Payroll Officer 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: Payroll Officer

Requisition ID: 2490
Location: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
Reports to: Senior Salary and Benefits Officer
Directorate/Department/Organ: Human Resources Management
Division: Human Resources Shared Services
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Number of Positions: 2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• This position is responsible of payroll administration including payroll data capturing, processing and facilitating payments to all stakeholders through the Finance Directorate. She/he shall be also responsible for quarterly reconciliations and comparison of staff cost including retrieving payroll audits trails and monthly report preparation. 

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in payroll related e activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Research and recommend new developments on areas of improvement in payroll matters and policies
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AU’s internal use.
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure the operational aspects of payroll processing and associated activities, including salary disbursement, overpayment recovery, leave management and reporting are accurate and delivered within appropriate timeframes and in compliance with relevant rules and regulations
• Prepare complex payroll and human resource information for data input and assist with checking and ensuring quality control and maintenance of records to ensure accuracy, service quality and data integrity
• Assist the organization to meet its statutory obligations through processing payroll and preparation of payroll reports;
• Provide a responsive, accurate, client advisory service on payroll matters, resolve difficult enquiries and assist in identifying payroll errors and implement corrective action where required to ensure employee payments are processed accurately and database integrity is maintained while designing, developing and implementing error mitigation plans. 
• Assist in the preparation of operational and programme budgets for the Directorate in accordance with relevant frameworks;
• Ensure the effective exchange of information and monitoring of HR practices, priorities and delegations
• Contribute to process improvement by participating in a range of payroll and service delivery reform activities
• Assist in review of salary scales, allowances and benefits by providing relevant data and developing Terms of references for the hiring of consultancy firm
• Assist in the preparation of data analysis as may be required for informed decisions making
• Participate in organisational salary surveys

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Bachelor’s Degree in Human resources management, Financial Management or Accounting with 5 years of progressive experience in payroll administration. 
• Candidates with Masters Degree in indicated fields are required to have two (2) years of progressive experience in payroll administration.
• Experience processing payroll in a large similar international organization with a large employee base is mandatory;
• Sound knowledge of IPSAS and ability to use SAP HCM module is mandatory.
• For candidates with financial management or accounting qualifications, professional certification from recognized HR institutions such as SHRM-CP, CIPD or equivalent are desirable.  
• For candidates with Human resources management qualifications, professional certification from recognized accounting institutions such as ACCA or equivalent are desirable

Required Skills:

• Ability to use SAP HR payroll module and sound knowledge IPSAS is mandatory
• Excellent accuracy skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Ability to successfully manage ambiguity  
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Kiswahili or Spanish) is required;  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 working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step 1) 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.