Finance Officer (HRMD) 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 (HRMD)

Requisition ID: 2409
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Compensation and Benefits
Directorate/Department/Organ: Human Resources Management Directorate
Division: Compensation and Benefits
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To provide technical assistance to the Pension Fund Management Division and the Human Resource Directorate at large, on financial and budgetary matters, to allow the division to implement its mandate and achieve the overall objectives of the AU Pension Fund.

Main Functions

• Assist in following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research and provide the necessary technical support to the Pension Fund Management Division in particular and the HRM Directorate at large.
• Contribute to conducting analysis and generating accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AU’s internal use.
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of the relevant policy area linked to pension fund management, budgeting, and related execution.
• Participate in the organization of relevant meetings, congresses, and conferences with stakeholders on the area of finance and pension fund management, as directed.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division and the Directorate, including preparing leaflets, guidelines, and fact sheets.
• Assist in the preparation of work programmes related to the mandate of the Division and/or Directorate and drafting related reports.
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Prepare the Pension Fund Management Division’s draft budgets; provide required technical assistance on budgeting to all HR offices/divisions and units.
• Review, consolidate, and compile the draft budget proposals of the HRM Directorate related to pension fund management.
• Prepare guidelines for the preparation and execution of the pension fund budget.
• Assist the Director’s Office, Heads of Divisions, and Heads of Units in preparing periodic execution reports and in liaising with relevant departments on budgetary matters.
• Prepare monthly budget expenditure reports of the Pension Fund Management Division, including variance analysis and explanations for management’s decision-making.
• Coordinate with the AUC Budget Division to provide input into the preparation of mid-year budget reviews.
• Prepare the mid-year budget performance review of the Pension Fund Management Division.
• Prepare the monthly pension fund budget execution report for consideration by the Board of Trustees and any other stakeholders, including recommendations on challenges experienced.
• Liaise with banks and financial institutions regarding pension fund transactions, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of deposits and withdrawals.
• Certify funds availability in line with the approved budget and activities; check and confirm the adequacy of applying various budget lines to designated pension fund activities.
• Perform monthly reconciliations between contributions and bank transactions (deposits and withdrawals) related to the pension fund.
• Prepare and submit periodic financial reports on the status of the pension fund to the Head of Division.
• Respond to audit queries on pension fund budget and execution matters.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned related to the management and administration of the pension fund.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting, with 5 years relevant work experience in financial management, budgeting, payroll administration and management. 

Or

• Master’s Degree holders are required to have two years relevant work experience mentioned above.
• Certification in Accountancy is required
• Work experience with the SAP Finance module or any similar system
• Additional experience and/or knowledge related to pension management, staff benefits and entitlements administration in similar international organizations will be highly desirable. 

Required Skills:

• Planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural setting 
• Communication and report writing skills 
• Strong capacity to manage, organize, compile and analyze data
• Strong understanding of budgeting and reporting; as well as the management of staff compensation and payroll related activities
• Understanding of staff benefits and entitlement management, related policies, standards and systems 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite and AU computing systems
• Inter-personal, negotiation and customer/ client service skills
• Change management and strategic thinking skills
• Research and analytical skills  
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Arabic or Spanish) is required and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• .Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus

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 official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Arabic or Spanish) is required and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 22,932.00 (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
13th December, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.