Assistant Accountant - FMD 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 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: Assistant Accountant - FMD

Requisition ID: 1516
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Finance Officer    
Directorate/Department : Finance
Division : Financial Management
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: GSA5
Number of Positions: 2
Contract Type: Regular 

Purpose of Job

• To provide operational support in financial, accounting, administrative and treasury services in order to meet legislative requirements and support AU operations.

Main Functions

• Provides timely operational support;
• Participates in activity planning of the division;
• Prepares operational work schedules and follow up implementation;  
• Coordinates and/or engage in technical assistance and/or logistical work;
• Assists in the creation, improvement and maintenance of operational processes and systems;
• Prepares office communication and draft reports;
• Handles communication at operational level and provide update;
• Compiles  and maintains data and information for preparation, implementation and monitoring of budgets, activities etc.

Specific Responsibilities

• Collects and collates DSA payables (Airline and agents) in readiness for posting/release
• Gathers imprests in readiness for payment
• Collates and vets inter office payables prior to release
• Process interbank Transfers
• Maintains data veracity in SAP
• Service Missions and process all other payables
• Reviews documents for completeness and process all payables (PTSD);
• Process all inter office payments and undertakes Continuous Vendor clearing
• Periodically review all open items in vendors and take appropriate action as required
• Process VAT and Telephone receivable claims
• Safeguards all vouchers including supporting documents for review by both internal and external auditors;
• Provides support in the preparation of financial reports and assists in performance of various clerical duties;
• Settles imprest, travel claims and other advances for Partners funded programmes;  
• Ensures ageing analysis of imprest and travel claims on a regular basis to keep clean and up to date;
• Prepares responses to external and internal audit queries and assist in the implementation of audit findings;  
• Posts journal entries into the SAP system and reconcile interoffice accounts;  
• Analyses and uploads bank data onto the SAP Bank Module from prepared excel files;
• Participates in the preparation of Bank reconciliation reports;  
• Investigates and follow up all outstanding items on statement reports of bank reconciliation;  
• Follows-up with internal and external audit reports related to any reconciliation issues raised in reports;
• Follows-up periodic currency revaluation procedures on SAP system;  
• Processes and verify all bank payment and ensure that the accompanying supporting documents are complete and accurate;  
• Processes monthly payroll and related staff emoluments;  
• Keeps and updates financial records of the office;  
• Maintains updated Personnel data (staff contract, leave management, up-to-date personnel information…);  
• Maintains up to date files for service providers/contracts;  
• Journalize monthly exchange and bank charges on the various payments effected through Foreign and Local bank accounts;  
• Adjusts the local bank balance at the end of each month;  
• Prepares Financial Statements to be audited;  
• Prepares Financial Reports for consideration by the Supervisor;  
• Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained accurately;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Diploma in Accounting or Finance or related filed, with three (3) years of relevant work experience in the areas of Accounting / Finance.

Or

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or related filed, with two (2) years of relevant work experience in the areas of Accounting / Finance.

Required Skills:

• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area
• Analytical skills
• Knowledge in Microsoft suite (Excel, Word etc.)
• Interpersonal skills
• Able to communicate orally and in writing
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating Clearly

Functional Competencies:

• Trouble shooting
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Task Focused
• Continuous Improvement Awareness

Languages:

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

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.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 15,758.000 (GSA 5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  16,813.44   (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
15th December, 2022.