Project Accountant (Finance Officer) at ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.

We are currently recruiting for the position below

Job Title: Project Accountant (Finance Officer)

Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/DUG-P/005/2014
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Social Affairs and Gender
Directorate: Gender, Youth, CSO, Employment, Drug Control
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant, External Funds
Duration: Twelve (12) months (extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds)

For financial management of the ECOWAS-EU/EDF Funds relating to the project “Support to ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Illicit Drug Trafficking, related Organized Crime and Drug Abuse in West Africa”. In this regard, s/he will work on a daily basis with the ECOWAS Drug Unit team.

Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Project Accountant will perform the following duties:

• Support the preparation of annual project work plans and budget and monitor their implementation.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and cash flow management including accurate forecast relating to the Project, in line with the approved accounting standards, guidelines and financial regulations.
• Oversee and ensure timely posting of transactions into the accounting software system and delivering of financial report as required.
• Make comparative evaluation of project budget with cost centers and indicate variance analysis over time and make reports available to superiors and relevant project stakeholders.
• Implement budgetary control procedures and ensure that expenditures approved for payment have been provided for in the approved budget.
• Oversee the preparation of bank reconciliation statements for the bank accounts of the Project
• Safeguard of all vouchers including supporting documents for review by both internal and external auditors
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business Administration
• A formal Professional Accountancy qualification (e.g. CA, ACCA, CIMA etc.) is also required.
• At least, five (5) years post qualification work experience. A higher degree will substitute for two-years of work experience
• A solid knowledge of accounting software systems, excel, power point, budgeting and strategic financial planning would be an added advantage
• Ability to work independently with high degree of integrity, responsibility and with minimal supervision
• Ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports at short notice
• Excellent communication and inter-personal relations skills (team player)

Age

• Candidate should not be 50 years old or over at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.

Language

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of ECOWAS: English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of second official language would be an advantage

Remuneration
Annual Salary: USD 36,901 - USD 44,469

Application Closing Date
2nd June, 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online