Accounts Assistant at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is a forum for policy dialogue on education and it is hosted by the African Development Bank.  Its vision is to create “high-quality African education and training geared towards the promotion of critical skills for accelerated and sustainable development in Africa”.  Its mission therefore is to “serve as an open and flexible pan-African organization that informs and facilitates the transformation of education and training to drive Africa’s accelerated and sustainable development”. It acts as a catalyst in promoting innovative policies and practices through the pooling of ideas, experiences, learning and knowledge. Its overall goal is to contribute to the development of equitable and high-quality education through concerted efforts by African Governments and their partners.

ADEA’s main organs are its Steering Committee, Executive Committee, the Secretariat and the Working Groups.  The Secretariat is its administrative arm which implements ADEA’s work programs and budget on a day-to-day basis by organizing conferences, statutory meetings, Biennales/Triennials; managing communications and knowledge; and coordinating the work of the Working Groups. It also implements the decisions and resolutions of ADEA’s governance entities.

The objective of this position is to process and reconcile accounting documents such as invoices, employee reimbursements, cash receipts, vendor statements, and journal vouchers; prepare and process documents to disburse funds, prepare reports; compile and review information for accuracy; and maintain records.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assist the Finance and Budget Officer in preparing timely quarterly, mid-year and annual financial statements and reports for submission to the Steering Committee
• Ensure compliance with the internal financial and accounting policies and procedures of both the host institution and ADEA;
• Develop annual work program jointly with the Finance and Budget Officer in support of the implementation of the annual work program of the Secretariat and the Working Groups;
• Operate the financial accounting systems for cash management, accounts payable and accounts receivable book keeping entries;
• Review monthly utilization of budgetary resources for the implementation of the annual work programs and provide reports on monthly variance as compared to the approved budget;
• Work closely with the Secretariat and the Working Groups to prudently manage overheads while also exploring areas for savings;
• Document and maintain up-to-date and accurate data on all accounting transactions;
• Work collaboratively with the Internal Control Unit of the host institution to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the ADEA’s accounting and financial systems;
• Build the capacity of the Working Groups to understand and effectively use accounting policies, standards and guidelines;
• Process the monthly payments to consultants, short term staff and other service providers;
• Liaise with the office of the Financial Controller of the host institution for guidance in preparing appropriate documents and reports for the annual audit by the external auditors;
• Reconcile bank accounts, manage cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts taking cognizance of ADEA’s sources of income and prevailing conditions;
• Prepare periodic reports on ADEA’s financial status.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional work experience in an international organization, NGO or development agency;
• Ability to analyze and prepare financial reports, statements and forecasts;
• Strong analytical ability, and capacity to multi-task and work under pressure in order to meet competing deadlines;
• Integrity, initiative, credibility, diligence and attention to detail in managing work, recording transactions and preparing reports and financial statements;
• Sensitive, tactful, flexible, trustworthy, and demonstrates respect for confidentiality;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across functional units within the host institution, and with internal clients and external stakeholders in a multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent skills in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint); experience in the use of ERP/SAP is desirable;
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English or French and a working knowledge of the other.