Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance

International Opportunity

Job description

AU-AIP Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance

Reports to: Reports to the AU-AIP Senior Water and Climate Policy Advisor, with secondary reporting to the Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Duration: 2 years renewable, subject to performance and funds availability

Contract type: Desirable full time, Independent Contractor may be agreed as an option

1. BACKGROUND
The mandate of the African Union Commission (AUC) Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) is to:

  • Initiate, develop and promote continental policies, frameworks, and programmes to contribute to agricultural transformation, rural development, blue economy, and sustainable environment in line with the Agenda 2063;
  • Coordinate implementation of continental policy frameworks and programmes;
  • Mobilise resources and facilitate capacity building needed for the implementation of various initiatives and policies;
  • Monitor and report on Member States and Regional Economic Communities’ implementation of policy frameworks, programmes and decisions.

The Department has two Directorates:

  • The Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate, with two Divisions: Agriculture and Food Security Division and Rural Development Division;
  • The Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate, with two Divisions: Sustainable Environment Division (includes Water and Sanitation) and Climate Change and Blue Economy Division.

Part of the mandate of the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy is to assess the implementation of Water Commitments and the Africa Water Vision 2025 in order to update AU Heads of State.

2. CONTINENTAL AFRICA WATER INVESTMENT PROGRAMME (AIP)
On 6 September 2023, African Heads of State and Government committed to supporting the implementation of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), as part of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change. The AIP was adopted during the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government on 7 February 2021, as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan 2. The AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022-2032) recognizes the AIP as a flagship initiative for transforming water systems.

Delivery of water investments across Africa is significantly below target to meet the continent’s growing social and economic needs. It is estimated that at least an additional US$30 billion per year by 2030 needs to be invested to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation. Currently, only US$10-US$19 billion is invested each year.

The AIP aims to close the water investment gap by mobilising at least an additional US$30 billion annually by 2030 and creating five million jobs towards the African Water Vision 2025 and SDG water-related targets in 2030.

3. AU-AIP PROGRAMME OFFICER – ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
The AU-AIP Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance will support the AUC Water and Climate Team to enhance its coordination function of the AIP and other AUC initiatives related to water, sanitation, and climate change. The AU-AIP Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance will support AUC partnership coordination efforts and preparations for key pan-African and global water and climate change events including the World Water Forum, UNFCCC Climate Change negotiations, and other relevant events. The program officer will provide day-to-day administration, accounting and finance support to the AUC-AIP water team and other AIP-related initiatives including:

  • The AU-AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa;
  • AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard to enhance mutual accountability, transparency, and efficiency of water finance and investments;
  • Regional and national water investment programmes to close the water investment gap;
  • AIP International Blended Investment Mechanism to leverage public-private finance;
  • Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in water investment through the AIP Gender Transformative Water Climate Development Program (AIP WACDEP-G);
  • Other AUC-AIP partner initiatives on water, climate resilience, blue economy and gender equality.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The specific duties to be undertaken in support of the AUC water team are:

  • Assisting with budgeting, reporting, and expense tracking for projects and events;
  • Event coordination, office management, record keeping, and maintenance;
  • Project coordination, planning, and execution of projects;
  • Prepare documentation for payments and accounts payables;
  • Follow up on outstanding accounts receivables;
  • Verify the accuracy and completeness of all transactions;
  • Maintain all related financial files and records;
  • Assist with compiling annual operating budgets and forecasting of new and ongoing projects;
  • Development of quarterly administrative reports with accurate and timely information;
  • Administrating and managing procurement activities;
  • Managing administrative services, dealing closely with suppliers and contractors to ensure cost-effective, quality, and timely service delivery;
  • Assessing suppliers, products, and services as well as contract negotiation as part of procurement;
  • Performing regular internal control assessments to identify areas with potential audit, compliance, or financial risks;
  • Coordinating and scheduling appointments and meetings, keeping minutes of meetings;
  • Planning, organizing, implementation and coordinating of projects;
  • Planning and coordinating travel trips for management and stakeholders;
  • Manage the billing, invoicing, accounts payables and accounts receivables;
  • Bookkeeping;
  • Maintaining confidential records and files;
  • Ensuring timely follow-up on recruitments;
  • Ensuring transactions are properly recorded and entered into a database;
  • Verifying the accuracy and completeness of all transactions;
  • Preparing income statements, balance sheets, and performing audits;
  • Maintaining financial files and records;
  • Managing the billing, invoicing, accounts payables and accounts receivables;
  • Performing monthly reconciliations on all company transactions.

5. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The AU-AIP Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance will report directly to the AU-AIP Senior Water and Climate Policy Advisor, with secondary reporting to Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment. S/he will work as part of the AUC water team and work closely with the AU-AIP Programme Manager and the Director of Finance and Administration at the AU-AIP Secretariat hosted by GWPSA-Africa. The AU-AIP Programme Officer – Administration, Accounting and Finance will work closely with AUC administration and finance support staff in the Directorate of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union.

6. QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED EXPERIENCE

  • Master’s or postgraduate University Degree in Accounting and Finance, Development Finance, Public Administration or other related academic qualifications;
  • At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in Administration and Finance;
  • Experience in supervising people, working in a complex environment;
  • Proficient with Internet and Microsoft Office Finance Systems;
  • Multi-tasking skills and stress management skills;
  • Good written and verbal communications skills;
  • Demonstrated IT skills, experience working with online platforms;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills with the ability relay technical components in an easily understandable and relevant manner;
  • Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French is desirable but not required.
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural team across different countries and time-zones.

7. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applicants meeting all the above requirements are invited to express their interest through submission of the following:

  • A one-page motivation letter addressing the requirements as stated above;
  • A Curriculum Vitae;
  • Three professional references who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.
  • Applications should be submitted through to the Bamboo HR online system: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/91
  • Requests for further information or clarification/questions can be directed to the following email address: Ahmed Khalid Eldaw Mohamed MohamedAK@africa-union.org, Joseph Mbinji joseph.mbinji@gwpsaf.org, and Mark Naidoo mark.naidoo@gwpsaf.org.
  • Applications should be submitted not later than 17 October 2024.