Accounts Assistant (ACERWC) at African Union

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: Accounts Assistant (ACERWC)

Requisition ID: 2885
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Senior Finance Officer 
Directorate / Department / Organ: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Job Grade: GSA5
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide.
• Its headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the post of Assistant Accountant at the Secretariat of the  African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC/the Committee).
• The ACERWC is a human rights organ of the AU with the mandate to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa.
• The Committee was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), by virtue of Article 32 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The African Children’s Charter) to monitor the implementation of the Charter.
• In view of the above background, the AU invites qualified and competent applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union with relevant skills, competencies and experiences to submit their applications for the position of Assistant Accountant at the Secretariat of the ACERWC based in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho.
• The Assistant Accountant shall provide required support on accounting, treasury and financial management functions within ACERWC.

Main Functions

• Provide timely support in area of expertise
• Assist in activity planning 
• Prepare operational work schedules and follow up implementation  
• Coordinate and/or engage in technical assistance in the area of expertise
• Assist in the creation, improvement and maintenance of operational processes  and systems
• Prepare office communication and draft reports.
• Handle communication at operational level and provide update 
• Assist in the compilation and maintenance of data and information for preparation, implementation and monitoring of budgets, activities etc

Specific Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of Financial Statements for audit 
• Assist in preparing Financial Reports and present for the supervisor’s consideration;
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained accurately; 
• Ensure proper handling and timely preparation of accounting documents (memo received, DV, AV etc.)
• Ensuring that all expenditures approved for payment have been provided in the approved budget; 
• Assists in the preparation of financial reports and assists in performance of various clerical duties;
• Work on settlement of Imprest, travel claims and other advances for Partners funded programmes;
• Take charge of ageing analysis of Imprest and travel claims on a regular basis to keep clean and up to date;
• Prepare responses to external and internal audit queries and assist in the implementation of audit findings
• Post journal entries into the SAP system and reconcile interoffice accounts;
• Analysing and uploading bank data onto the SAP Bank Module from prepared excel files;
• Preparation of Bank reconciliation reports;
• Investigate and follow up all outstanding items on statement reports of bank reconciliation;
• Follow up with internal and external audit reports related to any reconciliation issues raised in reports;
• Follow up periodic currency revaluation procedures on SAP system;
• Process and verify all bank payment and ensure that the accompanying supporting documents are complete and accurate;
• Process monthly payroll and related staff emoluments;
• Keep and update financial records of the office;
• Maintain updated Personnel data (staff contract, leave management, up-to-date personnel
• Maintain up to date files for service providers/contracts;
• Journalize monthly exchange and bank charges on the various payments effected through Foreign and Local bank accounts;
• Adjust the local bank balance at the end of each month;
• Assist the SFO in providing  advice on Financial and Administrative policies, their application and related procedures for the office in accordance with the Financial Rules and Regulations, Staff Regulation and Rules and various circulars;
• Take corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the Organization’s Financial Rules and Regulations, Staff Rules as well as administrative instructions and circulars;
• Assist to maintain and generate accurate financial records, in line with the approved accounting standards, guidelines, AU Financial Rules and Regulations;
• Maintain accounting databases by ensuring timely posting of transactions into the accounting software and processing necessary backups;
• Analyse all financial supporting documents received and ensure their proper filing;
• Ensure timely submission, collection and filing of all receipts from suppliers and service providers paid by the department;
• Safeguard of all vouchers including supporting documents for review by both internal and external auditors; Provide administrative support in accordance with the terms of reference of the Organ; 
• Perform other tasks as required. 

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Diploma or Bachelor’s University Degree in Accounting or Finance from a recognized Institution with at least 3 (three) and two (2) years relevant work experience, preferably in an international organization setting.
• Higher qualification/Bachelor Degree level academic education is preferred.
• Professional accounting certification CPA, CIMA, ACCA preferred/desirable. 
• Work experience in SAP an added advantage

Required Skills:

• IPSAS knowledge is an added advantage
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and to work in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent computer skills; Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, etc.
• Good skills in planning and organization
• Ability to work in team 
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). English and French are the working languages commonly used in the context of ACERWC. Knowledge of one more or several other AU working languages would be an added advantage. 

Leadership Competencies:
Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating Clearly

Functional Competencies:

• Trouble shooting
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Task Focused
• Continuous Improvement Awareness.

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$ 15,758.00 (GSA5 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 16,813.44  (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.

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.

Application Closing Date
26th December, 2025; 11:59 PM EAT.