Assistant Accountant, Financial Management AfCFTA 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 Organisation 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: Assistant Accountant, Financial Management AfCFTA

Requisition ID: 1173
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Senior Disbursement Officer
Directorate/Department : Finance
Division : Accounting, Budget and Financial Management
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: GSA5
Number of Positions: 01
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To process payments in accordance with African Union Financial Rules and Regulations.

Main Functions

• Provide timely operational support;
• Assist in activity planning;
• Prepare operational work schedules and follow up implementation;
• Coordinate and/or Engage in technical assistance and/or logistical work;
• 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

• Ensure that all payments are authorized and legitimate supporting documentation provided;
• Ensure that all payment processes on timely basis;
• Process all payments (19 or 10 series) in SAP;
• Support the management and improvement of procedures and controls in relation to the timely processing of payment;
• Monitor, analyze, and manage open items; monitors and reports status of open items to supervisor.
• Post payment transactions in SAP ERP;
• Process and verify all bank payment and ensure that the accompanying supporting documents are complete and accurate;
• Assist in processing monthly payroll and related staff emoluments;
• Reconcile Statutory Net Payable Account;
• Process Interbank Transfers;
• Review documents for completeness and process all payables;
• Periodically review all open items in vendors and take appropriate action as required
• Safeguard all vouchers including supporting documents for review by both internal and external auditors;
• Provide support in the preparation of financial reports and assists in performance of various clerical duties;
• Ensure 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;
• Analyze and upload bank data onto the SAP Bank Module from prepared excel files;
• Participate in the preparation of Bank reconciliation reports;
• Follows-up periodic currency revaluation procedures on SAP system;
• 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;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Diploma in Accounting or Finance or related filed, with three (3) years of relevant work experience in the areas of Accounting/finance.

Or

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or related filed, with two (2) years of relevant work experience in the areas of Accounting/finance.
• Relevant Experience
• Experience in processing payments in AU or similar international organization is required;
• Experience with financial systems/finance module of enterprise resource planning (ERP) such as SAP or similar ERP is required.
• A sound and detailed knowledge of financial rules and regulations in AU or similar international organization is highly desirable;
• Advance knowledge in the application of Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Skills:

• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results
• Analytical skills
• Knowledge in Microsoft suite (Excel, Word etc.)
• Interpersonal skills
• Able to communicate orally and in writing
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies
Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Continuous Improvement Orientation:
• Trouble shooting
• Task Focused

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, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 15,758.00  (GSA 5 Step1) 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.

Application Closing Date
6th June, 2022.