Finance Officer (STATAFRIC) 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 (STATAFRIC)

Requisition ID: 2032
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Job Grade: P2
Division: Finance
Organization: African Union
Reports to: Head of External Resources Management
Directorate/Department/Organ: African Union Institute for Statistics (STATAFRIC)

Purpose of Job

• The Finance Officer is responsible for the day-to-day financial management of the World Bank funded Projects implemented by African Union Institute for Statistics (STATAFRIC) at AUC.
• Ensure the management of the projects in an effective and efficient manner and completing the activities within the agreed due dates.
• Work closely with Finance Directorate to implement the activities during the lifetime of the projects
• The 3 major projects funded by the World Bank are: 
  • Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West Africa Project (HISWA)
  • Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program-for-Results (EARSPforR)
  • Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA).

Main Functions

• Strengthen financial management of the Project as Project Implementing Unit, 
• Manage the day-to-day financial activities of the project including monitoring budgets, expenditures, and cash flow.
• Develop and maintain financial systems and controls to ensure compliance with AUC and the World Bank financial policies and procedures.
• Conduct financial analysis to identify areas of improvement and provide recommendations for action
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to management and the AUC Directorate of Finance.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of annual budgets and budget revisions.
• Work with Project Implementation Unit to ensure budget proposals are consistent with program objectives and are within budgetary constraints.
• Monitor budget implementation and provide guidance to Project Implementation Unit staff on budgetary matters.
• Manage the financial aspects of the World Bank financing, including budget development, financial reporting, and compliance with the World Bank requirements.
• Ensure that project expenditures are in accordance with the financing agreement.
• Submit Withdrawal Applications to the World bank in a timely manner for disbursements to the project designated account.
• Ensure compliance with the AUC financial regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Provide guidance on compliance issues to the project coordinator and other staff.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure compliance with audit requirements. Ensure audit findings are rectified in a timely manner.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage World Bank Project funds and provide overall financial oversight over the utilization of the funds;
• Monitor the performance of fund flow mechanisms of the Projects and ensure that timely replenishments are made to implementing offices and the required funds are received;
• Ensure that payments are made as per the budget allocated for each project and expenditure category;
• Ensure compliance with the Bank’s Financial Management Policies and applicable African Union Financial Rules & Regulations;
• Ensure that all reconciliations (bank and fund) are done on monthly basis and reports are produced on the same;
• Maintain strong internal control over disbursements and accounting for the funds;
• Track and maintain records of accounts payable, accounts receivable and commitments under the projects. 
• Prepare the projects financial management reports, including interim financial reports (IFRs) and submit them to World Bank;  
• Coordinate World Bank Projects audits and prepare responses to audit queries and assist in the implementation of audit findings;
• Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a national, continental or international organization;

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with 5 years of relevant work experience in a national, continental or international organization. 
• A Professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent;

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Management experience and excellent interpersonal skills 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability both orally and in writing
• Excellent report writing and presentation
• Sound 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 
• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results 
• Familiarity with international and regional definition, methodologies and standards in the relevant area 
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture

Functional Competencies:

• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Continuous Improvement Orientation:
• Trouble shooting;
• Task Focused

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed 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) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 80,975.58 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,045.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
24th November, 2023; 11h59 p.m. EAT.