Finance Officer - Budget, AfCFTA at the African Union (AU)

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 Organisation 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: Finance Officer - Budget, AfCFTA

Requisition ID: 1099
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Principal Budget Planning and Programme Reporting Officer
Directorate/Department: Finance
Division: Accounting, Budget  and Financial Management
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To provide technical support in budget preparation, resource planning, budget administration and reporting. 

Main Functions

• Research and recommend new developments on areas of improvement in budget matters and policies 
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AfCFTA’s internal use. 
• Assist in the following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan. 
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas. 
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders. 
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships 
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets. 
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division 
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders 

Specific Responsibilities
Budget Formulation and Resource Planning:

• Ensure legislative mandates of AfCFTA are accurately translated into operational and programme budgets;
• Draft guidance for budget preparation and execution and ensure close coordination of requirements with managers;
• Prepare cost estimates, reviews and analyses data to facilitate formulation of budget proposals;
• Consolidate all program and operational budget submissions from all Divisions; 
• Support the Director of Finance, Head of Division and Head of Unit to defend the budget upon presentation to AU Policy Organs; 
• Provide policy advice to managers on budgetary and financial matters to facilitate sound budget submissions;

Budget administration:

• Ensure that expenditures are incurred in compliance with the financial policy framework of African Union;
• Monitor budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds, when necessary, to managers;
• Monitor budget expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels, and recommends corrective actions;
• Review all requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and ensures availability of funds. With delegated authority, certifies the funds availability in line with approved budget and activities; 
• Prepare monthly budget expenditure reports for management decision making; with variance analysis and explanation;
• Prepare budget execution for the policy organs consideration; with recommendations on challenges experienced;
• Consolidate all requests for budget re-allocation and submits for approval including a report to policy organ;
• Review all submissions for supplementary budget against set criteria in line with the AU Financial rules and regulations; 
• Prepare the mid-year budget performance review.

Other:

• Provide support in the financial management of Partner Funds of AfCFTA. Provide relevant information to the Accounting Unit for the preparation of general and special purpose financial statements for various stakeholders including Office Internal Oversight (OIO) and Board of External Auditors (BOEA);
• Provide audit support in the assigned area and respond to audit queries.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide objective performance appraisal reports;
• Perform other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor. 
• Draft guidance for budget preparation and execution and ensure close coordination of requirements with managers;
• Coordinate budget preparation, reallocation/virement and supplementary budget;
• Review, consolidate and compile the draft budget proposals of various Divisions;
• Manage and monitor budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary;
• Provide technical advice to Divisions on budgetary matters;
• Provide data for the preparation of year-end performance reports.
• Undertake research and analysis of financial and budgetary policies and practices and makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications to achieve efficiency and optimization of resources.
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned. 

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with 5 years of relevant work experience in a national or international organization. Or
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a national or international organization. 
• A professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, Expert Comptable or equivalent will be added advantage.
• Hands-on experience in budget preparation and administration in an international organization is desirable;
• Experience with financial systems/finance module of enterprise resource planning (ERP) such as SAP, or similar ERP is required.
• Advance knowledge in the application of Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Planning and organizational skills
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development 
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and  fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.
• Strategic Insight.
• Developing Others.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Accountable and Complies with Rules.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.
• Drive for results.
• Continuous improvement focus.

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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (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
9th May, 2022.