Call for Interest - Finance and Accounting Specialist - Short term opportunity for 11 months for Temporary Professional Officer

Job Description

The Finance and Accounting Specialist supports the fiduciary administration of all programmes and works under the supervision of the Programme Manager (SD3C & 1Sahel Coordinator), with close collaboration with the Senior Regional Financial Management Officer for WCA.

The Finance and Accounting Specialist supports the fiduciary administration of both programmes and works under the general supervision of the One Sahel -SD3C programme manager with close engagement Senior Programme Coordinators of AICRM and IGREENFIN I and the FMD Senior Officer for WCA.

Responsibilities

• 1.CONTRIBUTION TO MANAGEMENT OF PROGRAMMES: The Finance and Accounting Specialist organizes, animates, carries out the controls necessary for a standardized management in a permanent and exhaustive, objective and relevant, reliable and useful way.
• As such, the Finance and Accounting Specialist will have to ensure in particular: the regular and adequate application of procedures in the implementation of all operations.
• the organization of the planning of administrative, financial and accounting work to guarantee the correct and exhaustive keeping of the accounts of the Programmes, in compliance with the deadlines set.
• technical support to the management units in the countries participating in the programmes for the correct and exhaustive keeping of the accounts of the Programme at their level and their contribution to the regional planning of administrative, financial and accounting work.
• the consistency of the cash flow and the effectiveness of the mobilization of internal resources (counterpart of the States participating in the programme) and external (IFAD and others). As such, he/she draws up cash plans to ensure the resources necessary for the implementation of activities at all times. Finally, he/she ensures that resources are put in place in accordance with funding agreements; (e) Safeguarding the Programme's heritage.

• 2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: The Finance and Accounting Specialist is accountable for the correct implementation of the financial management information systems, the security of the tools that make it up (software and hardware) and the backup of applications and files.
• the organization of work plans allowing the proper performance of administrative, financial and accounting work.
• participation in determining guidelines for the development of activity forecasts and budgets.
• The implementation of all necessary elements and take all sufficient measures for the preparation, elaboration, submission, examination by the Steering Committees of Programmes of activities and budgets.
• budget monitoring.
• monitoring and updating the chart of accounts.
• supervision of the preparation and control of accounting reports.
• proper execution of treasury and financing procedures. In particular, ensure compliance with the obligations to justify expenses imposed by Donors and Governments in order to have the resources necessary for the operation of the Programme.
• follow-up of VAT and customs duty exemption documents.
• the technical quality of accounting work: accounting entries, automatic controls, accuracy of balances, reliability and consistency of financial statements.
• the validity of the supporting documents underlying the transactions (form and funds), and carry out any timely, regular or unannounced checks to establish the reality of the payments and their consistency.

• 3. ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT: -
• The Finance and Accounting Specialist is managing the procurement process for regional activities; In addition, S/he is responsible for execution of the staff training plans.
• the preparation of missions and the necessary assistance during their stay.
• the establishment of action plans to follow up on the recommendations and the monitoring of their execution.
• preparation of periodic and annual Programme reports.
• the preparation of audits and evaluation of the Programmes and the execution of the recommendations.
• the response to the findings of the auditors on administrative and financial issues,
• Archiving of accounting and administrative documents and documents.
• Consolidation of the Programmes- financial and budget monitoring statements, interim and annual, in collaboration with the national coordination units.
• carrying out any other task assigned by the Regional Coordination Unit.

• 4. AGENT OF CHANGE: The incumbent understands and applies the principles of change management and proactively serves as a role model for transformation and capacity for acceptance of change.
• The incumbent uses a seasoned knowledge of results-based management and budgeting, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other information technology to develop, analyze and promote acceptance of new methods of work and automated workflows.
• The incumbent manages change through consultations with finance colleagues and outreach to internal and external stakeholders to build understanding of and to ensure open and regular communications pertaining to current and planned changes in the Fund's financial standards, regulations and rules.

• 5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Finance and Accounting Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources

Working Relationships

The Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) will be in charge of the overall coordination performance and monitoring of the programmes, reporting of results and impacts, knowledge management with the GGW, and south-south exchanges between countries.

The selected candidate will be engaged in a 6-year programme based in Dakar, operating within the Regional Coordination Unit. The successful candidate will report to the Programme Manager of the IFAD one Sahel initiative and will work in close coordination with the AICRM and IGREENFIN-1 coordinators.

Job Profile Requirements

Education:

Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://whed.net/home.php in Business Administration, Finance, Banking or related field is required

Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• - At least five (5) years' of progressively relevant sound international professional experience in private or public sector financial management in rural development programme (accounting, auditing, finance, economics, financial analysis, business administration and in project administration).
• - Perfect mastery of procedures in terms of fiduciary management, and specifically in terms of internal control and audit, procurement, request for withdrawal of funds and budget monitoring, etc.
• - In-depth knowledge of the SISCOHADA accounting framework.
• - Proven experience in consolidating financial statements from multiple implementation units.
• - A good knowledge of the management of contractual procedures and the legislation in force in the 6 countries participating in the programme.
• - Working knowledge of procedures for mobilizing counterpart funds.
• - A perfect command of computer programmes for financial and accounting management, in particular mastery of the TOMPRO software would be a decisive asset.
• - Knowledge of the usual computer tools and software: Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
• - Knowledge of IFAD procedures will be an asset.
• - Experience with an international financial institution, audit firm, NGO with global outreach or other relevant institution would be an asset.

Languages and other skills

English and French are required. (Excellent, 4)

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to complete the Personal History Form (PHF) in full, as this is the official document considered in the selection process. Incomplete PHFs may lead to disqualification. (Please note that CVs will not be reviewed). However, supporting documents such as certifications and covering letter may be attached.