Finance Officer , AFRICAN UNION

Finance Officer for DEAU JFA-Elections

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 city of Ethiopia.

Since the end of cold war in the late 1980s, Africa has welcomed and continued its path towards democratic consolidation. The African Union has played an important role in ensuring continued democratisation in the continent by setting normative standards, declarations and principles that is guiding Africa through its democratisation process.

At the 35 Ordinary Session of OAU Heads of States and Government in Algiers in 1999 (AHG/Decl.1 (XXXV), the OAU endorsed the Algiers Declaration on the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions. This was further formalised as a framework in 2000 at the Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly (AHG/Decl.5 (XXXVI) where the Heads of State and Government decided on the response to unconstitutional changes of government urging members states to follow democratic route to political stability.

These two imp0rtant instruments gave birth to other important normative frameworks and decisions by the African Union on democracy and elections including the Declaration of Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa popularly known as the Durban Declaration ( AHG/Decl.1 (XXXVIII), and the Guideline for African Union Election Observation and Monitoring Missions. Due to the importance of Democracy for Africa and Africans, the Assembly at the same session also decided to set up the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) as a way of ensuring that democracy is prioritised by the African Union.

In 2008, DEAU was set up after adoption of a feasibility study by the Council to carry out the mandate of the AU in the area of Democracy and Elections. Since the setup of DEAU, there has been significant normatively and operationally shift and transition in the fulfilment of DEAU mandate. In February 15 2012, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governing was ratified and further down in

August 2012, the African Union launched the African Union Long Election Observation Framework, which was validated and piloted in March 4, 2013.

In achieving its broad mandate, the DEAU works with various Democratic and Electoral Institutions through Election Observation, Electoral Assistance and Institutional and Process reform. The expansion of DEAU programmes and activities are visible in the number and quality of elections observed by African Union annually, the consistency of electoral assistance and support and the support to member states institutional and electoral reforms. In recent times, DEAU has expanded its activities in order to effectively undertake its mandate and to continue to meet the demands of Africans in the areas of democracy and credible electoral process. Some of these areas include: follow-up on the implementation of Election Observation Recommendation (EOM), Electoral Risk Management and the building of African Election expert roster through training of electoral experts.

The renewed improvement in the work of the DEAU further attracted interest from both Member States of the Union and International partners. In April 2014, the DPA signed a Joint Programme and Financial Agreement with international partners. One of the core areas identified and agreed upon in the discussion with partners was strengthening of Human Resource Capacity of the DEAU to effectively deliver on its mandate.

Therefore, in order to effectively implement its broad mandate, the DEAU is seeking the service of a Finance Officer at P2 level to handle the reporting and sub-management of the financial transactions of the DEAU under the JFA- Elections.

1. Post

Job Title: Finance Officer Grade: P2

Department: Political Affairs Supervisors: 1. Director PBFA under the Supervision of Head External Resource Management Division

2. Head Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

2. Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Head External Resource Management Division and also the Head of Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit, the post holder will be responsible for managing the financial transaction and expenditure of the JFA-Elections.

3. Major Responsibilities

The post holder shall be responsible for the following general duties:

• Financial Accounting and monitoring duties;
• Assist in the implementation and proper functioning of the AUC accounting system;
• Ensure the proper processing of fund transactions and provide financial reports for donors and internal management;
• Ensure that donor fund disbursements are made for expenditures indicated in the budget/work plan for executing programmes /projects as specified;
• Evaluate trends of financial implementation and make necessary recommendations for possible improvements;
• Prepare cash requirement forecasts for funds, request for the release of funds and follow up subsequent receipts; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned

In addition to the above general responsibilities, the Financial Officer will also perform the following specific responsibilities

• Responsible for the preparation of financial report for the JFA elections
• Reconciliation of financial expenditure under the JFA-Elections
• Support in budget preparation for JFA-Election
• Participate in JFA-Election meetings especially regarding finance
• Prepare quarterly financial report to the Head of DEAU
• Regular financial update to the Head of DEAU covering disbursements, reconciliation and balances in the different JFA-Election Budget code
• Responsible for financial reconciliation of other bilateral support to DEAU, which is not part of the JFA-Elections. For example the European Union Pan-African Programme support to DEAU.

4. Education Qualification Required

Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Financial

Management or Commerce. A professional qualification in Accounting such as

CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent from a recognized Institution would be an added advantage.

5 . Professional experience required

Candidates must have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in Accounting, Auditing and/ or Financial Management of which at least 3 years should be at middle management level

6. Other relevant skills

• Financial management and analytical skills in a Donor funded environment;
• Knowledge of funding and other resource mobilization mechanisms;
• Development of procedures and Computerized System design and implementation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, report writing and communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills with practical knowledge of and experience in accounting software

Finance Officer for DEAU JFA-Elections

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 city of Ethiopia.

Since the end of cold war in the late 1980s, Africa has welcomed and continued its path towards democratic consolidation. The African Union has played an important role in ensuring continued democratisation in the continent by setting normative standards, declarations and principles that is guiding Africa through its democratisation process.

At the 35 Ordinary Session of OAU Heads of States and Government in Algiers in 1999 (AHG/Decl.1 (XXXV), the OAU endorsed the Algiers Declaration on the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions. This was further formalised as a framework in 2000 at the Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly (AHG/Decl.5 (XXXVI) where the Heads of State and Government decided on the response to unconstitutional changes of government urging members states to follow democratic route to political stability.

These two imp0rtant instruments gave birth to other important normative frameworks and decisions by the African Union on democracy and elections including the Declaration of Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa popularly known as the Durban Declaration ( AHG/Decl.1 (XXXVIII), and the Guideline for African Union Election Observation and Monitoring Missions. Due to the importance of Democracy for Africa and Africans, the Assembly at the same session also decided to set up the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) as a way of ensuring that democracy is prioritised by the African Union.

In 2008, DEAU was set up after adoption of a feasibility study by the Council to carry out the mandate of the AU in the area of Democracy and Elections. Since the setup of DEAU, there has been significant normatively and operationally shift and transition in the fulfilment of DEAU mandate. In February 15 2012, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governing was ratified and further down in

August 2012, the African Union launched the African Union Long Election Observation Framework, which was validated and piloted in March 4, 2013.

In achieving its broad mandate, the DEAU works with various Democratic and Electoral Institutions through Election Observation, Electoral Assistance and Institutional and Process reform. The expansion of DEAU programmes and activities are visible in the number and quality of elections observed by African Union annually, the consistency of electoral assistance and support and the support to member states institutional and electoral reforms. In recent times, DEAU has expanded its activities in order to effectively undertake its mandate and to continue to meet the demands of Africans in the areas of democracy and credible electoral process. Some of these areas include: follow-up on the implementation of Election Observation Recommendation (EOM), Electoral Risk Management and the building of African Election expert roster through training of electoral experts.

The renewed improvement in the work of the DEAU further attracted interest from both Member States of the Union and International partners. In April 2014, the DPA signed a Joint Programme and Financial Agreement with international partners. One of the core areas identified and agreed upon in the discussion with partners was strengthening of Human Resource Capacity of the DEAU to effectively deliver on its mandate.

Therefore, in order to effectively implement its broad mandate, the DEAU is seeking the service of a Finance Officer at P2 level to handle the reporting and sub-management of the financial transactions of the DEAU under the JFA- Elections.

1. Post

Job Title: Finance Officer Grade: P2

Department: Political Affairs Supervisors: 1. Director PBFA under the Supervision of Head External Resource Management Division

2. Head Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

2. Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Head External Resource Management Division and also the Head of Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit, the post holder will be responsible for managing the financial transaction and expenditure of the JFA-Elections.

3. Major Responsibilities

The post holder shall be responsible for the following general duties:

• Financial Accounting and monitoring duties;
• Assist in the implementation and proper functioning of the AUC accounting system;
• Ensure the proper processing of fund transactions and provide financial reports for donors and internal management;
• Ensure that donor fund disbursements are made for expenditures indicated in the budget/work plan for executing programmes /projects as specified;
• Evaluate trends of financial implementation and make necessary recommendations for possible improvements;
• Prepare cash requirement forecasts for funds, request for the release of funds and follow up subsequent receipts; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned

In addition to the above general responsibilities, the Financial Officer will also perform the following specific responsibilities

• Responsible for the preparation of financial report for the JFA elections
• Reconciliation of financial expenditure under the JFA-Elections
• Support in budget preparation for JFA-Election
• Participate in JFA-Election meetings especially regarding finance
• Prepare quarterly financial report to the Head of DEAU
• Regular financial update to the Head of DEAU covering disbursements, reconciliation and balances in the different JFA-Election Budget code
• Responsible for financial reconciliation of other bilateral support to DEAU, which is not part of the JFA-Elections. For example the European Union Pan-African Programme support to DEAU.

4. Education Qualification Required

Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Financial

Management or Commerce. A professional qualification in Accounting such as

CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent from a recognized Institution would be an added advantage.

5 . Professional experience required: Candidates must have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in Accounting, Auditing and/ or Financial Management of which at least 3 years should be at middle management level

6. Other relevant skills

• Financial management and analytical skills in a Donor funded environment;
• Knowledge of funding and other resource mobilization mechanisms;
• Development of procedures and Computerized System design and implementation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, report writing and communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills with practical knowledge of and experience in accounting software

7. Language requirement

• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages is a requirement; Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages will be an added advantage.

8. Tenure of Appointment

• The position shall be for an initial period of two years (2 Years ) of which six month will be considered as probation and shall be renewed for additional two years after satisfactory performance evaluation and subject to funding availability.

9. Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply

10. Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 83,070.00 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff and US$ 71,466.41 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website

http://www.aucareers.org not later than 12 th October 2015

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management

African Union Commission

• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages is a requirement; Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages will be an added advantage.

8. Tenure of Appointment

• The position shall be for an initial period of two years (2 Years ) of which six month will be considered as probation and shall be renewed for additional two years after satisfactory performance evaluation and subject to funding availability.

9. Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply

10. Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 83,070.00 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff and US$ 71,466.41 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website

http://www.aucareers.org not later than 12 th October 2015

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management

African Union Commission