The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver through, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of the vacant project position ofAssistant Finance Officer (various projects) in the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Inter-African Bureau for Animal Health Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU- IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU).
The Commission of the African Union invites citizens of Member States to apply for the below specified position at the Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources in Nairobi, Kenya.
* This position is Local due to limited budget. ONLY residents in Kenya can apply to this position.
Post
Job Title: Assistant Finance Officer
Grade: P1, Step 5 (LOCAL)
Immediate Supervisor: Finance Officer (Projects), AU-IBAR
Second Supervisor: Senior Finance Officer
Duty Station: AU-IBAR: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture
Grade: P1, Step 5 (LOCAL)
Immediate Supervisor: Finance Officer (Projects), AU-IBAR
Second Supervisor: Senior Finance Officer
Duty Station: AU-IBAR: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture
Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Finance officer is responsible for ensuring accurate project financial tracking, recording, reporting on donor funded projects and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements. The Finance Officer works closely with the Project Coordinator(s) on all budget, finance and compliance matters such as forecasts, budget realignments, pipeline analysis, financial reports review, etc. The Finance Officer will play a key role in establishing necessary financial procedures and reinforcing internal controls. S/he will provide training and ongoing support to Partners and Regional Economic Communities (REC) Offices in understanding donor financial compliance, identifying financial risks and other best practices related to project financial management.
In particular the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Financial Reporting
- Prepares financial reports for assigned project.
- Training of partners’ finance staff.
- Request and monitors receipt of monthly financial reports from the different partners, including RECs and Member State.
- Review and Reconcile quarterly partner reports to be posted in the SAP system, including the reconciliation of unliquidated advances.
- Prepare any required ad hoc reports for donors—e.g. Statement of Allotment, requests for financial information, pipeline analysis, etc.
- Prepare and maintain internal documents to support donor financial reports.
- Review all project financial documentation for compliance—e.g. costs charged to specific project including travel expense reports, consultant agreements, personnel allocation (time sheets), etc.
- Financial Management
- Works collaboratively with Project Coordinator(s) to review and oversee project budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for donors and actively contributes to the project risk reviews.
- Monitors project burn rates against the total award budget and against the work plan budget. Discuss project financial performance with the Project Coordinator(s).
- Assures appropriate explanations for variances on budget versus expenditure reports and notifies the Project Coordinator(s) of any financial issues.
- Keeps track of AU-IBAR project covered costs in the donor budget to maximize cost recovery in accordance with the donor rules.
- Works closely with the partners to resolve any financial related issues and follows up on open points to ensure they are resolved.
- Maintains up-to-date and accurate financial records on all partners contracts.
- Ensures the completion of financial closeout process for projects and partners contracts.
- Supports the Project Coordinators and partners’ staff on the project budget management throughout the life of the projects.
- Visit partners to provide support in preparation for audits and any other financial support as deemed necessary.
- Provide responses to internal and external audit queries and ensure that audit recommendations are implemented.
- Assist Project Coordinator(s) with the revenue projections for the project budget.
- Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
Educational Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/ Finance. Master’s degree is an asset.
- ACCA / CPA will be an added advantage.
Work Experience
- Minimum of five years’ experience in accounting and financial management of donors’ budget and regulatory compliance.
- Experience in International organizations is an added advantage.
- Not-for-profit accounting experience - Field experience is an asset.
Other Relevant Skills
- Ability to work with minimal direction and to initiate activities and identify organizational needs related to responsibilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures across all levels of the organization.
- Superior analytical skills, giving attention to details, and strong work ethics.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information.
- Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet tight deadlines.
- Proficiency in computer software particularly Microsoft Office and SAP.
- Thorough knowledge of and experience with financial reporting, especially with regard to IPSAS compliant reporting.
- Positive attitude, desire to be part of a diverse team, and commitment to AUC mission.
Language Requirement
Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a short term contract for a period of eleven (11) months, of which the first three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract shall be renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU- IBAR is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 50,540.59 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website . Not later than 5th May 2016.
Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
