Finance Officer (AU-IBAR) at 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 (AU-IBAR)

Req Id: 2842
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reports to: Senior Finance Officer
Directorate/Department/Organ: DARBE
Division:AU-IBAR
Number of Direct Reports:0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade:P2
Number of Positions:1
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission, is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. Within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA)environed an inclusive and sustainable livestock economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
• Small ruminants constitute an important part of the African livestock and represent a key element in food and nutrition security on the continent. Small ruminants are well adapted to the different agro-ecological zones and production systems in which they are reared. Farming small ruminants provide a safety net for women and youth who are vulnerable to socio-economic shocks and disturbances. 
• Production, productivity, circulation, trade and marketing of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by the presence of high impact transboundary animal diseases. Among those, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) a viral disease affecting only small ruminants and their wild relatives, is the most sensitive one because of its contagiousness and the fatality rate observed. 
• For many years, multiple partners and donors have been supporting various PPR control and eradication in different countries/regions, however, the efforts are still fragmented and inadequately coordinated, achieving limited short-term control of the disease and appear insufficient to hope for an eradication at continental level. Around ten years ago, Rinderpest, a viral disease very similar to PPR but affecting cattle and buffaloes, was successfully eradicated from Africa because of a strong continental coordination that was put in place with the support of the European Union. Now, PPR eradication has become a political objective for the African Union reaffirmed at several occasions. A plan of action and a global strategy has been put in place by the FAO/WOAH joint PPR Secretariat that coordinate the PPR Global Eradication Programme under the umbrella of the GF-TADs
• AU-IBAR and partners with support of the European Union have developed an Action that aims to define concretely the needs and support for strengthening the continental/ regional actors to respond to the threats of transboundary diseases of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), in particular PPR. The Action will also prepare the governance for coordinating the global PPR eradication in SSA and for coordination at continental level. Finally, the Action will prepare and organize the vaccination strategy needed to eradicate PPR on the basis of the state of play of the various existing initiatives and capacities. 
• This Action should be considered as the first phase to initiate a larger approach to eradicate PPR in Africa in the years to come. It will be used to inform a harmonized continental strategy supported by a theory of change and a comprehensive Business Plan for eradication of PPR. Subsequent implementation phases will entail targeted evidence-based interventions for a time-bound eradication process.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union Commission intends to strengthen its capacity and the Commission therefore, invites applicants who are citizens of Member States of Africa Union for the position of a  Programme Officer to lead and coordinate the technical implementation and management of the PPR eradication project at the Pan African PPR Secretariat (PAPS) based at the InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR), located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Main Functions

•  Collecting, verifying and processing all financial documents related to service contract, technical check of invoices to verify that VAT exemption procedure is respected, administration of resources, and arranging payment orders;
• Maintenance of financial data records (costs incurred, forecast budget, funds remaining); 
• Preparation of requests for payment, requests for contract amendments; 
• Preparation of requests for use of incidentals; 
• Archiving all relevant documentation both, electronically and/or manually; 
• Participation in the  procurement and subcontracting procedures including preparation of related technical documentation; 
• Assisting Operating structures of PPR secretariat  and IBAR during audit missions, reviewing expenditure verification reports drafted by the auditor of the service contract and making comments on financial and contractual matters; 
• Management of RECs, Member states and partners  budget, i.e.: monitoring available funds, reviewing the status of MSs accounts, controlling expenditure eligibility; 
• Prepare TA budget and Budget plans, take care of all the liabilities, controlling expenditures;  
• Eligibility and office budget; 
• Contribute to the definition of internal rules for the review of financial progress reports;  Implement and update the  PPR  project database; 
• Assisting the Head of animal health unit  as the Team Leader in preparation and delivering of financial 

Specific Responsibilities

• The Finance and Operation Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Finance officer and the Coordinator of Animal Health Unit and the Project Manager of PPR program; the overall oversight of the Sen the Director of AU-IBAR. The Finance and Operations Officer will report to the Project Manager and S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day financial and operational activities of the PPR project. This includes managing budgets, accounts, procurement, and assets management. The Finance and Operations Officer will also work to support the IBAR in achieving its objectives. She/he will have the following specific duties and responsibilities.
• Manage budgets and ensure that they are in line with the project’s objectives.
• Implement financial and operational policies, rules and regulations of AU and donors namely European Union (EU)
• Coordinate and oversee the financial and operational activities of the project, ensuring compliance with African Union and EUROPEAN Union (EU) rules and regulations
• Prepare and monitor the annual budgets and work plans of the project, liaising with RECs,  MSs and partners
• Provide timely and accurate financial and operational reports to the Project  management and donors, highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the project staffs, regional stakeholders, donors and other partners, representing IBAR relevant meetings and forums
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks, ensuring adherence to internal controls and audit recommendations
• Support IBAR  in resource mobilization, proposal development and grant management
• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to the IBAR staff on financial and operational matters
• Prepare financial reports and ensure that they are accurate and timely.
• Administer accounts and ensure that payments are made on time and in accordance with AU policies, rules and regulations.
• Oversee procurement activities and ensure that goods and services are purchased in a cost-effective manner.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the AU-IBAR Director or his/her designate.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
The incumbent should have:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field with at least five (5) and relevant work experience in financial and operational management of complex projects or programs, preferably in the animal health or development sector. 
• Experience with financial management software, procurement procedures and facilities management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in budgeting, accounting, reporting, auditing, procurement, human resources, and logistics management.
• Familiarity with AU policies and procedures, donor regulations (such as EU, ADB, USAID,etc). 
  Or
• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field is required with 2 years’ progressive experience with financial management software, procurement procedures
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in budgeting, accounting, reporting, auditing, procurement, human resources, and logistics management.
• Familiarity with AU policies and procedures, donor regulations (such as EU, ADB, USAID,etc). 
• Experience in supporting  operations  procurement and financial activities of  donor  funded projects in Intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations
• Experience in conducting inventory or stock taking of issues relating to finance and procurement activities
• Overall: A professional certification (such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, etc.) is preferred.
• Knowledge of the animal health sector is an advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Excel) and accounting software (such as QuickBooks, SAP, etc.)is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and/or French. Knowledge of other African Union working languages is an asset.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel within the region and to other locations as required..
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English in particular 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 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$ 78,600.96 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 63,640.03 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
22nd October, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online