Internal controller

Role Purpose

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

Dimensions of the Role

• Area of Responsibility – Countrywide.
• Located at Country level and reports to Country Director.
• Programs and Finance systems, processes for compliance and management information.
• Risk Management and support for the proper functioning of all Plan systems.

Responsibilities of the Post Holder (but noT limited to)

Internal Control

• Develops (in consultation with the Internal Controller), coordinates and implements a comprehensive internal control (audit) schedule that ensures regular coverage of every program unit and projects
• Participates in other sensitive reviews and investigations as assigned
• Prepares reports for the supervisor on internal control assignments undertaken
• Participates in the design of all tools required for the internal control work (working papers, reporting format and protocols, etc)
• Participates in any required self-assessment exercises on the effectiveness of internal controls
• Advises and supports the Sub-Offices in the strengthening of internal controls, systems and processes
• Facilitates the sharing of learning, based on best practices within the organization as well as on best practices from the programs and Projects
• Actively participates in any audit networks in the country concerning internal controls and risk management
• Contributes to the induction of new staff members upon request on risk management, the control framework and the role of internal control

Partner Risk Management

• Participates when the due diligence is carried out on all potential partners, including administrative and financial capacity assessment
• Support the monitoring of actions taken to address weaknesses identified through partner due diligence
• Performs partner audits at Unit Program level to ensure compliance with donor and Plan rules and regulations

External Audits Actions

• Monitors actions taken by management in response to external audits at Sub-offices level and reviews, ensuring that all such actions are implemented and reported as agreed and on a timely basis

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 at Sub-Offices level and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Qualification, Experience and Knowledge:

• Have at least Bac+5 years’ degree in Audit
• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar role, including experience in auditing NGOs
• Fair knowledge in grants and project management
• Knowledge and use of accounting software (Preferably SAP)

Skills:

• Ability to train and mentor staff, partners and communities.
• Good analytical and synthesis skills.
• Ability to study and quickly understand new operating environment and organizational systems.
• Good communication skills (written and oral).
• Good listening and interviewing skills.
• Independence and objectivity, you should be able to work with minimum supervision
• Organized, methodical and meticulous.

Attitudes:

• Influencing staff to improve performance.
• Promoting high performance.
• Open to feedback and willing to try new approaches and processes.
• Having excellent team spirit.
• Promotes innovation, learning and transparency.
• Communicates effectively and enthusiastically as appropriate to audience.
• Behaves consistently in their approach to work and decision-making.

Demonstrated behaviours needed by the post holder to successfully perform the role.

• Communicates clearly and effectively.
• Ability to facilitate participative processes for all stakeholders for implementing grant projects.
• Strong team building skills, Organized and methodical.
• Independence, objectivity and integrity.

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice:

• Good supervisory & coordination skills and ability to deliver to tight deadlines.
• Fair knowledge of project planning, management, supervision, monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Excellent and demonstrable experience in audit, grant and financial management.
• Knowledge and understanding of Central African Republic’s policy environment
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including good listening skills, influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.

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

The position is located in Bangui. It entails more than 20% travelling within the sub offices implementing area and visits to Partner Organizations.

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction.

The job responsibility of this position does not require the post holder to have any one-to-one contact with children on a daily basis. There would be occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.