Senior Finance Officer, IPSAS Expert 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 Officer, IPSAS Expert

Requisition ID: 2574
Location: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Accounting Division
Directorate/Department/Organ: Finance
Division: Accounting
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed-Term

Purpose of Job

• To ensure that the AU maintains full IPSAS compliance under the AU IPSAS framework and ensure that IPSAS is embedded in AU daily activities.

Main Function

• Review the IPSAS implementation strategy / roadmap and clearly outline the priority areas of focus in implementation;
• Provide high level technical guidance to the management on IPSAS policy options based on implications, context and other organizational factors;
• Provide regular technical operational and coordination support and guidance to the various African Union Offices, interpret reporting requirements under IPSAS with reference to AU applicable IPSAS policies, taking into consideration revised AU financial rules, AU staff regulations and rules and procurement manual;
• Promotes best practices, transparency, accountability and appropriate working systems in accordance to IPSAS. 
• Liaise with other Divisions involved in financial reporting process and ensure all transactions recorded per IPSAS;
• Review accounting entries and Trial Balance and ensure correctness of posting and adjust or alert the other divisions to do the necessary adjustments;
• Undertake other IPSAS related activities as assigned by the Head of Division.

Specific Responsibilities

• Review and update the existing AU IPSAS policy, accounting procedures manual, revised AU financial rules to update with new IPSAS developments applicable to AU;
• Manage IPSAS compliant periodic reporting by ensuring completeness, accuracy and proper supporting data.
• Lead the preparation of AU IPSAS compliant consolidated financial statements and reports and audit files to support them;
• Prepare Year End IPSAS Guidance Plan;
• Carry out quick IPSAS training needs assessment in order to understand needs of the diverse stakeholders and develop proper targeted training programs;
• Facilitate targeted organization wide IPSAS awareness and training for all AU Offices;
• Prepare a portal for AU Finance Officers with IPSAS materials and guidance with examples and frequently asked questions and answers;
• Monitor progress on the implementation process and recommend and support relevant / necessary and corrective actions;
• Provides advice and ensures compliance with Financial Rules and regulation, IPSAS, Executive decisions and other determined financial policies. 
• Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained accurately;
• Prepares management reports for AUC and AU organs for consideration of the Commission, Member States and Partners as well as internal/external auditors.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field with seven (7) years of experience in Accounting and financial Audit, in preparing IPSAS compliant Financial Statements of which 3 years should have been served at supervisory level.
• Bachelor Degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field with Ten (10) years of experience in Accounting and financial Audit, in preparing IPSAS compliant Financial Statements of which 3 years should have been served at supervisory level.
• Professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent is required. 
• Knowledge in any ERP/SAP system.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and management skills. 
• Ability to successfully manage teams in Multicultural and Multilingual environment;
• Financial Management and 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 working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Communicating with impact
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Drive for Results
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Fosters Innovation.

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$ 96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
21st March, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.