Purpose of Job

To provide technical support in budget preparation, resource planning, budget administration and reporting.

Main Functions

• Research and recommend new developments on areas of improvement in budget matters and policies
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AfCFTA’s internal use.
• Assist in the following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders

Specific Responsibilities

Budget Formulation and Resource Planning

• Ensure legislative mandates of AfCFTA are accurately translated into operational and programme budgets;
• Draft guidance for budget preparation and execution and ensure close coordination of requirements with managers;
• Prepare cost estimates, reviews and analyses data to facilitate formulation of budget proposals;
• Consolidate all program and operational budget submissions from all Divisions;
• Support the Director of Finance, Head of Division and Head of Unit to defend the budget upon presentation to AU Policy Organs;
• Provide policy advice to managers on budgetary and financial matters to facilitate sound budget submissions;

Budget administration

Ensure that expenditures are incurred in compliance with the financial policy framework of African Union;

• Monitor budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds, when necessary, to managers;
• Monitor budget expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels, and recommends corrective actions;
• Review all requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and ensures availability of funds. With delegated authority, certifies the funds availability in line with approved budget and activities;
• Prepare monthly budget expenditure reports for management decision making; with variance analysis and explanation;
• Prepare budget execution for the policy organs consideration; with recommendations on challenges experienced;
• Consolidate all requests for budget re-allocation and submits for approval including a report to policy organ;
• Review all submissions for supplementary budget against set criteria in line with the AU Financial rules and regulations;
• Prepare the mid-year budget performance review.

Other

• Provide support in the financial management of Partner Funds of AfCFTA. Provide relevant information to the Accounting Unit for the preparation of general and special purpose financial statements for various stakeholders including Office Internal Oversight (OIO) and Board of External Auditors (BOEA);
• Provide audit support in the assigned area and respond to audit queries.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide objective performance appraisal reports;
• Perform other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Draft guidance for budget preparation and execution and ensure close coordination of requirements with managers;
• Coordinate budget preparation, reallocation/virement and supplementary budget;
• Review, consolidate and compile the draft budget proposals of various Divisions;
• Manage and monitor budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary;
• Provide technical advice to Divisions on budgetary matters;
• Provide data for the preparation of year-end performance reports.
• Undertake research and analysis of financial and budgetary policies and practices and makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications to achieve efficiency and optimization of resources.
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with 5 years of relevant work experience in a national or international organization.

Or

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a national or international organization.

• A professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, Expert Comptable or equivalent will be added advantage.
• Hands-on experience in budget preparation and administration in an international organization is desirable;
• Experience with financial systems/finance module of enterprise resource planning (ERP) such as SAP, or similar ERP is required.
• Advance knowledge in the application of Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Planning and organizational skills
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage