Head of Financial Management Division (AfCDC) 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 Financial Management Division (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 1971
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Reports to: Director of Finance
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC

Purpose of Job

• The Head of Financial Management Division provides strategic leadership for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
• She/he  must possess expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning. S/he shall analyze day-to-day financial activities with precision to provide valuable insights and recommendations to the senior management (Directors and top management).
• The Head of Division, Financial management’s guidance will empower the Africa CDC’s leadership to make informed decisions that align with the organization’s long-term goals.
• In addition, the incumbent will play a crucial role in developing and implementing financial plans that support the institution’s growth and efficiency.
• Monitoring financial performance, identifying areas for improvement, and capitalizing on opportunities will be integral parts of the incumbent’s responsibilities.

Main Functions
The Head of Financial Management Division is responsible for overseeing the financial operations and activities of Africa CDC. Some of the main functions of this role are:

• Supervises and manage the employees of the division with regard to organisation and performance evaluation;
• Designs strategies and policies consistent with the Organ’s goal in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
• Contributes to the development of the insitution’s business continuity plan and ensure implementation at division level;
• Ensures risk management and mitigation;
• Designs and plans policy programs to achieve the strategies;
• Develops new and expand on existing activities as components of the strategies and policies;
• Addresses problems in arising to current approaches to relevant area;
• Engages stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing strategies;
• Represents the organisation and explain its position at conferences. 
• Mobilises funding from all donors to support execution of strategies and activities of the Division;
• Prepares periodic financial and budget reports and monitor budget execution at division level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures that ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Prepare and analyze financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and statements that provide accurate and timely information for decision-making.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks and ensuring adequate internal controls and safeguards are in place.
• Providing strategic guidance and advice on financial issues and opportunities to senior management and the board of directors.
• Prepares monthly cash forecasts and other relevant financial reports for management use; 
• Prepare the Division annual budget and submit for consideration and corresponding approval;
• Review the system effectiveness and recommend improvements in order to mitigate identified risks;
• Review and monitor payments systems to ensure payables including payroll and disbursements are processed timely and all exceptions are dealt with promptly and timely;
• Manage the customer relationship with all finance institutions and banks to ensure integrated payments/disbursement (including bank online platforms) systems are operating smoothly:
• Authorise all payments as a key primary signatory with reference to the Finance Rules and Regulations (FRR);  
• Provide overall leadership and supervision of the Division staff while ensuring the work of all other stake holders as appropriate is supported. 
• Ensure compliance with Financial Rules and Regulations of the African Union and financial policies; 
• Manage a multi-functional team of finance professionals;
• Maintain and continually improving systems, processes, and procedures of financial management, internal controls and administrative services of Africa CDC; 
• Properly report and safeguard Africa CDC’s financial resources and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in all financial matters; 
• Authorize all Africa CDC payments and ensure the processing of Africa CDC salaries on time;
• Administer the systems of all Africa CDC online banking services;
• Ensure the timely preparation and presentation of financial and other interim reports on the financial situation of the Body;
• Ensure timely preparation of bank reconciliation statements and resolve all reconciliation issues in a timely manner;
• Review and order all bank transfers (local and international) and constantly ensure that you have good foreign currency reserves;
• Prepare cash flow projections on a regular basis and manage relationships with internal and external auditors;
• Conduct investigations into the most significant discrepancies between actual cash flow and forecast cash flow, as well as any errors noted in bank accounts or cash books;
• Prepare, upload and publish monthly SAP exchange rate reports;
• Be an authorized signatory of the Africa CDC for all banking operations and manage the Africa CDC's relations with banks;
• Provide strategic advice and guidance on matters relating to financial management;
• Manage cash and other short-term assets by forecasting cash inflows and outflows so that the organization's cash flow is neither insufficient nor surplus;
• Ensure adequate financial controls over cash resources by exercising control over finances through ratio analysis, financial forecasting, expenditure and surplus control;
• Support the mobilization of financial resources from partners to ensure adequate funding for operational and programmatic needs;
• Oversee the debt settlement and disbursement process and ensure the proper processing of all payments and expenses;
• Review policies, systems and controls to ensure they are adequate, up-to-date and operationally effective;
• Supervise and manage a multifunctional team of financial professionals.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master's Degree in Finance or Accounting, Finance, Business Management or related field with twelve (12) years of relevant work experience of which seven (7) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level;
• Professional certification such as CPA, CFA, CGMA is highly preferred
• Solid experience in financial management, budgeting, auditing, and compliance in a large and complex organizations. 
• Experience in the public sector or a non-profit organization is an asset.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and management skills 
• Ability to successfully manage teams in multicultural and multilingual environment;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills 
• Presentation, report writing and communication skills;
• Computer skills with practical knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Planning and organizing skills 
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Kiswahili) is required, and  fluency in another AU language(s) will be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for result
• 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.

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, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  26,208.00   (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
5th October, 2023; 11h59 p.m. EAT