Finance Officer - Certification (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 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: Finance Officer - Certification (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 1844
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Head of Accounting, Budgeting and Financial Management Division
Directorate/Department/Organ: Finance Directorate
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To audit and certify all payments and accounting transactions in accordance with African Union Financial Rules, Staff Rules and Regulations and other relevant policies and procedures.

Main Functions

• Conducts complex analysis and generate reports in a timely manner for the Division internal use.
• Reviews and determines compliance with applicable regulations, rules, policies and procedures in the area being audited.
• Provides support to identify training needs, develop training programs and materials, and conduct workshops with respect to auditing approaches and techniques.
• Certify all payments and accounting transactions of AfCFTA.
• Pre-audit all payrolls, claims and other financial transactions upon certification by the authorized person that the amount is due and unpaid according to records and information;
• Review the receipts, adjustments and disbursements of the Commission's departments/directorates;
• Monitor all expenditures to ensure that budget appropriations are not exceeded,
• Contribute to the review of financial rules; regulations, policies and procedures, for the effective implementation of accounting and financial management systems;
• Provide accurate and reliable information and explanations to audit inquiries

Specific Responsibilities

• Analyze any problems and issues; formulates options, strategies and policies, recommends solutions to systematically address any existing and potential issues with respect to compliance, audit, verification and donor reporting; takes the lead in the implementation of such strategies and policies in the areas of responsibility;
• Act as the Advisor to the Head of Division and Director of Finance on matters relating to compliance with Rules and regulations and IPSAS;
• Lead the establishment of fully functional Certification Function within AfCFTA;
• Approves/confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of AU, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments/appropriations; Certify all payments before they are effected;
• Review and analyze the general ledgers accounts and IPSAS financial statements of AfCFTA and advise the Head of Division on areas of improvements;
• Assist in identifying, assessing and monitoring risks and implement necessary controls to maintain risk exposure at an acceptable level; Manage financial risk management within AfCFTA;
• Prepare timely updates, and regular progress reports (project status & activity report, and other reports);
• Provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling financial transactions;
• Monitor, analyses transactions recorded into the accounting system;
• Independently monitor the status of implementation of audit recommendations, and appraises adequacy of follow-up action taken on audit findings and recommendations.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Division or the Director.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Auditing, Finance, Accounting or related field with 5 years of relevant work experience in a national or international organization OR Master’s Degree in auditing, 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 is an added advantage.
• Hands-on experience in auditing or verification of financial transactions is required.
• Experience with financial systems/finance module of enterprise resource planning (ERP) such as SAP or similar ERP is required.
• Experience with IPSAS/IFRS in a large organization is highly desirable.
• Experience in reviewing, monitoring and reporting on internal controls and risk management.
• Proven experience in data analytics and financial analysis.

Required Skills:

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment; 
• Ability to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high quality work in short timeframes;
• Excellent interpersonal/teamwork skills,
• Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of common computer applications and systems
• Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong program/project management skills 
• Strong analytical skills 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills 
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage. 

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountable and Complies with Rules
• Learning Orientation

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving..
• Job Knowledge and information sharing..
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

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$  31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of US$ 21,832.68 (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
30th June, 2023.