Finance and Grants Officer Full Time

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Finance and Grants Officer

Sector: Public Financial Management and Administration/Climate Financing

Position Type: Full time

Duration/Level of Effort: Up to a Five-year term

Position Location: In-Person

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

Strengthening Investments in Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA) will advance climate action and inclusive governance in Ghana while applying GAC’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. The Project will improve the resilience of Ghanaian citizens, particularly women, girls, and vulnerable groups, through increased investments in inclusive and gender-responsive climate adaptation initiatives. Activities include the delivery of technical assistance and support to strengthen governance and national systems with key central level Ministries, Departments, and Agencies while providing direct grants to five MMDAs funding local gender responsive climate adaptation projects. The latter will strengthen the participation, voice, and influence of women led CSOs in government decision-making. SIGRA will also support regional government stakeholders in the Northern and Volta regions and strengthen the ability of targeted MMDAs to plan, implement, and report on climate adaptation initiatives.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Reporting to the Deputy Team Leader (DTL) for Operations, the Finance and Grants Officer (FGO) will be responsible for ensuring effective and transparent financial, accounting, grant and procurement procedures and reporting. The FGO will work closely with the DTL and the Project Finance Officer (PFO) in Ottawa to ensure that SIGRA is implemented with sound financial, accounting, and administrative principles in line with Global affairs Canada’s procedures. Key responsibilities include the development and maintenance of financial, procurement and grant guidelines, processes, and systems; support for annual planning, budgeting processes and report preparation and the day-to-day financial management of the project, including processing and accounting for financial transactions. The position will have a particular focus on tracking the disbursement of the project’s sub-grants to the project’s targeted Districts as well as monitor and report on their use.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Inception Phase

·         Contribute to all activities as required to set up the Project office in Accra, including management of relevant procurement processes.

·         In collaboration with the DTL, Team Leader (TL) and HQ PFO establish and implement financial/administrative processes, procedures and operations, including the development of, cost/expense guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other program management policy manuals and tools to ensure overall transparency and efficiency of systems and processes, in compliance with GAC and Cowater safeguards and policies.

·         Support the development of the Y1 annual budget and contribute to the development of the Project Implementation Plan as necessary.

Project Financial Management  

·         Support the development of project’s budget, working closely with the DTL, TL and HQ PFO.

·         Work closely with the DTL, TL and HQ PFO in maintaining accurate monthly and quarterly cash forecasts to ensure adequate resources are advanced to the project office to implement the project.

·         Work with the HQ PFO to develop monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.

·         Under the guidance of the DTL Operations, develop and implement an effective financial management and accounting system, including fraud control and audit procedures that support monthly financial acquittal and reporting.

·         Prepare monthly fund requests for HQ and manage cashflow according to monthly budgets.

·         Ensure the processing of payment requests in line with financial procedures, the accurate recording of all expenditure in the financial information system, as well as the production of monthly financial reports and banking reconciliations.

·         Oversee and manage procurement plans and strategies in collaboration with the DTL to manage tender activities—including development of scope of services, specifications, basis of payments and forms of contract—in accordance with Project guidelines.

·         Work closely with DLT to oversee the conduct of all external audits including statutory audit and the implementations of audit findings and recommendations.

Grants Management   

·         Under the guidance of the DTL Operations, support the development and implementation of the sub-grant procedures/processes and ensure the establishment of a sub-grants tracking system to monitor the status of these funds;

·         Work with the technical implementation team, and especially the Local Governance and Field Implementation Specialist, to track related results from the sub-grants in terms of investments at district level while proactively managing related risks.

·         Provide review and verification of proposed grant disbursement system and capacity support to ensure accounting systems and practices are sound, adhere to best practices and monitor adherence to internal controls, including Partners’ management of grants.

·         Conduct regular financial and grants analysis to inform management decision-making and reporting and ensure effective implementation.

·         Conduct field monitoring and support visits to Grant Partners to ensure compliance and appropriate utilization of funds disbursed.

·         Oversee audit and fraud investigations.

·         Conduct financial management and fraud control training for partners and Project staff.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:  

·         A degree in business administration, Finance, Accounting, or another relevant field. An accounting certification a strong advantage.

·         Minimum of level II in any recognised accounting qualification.

Minimum Experience: 

·         Minimum 5 years experience as a finance officer.

·         Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in grant and fund management for donor-funded programs. Experience implementing project’s funded by the Canadian government an advantage.

·         Strong experience designing program/financial management systems and administrative procedures.

Key Abilities: 

·         Strong accounting and financial management skills with a track record managing grants to third party organizations.

·         Proven procurement skills including tendering, supplier selection, and contracting.

·         Knowledge of public sector accounting and financial reporting processes an asset.

·         Excellent understanding of international development funding requirements, related procurement and program management procedures, and associated grant making procedures.

·         Ability to analyze, plan and develop appropriate responses to complex situations and highly developed problem-solving skills.

·         Good knowledge of environmental protection and climate change.

·         Good knowledge of gender equality and inclusion.

·         Highly advanced English writing skills.

·         Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT) and standard accounting software.

Language Proficiency: English

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by August 4^th, 2023.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company founded in 1985. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and with corporate hubs in Montreal, Canada, Brussels, Belgium, and London UK. Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements, and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.