The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Head of Accounting Budget and Financial Management Division (AfCFTA)
Requisition ID: 1863
Location: Accra, Ghana
Contract Type: Regular
Reports to: Director of Finance
Directorate / Department : Directorate of Finance (AfCFTA)
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 25
Job Grade: P5
Purpose of Job
- Lead the development and implementation of accounting, budgetary and financial management policies, strategies, procedures and process within AfCFTA.
Main Functions
- Guides the preparation and implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS)
- Establish accounting, budget and financial management functions
- Supervises and manages the division’s employees in the implementation of activities and the evaluation of performance
- Develops strategies and policies consistent with the department’s objective to address relevant issues in the field
- Contributes to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensures its implementation at the divisional level
- Ensures risk management and mitigation
- Designs and plans policy programs to achieve strategies
- Provide support for the development of the resource mobilization strategy with stakeholder coordination
- Develops new activities and expands existing activities as components of strategies and policies;
- Work with internal and external stakeholders
- Manage the investment of AfCFTA excesses funds in accordance AU Financial Rules;
- Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
- Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.
Specific Responsibilities
- Manages a complete financial operation, encompassing a wide variety of Member States and Partner Funds, with a large volume of grants in, grants out, implementing partners, and inter-office transactions, and extensive dispersed activities;
- Manage all aspects of the monthly, quarterly and year-end closure of accounts including development and implementation of detailed closure instructions;
- Provide expert guidance and advice to management in the area of financial accounting, interpretation and operational guidance on the application of the IPSAS and African Union Financial Rules (AU FR);
- Acts as AfCFTA focal point and responds to internal/external audit observations and liaises with clients and other relevant entities on audit issues;
- Lead the development and implementation of new accounting systems. Takes initiative to improve accounting processes and approaches;
- Coordinate and supervise all accounting transactions including the periodic production of management accounts and IPSAS compliant financial statements;
- Manage the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the budget;
- Periodically reviews program budgets to analyze trends affecting budgetary needs. Prepares comparative analyses of programs by analyzing costs and recommendations for budget revisions;
- Promote best management systems and practices, develop internal controls, as well as ensure transparency and the obligation to justify expenditure.
- Ensure the proper application of the Financial Rules, Staff Regulations and Rules of the African Union and policies and procedures of management established by AfCFTA.
- Oversee timely payment of transactions;
- Maintain an efficient system of policies and procedures that impose an adequate level of control over treasury activities and provide support for regulatory reporting;
- Liaise and consult with oversight bodies such as Board of External Auditors, Office of Internal Oversight and Policy Organs to ensure implementation of their recommendations as appropriate;
- Supervises and manages the Division’s staff in terms of organization and performance evaluation;
- Coordinate risk management activities across AfCFTA;
- Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate Supervisor.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with 12 years progressive responsible experience in managing finance functions out of which 7 at managerial level and 5 years at supervisory level.
- A professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, Expert Comptable or equivalent is an added advantage;
- Previous experience in establishing functional Finance Function (Accounting, Budget and Disbursement/Treasury) is required;
- Working experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and financial statement preparation (general and special purpose) in large international organization is required;
- Demonstrate high level understanding of budgetary process, management of Development Partner’s funds and relationships;
- In-depth understanding and experience in developing financial rules/policies, managing risk and implementing effective internal controls,
- Hands-on experience working with enterprise resources management (ERP) systems, particularly SAP is an asset.
Required Skills:
- A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
- Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
- Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, that are consistent with agreed strategies
- Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
- Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
- High degree of independence, maturity and initiative
- Ability to handle challenging questions and difficult stakeholders
- Ability to manage time and prioritize work
- Be flexible, adaptable and open to change
- Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage;
Leadership competencies:
- Strategic Perspective
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk.
Core competencies:
- Building Relationships
- Foster Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with impact.
Functional competencies:
- Conceptual Thinking
- Job Knowledge and information sharing
- Drive for Results
- Fosters Innovation.
Tenure of Appointment
- The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period
- Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.
Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of USD50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), Housing allowance USD27,290.88.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.
Application Closing Date
10th July, 2023.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Note
- Only candidates who have meet all the requirements of the post and have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted
- Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered
- The Africa Union is an equal-opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
- Gender Mainstreaming: The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.