Head of Accounting Budget and Financial Management Division (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: Head of Accounting Budget and Financial Management Division (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 1863
Location: Accra, Ghana
Contract Type: Regular
Reports to: Director of Finance 
Directorate / Department : Directorate of Finance (AfCFTA)
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 25
Job Grade: P5

Purpose of Job

• Lead the development and implementation of accounting, budgetary and financial  management policies, strategies, procedures and process within AfCFTA.

Main Functions

• Guides the preparation and implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS)
• Establish accounting, budget and financial management functions
• Supervises and manages the division's employees in the implementation of activities and the evaluation of performance
• Develops strategies and policies consistent with the department's objective to address relevant issues in the field
• Contributes to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensures its implementation at the divisional level
• Ensures risk management and mitigation
• Designs and plans policy programs to achieve strategies
• Provide support for the development of the resource mobilization strategy with stakeholder coordination
• Develops new activities and expands existing activities as components of strategies and policies;
• Work with internal and external stakeholders
• Manage the investment of AfCFTA excesses funds in accordance AU Financial Rules;
• Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
• Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manages a complete financial operation, encompassing a wide variety of Member States and Partner Funds, with a large volume of grants in, grants out, implementing partners, and inter-office transactions, and extensive dispersed activities;
• Manage all aspects of the monthly, quarterly and year-end closure of accounts including development and implementation of detailed closure instructions;
• Provide expert guidance and advice to management in the area of financial accounting, interpretation and operational guidance on the application of the IPSAS and African Union Financial Rules (AU FR);
• Acts as AfCFTA focal point and responds to internal/external audit observations and liaises with clients and other relevant entities on audit issues;
• Lead the development and implementation of new accounting systems. Takes initiative to improve accounting processes and approaches;
• Coordinate and supervise all accounting transactions including the periodic production of management accounts and IPSAS compliant financial statements;
• Manage the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the budget;
• Periodically reviews program budgets to analyze trends affecting budgetary needs. Prepares comparative analyses of programs by analyzing costs and recommendations for budget revisions;
• Promote best management systems and practices, develop internal controls, as well as ensure transparency and the obligation to justify expenditure.
• Ensure the proper application of the Financial Rules, Staff Regulations and Rules of the African Union and policies and procedures of management established by AfCFTA.
• Oversee timely payment of transactions;
• Maintain an efficient system of policies and procedures that impose an adequate level of control over treasury activities and provide support for regulatory reporting;
• Liaise and consult with oversight bodies such as Board of External Auditors, Office of Internal Oversight and Policy Organs to ensure implementation of their recommendations as appropriate;
• Supervises and manages the Division's staff in terms of organization and performance evaluation;
• Coordinate risk management activities across AfCFTA;
• Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate Supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with 12 years progressive responsible experience in managing finance functions out of which 7 at managerial level and 5 years at supervisory level.
• A professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, Expert Comptable or equivalent is an added advantage;
• Previous experience in establishing functional Finance Function (Accounting, Budget and Disbursement/Treasury) is required;
• Working experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and financial statement preparation (general and special purpose) in large international organization is required;
• Demonstrate high level understanding of budgetary process, management of Development Partner’s funds and relationships;
• In-depth understanding and experience in developing financial rules/policies, managing risk and implementing effective internal controls,
• Hands-on experience working with enterprise resources management (ERP) systems, particularly SAP is an asset.

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
• High degree of independence, maturity and initiative
• Ability to handle challenging questions and difficult stakeholders
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work
• Be flexible, adaptable and open to change
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage;

Leadership competencies:

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

Core competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact.

Functional competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation.

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.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of USD50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), Housing allowance USD27,290.88.00 (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
10th July, 2023.