Influencing Area (PIIA).
• Performs/participates in other sensitive reviews and investigations as assigned.

Partner Risk Management

• Responsible for the review of partners (LNGOs) activities (deliverables, reporting) in relations to MoU/Funding Agreements signed with Plan on a quarterly basis
• Monitors whether appropriate due diligence is carried out on all potential partners, including financial capacity assessment and anti-terrorism screening
• Supports training and capacity-building of partners on internal controls

• Monitors actions taken to address weaknesses identified through partner due diligence
• Coordinates/performs partner audits to ensure compliance with donor and Plan rules and regulations.

External Audits and Reviews

• Acts as focal point for all external audits, facilitating 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 focal point for regular updates by management of the Country Risk Register
• Tracks progress of agreed actions to mitigate risks
• Acts as 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 concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures .

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: (i) Risk Management and Internal Control Manager (ii) All CO staff including Managers/supervisors (iii) Internal controllers and Global Assurance team in the WACA region

External: (i) Implementing Partners

(ii) Suppliers/Service providers-interact with all those who do business with Plan International Sierra Leone

(iii) External auditors commissioned by Plan or donor to audit projects sponsored by the donors

(iv) Relevant professional internal audit/risk management networks.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential Skills

• First degree in auditing/ Accounting/finance/management/ ACCA 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 development sector
• Familiarity with project management and development sector donor requirements
• Knowledge of [country] legal and regulatory environment
• Understanding of Risk Management concepts
• Facilitation and coaching skills.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The incumbent will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with 80% travel within the project offices and project/programme areas.

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.

'Apply' Your application should include:

• A cover letter
• A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent supervisor 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.

Location: Country Office

Type of Role: Internal Control Coordinator (national position)

Reports to: Risk Management and Internal Control Manager

Grade: D1

Closing Date: 13th April,2021

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

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

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.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.