Accountant (Treasury Management) at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional grouping with 15 Member States in West Africa (three landlocked and one island) with a population of about 300million and an annual economic growth rate of around 6%. The ECOWAS Commission is one of the eight Regional Economic Communities supporting the African Union to coordinate the implementation of continental and regional integration and development programmes in the West African region.

We are currently seeking to employ suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Accountant (Treasury Management)

Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/004/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Finance
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant
Duration: Two years (with extension subject to “Staff Regulation” of the ECOWAS Commission, satisfactory performance and availability of funds)

Job Objective

• Reporting directly to the Principal Accountant (Cash & Banks), the Accountant, Treasury Management has responsibility for an efficient and effective management of the Commission’s funds.
• He should ensure that the Commission’s funds are managed and disbursed in accordance with the Financial Regulation of the ECOWAS Commission.

General Description

• A major responsibility of this position is spent in analysing finances of the Commission and proposing strategies for cost reduction.
• The Accountant (Treasury Management) oversees the organization’s investments. He also oversees financial operations such as lease financing if any, which includes analysing bid proposals, negotiating bid terms and determining how payments will work.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise the Treasury section and ensure that principles of management and safeguard of funds in the custody of the Commission are carried out in accordance with the Financial Regulations;
• Implement Accounting Policies and plans that ensure accounting practice in operation responds to adequate control over cash management of the organization;
• Oversee the preparation of Cash Flow statements to determine periodically, the net cash position of the Commission;
• Provides cash management and investment skills to help increase short-term and long- term financial value of the Commissions’ funds;
• Supervise, check and certify the accuracy of Bank reconciliation statements for all the Bank accounts of the Commission and ensure that they are safely filed for both the Internal and External Auditors;
• Liaise with the Banks and monitor, evaluate, investigate and document everyday financial transactions, and promptly resolve any errors or misstatements found on the Bank statements;
• Oversee the operation of the Treasury Unit and make proposals on the best form of investment for surplus funds at the level of the Commission;
• Supervise and ensure that staff working on bank reconciliations are provided with all the logistics necessary to achieve the objective;
• Take steps to propose changes or improvements to existing financial controls, financial and management reports that would enhance the treasury management system. Partner periodically with the accounting, audit and investment analysis staff to ensure that controls and internal procedures in treasury systems are adequate and operational;
• Monitor bank charges and income on investments and ensure that these are accurately reflected in the Accounts of the Commission;
• Carry out periodic surveys and recurrent review of bank charges and interest rates on investments;
• Represent the Finance Department at inter-departmental and inter-institutional meetings during the absence of the Director of Finance or as and when delegated;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• In addition, the incumbent would spend time on the supervision of the work of his/her staff including providing solutions to cash management problems and other treasury problems as they arise from time to time.
• Providing guidance, motivating and mentoring staff would be important to the success of this position.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (or equivalent qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Being a professional accountant (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA etc.) will be an added advantage.
• A higher degree will reduce the number of years of experience to three (3);
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluent) in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS Community (English, French and Portuguese). Good working knowledge of a second Community language will be an added advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of financial accounting principles and concepts including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Experience with EU Pillar Assessment on Internal Control and Accounting will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
• Ability to operate standard Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access)
• Good inter-personal skills and team working ability necessary to enable effective interaction in performing key financial activities of other team members and supervise their works, including peers. Proven record of experience in multicultural environments will be an added advantage.
• Ability to set and meet deadlines including strong ability to manage multiple tasks to completion and with set deadlines.
• Ability to make recommendations on key financial and managerial issues.

Language:

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.

Annual Salary
USD 36,901 - USD 44,469.

Application Closing Date
29th August, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form" below, fill the form and send it as an e-mail attachment along with their CV's to: ecorys@ecowas.int

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word Format)