Senior Finance & Administration Officer (PAU-Rectorate) 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: Senior Finance & Administration Officer (PAU-Rectorate)

Location: Yaounde, Cameroun
Employment Type: Full-time

Purpose of Job

• Responsible for all the Finance and Administrative Functions. This includes managing staff, financial reporting, budget preparation and implementation, maintaining accurate and complete data in the general ledger and trial balances in line with the AU financial rules and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Main Functions

• Manage budget, payments, accounting, procurement, human resources and risk management functions of the Office
• Provide support in the preparation and implementation of the programmes developed out of the Office’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation at various levels
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Office
• Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholder’s coordination
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Office and AU’s internal use
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities
Finance and Accounting:

• Manage a complete financial function of the Office which would include a number of different and diverse operations and inter-related accounts of the financial system
• Lead and ensure effective budget preparation (both operational and program), budget implementation and reporting of budget execution on quarterly basis.
• Supervise the processing and verification of all bank payments and ensure that the accompanying supporting documents are complete and accurate
• Work as Focal Person in relation to the management of the Bank accounts.  
• Supervise the preparation of monthly payroll and related staff emoluments, adjustment of the local bank balance at the end of each month
• Supervise the preparation of Financial Reports for consideration of the AU Headquarters and other stakeholders as need be, as well as the certification of general expenditures
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained accurately;
• Provide advice on financial policies, their application and related procedures for the office in accordance with the AU financial rules
• Provide advice and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the Organization’s Financial Rules and circulars
• Maintain accurate general ledger and trial balance for the Office
• Ensure the proper maintenance of financial records of the office.

Human Resource Management:

• Supervise and manage the employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation. Continuously interact with staff and listen to their concerns/comments on relevant HR and Finance issues, and escalate to the attention of relevant authority where necessary.
• Ensure that updated personnel data is maintained (in relation staff contract, leave management, up-to-date personnel information etc).
• Maintain full documents on grievances, terminations, absences, performance reports, and compensation and benefits information.
• Supervise and lead the drafting and issuance of various internal and external correspondences related to financial and administrative matters;
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the performance evaluation process of staff;
• Coordinate with the AU Headquarters in ensuring timely staffing of the Office as well as employee contract management;
• Provide advice on human resource management and administrative policies, their application and related procedures for the office in accordance with the AU Staff Rules and Regulations and various administrative circulars. Provide technical advice in financial and HR matters.
• Provide advice and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the Organization’s Staff Rules and Regulations as well as administrative instructions and circulars.

Administration:

• Supervise procurement activities and other acquisitions of goods and services in accordance with the AU Procurement Manual, the maintenance of up to date files, records and documentation of service providers/contracts;
• Administer the asset management system of Office.
• Ensure the effective functioning of the front office and office premises are well maintained and provided with common services.
• Formulate, implement staff safety and security measures and ensure compliance with AU Security regulations and standards.
• Lead and control administrative support on issuance of travel documents, i.e. tickets and related, in accordance with the AU Travel Policy;
• Supervise Junior Staff as appropriate;
• Performing any other relevant duty/responsibility as assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with Ten (10) years of work experience in budgeting, payments, accounting, procurements and human resources management;

OR

• A Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with seven (7) years of work experience in budgeting, payments, accounting, procurements and human resources management;
• Three (3) years of experience at supervisory level
• A professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, Expert Comptable or equivalent is an added advantage;
• Demonstrate practical experience in applying IPSAS, closing accounts and preparing financial statements;
• Hands-on experience in budget preparation and implementation in international organizations;
• Demonstrate understanding of procurement rules and procurement of goods and services in international organizations;
• Experience in managing staff;
• Experience with finance modules of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) such as SAP, or similar ERP;
• Advanced knowledge in the application of Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Skills:

• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area
• Strong communication ability both orally and in writing
• 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:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.

Application Closing Date
1st July, 2024.