The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional grouping with 15 Member States in West Africa (three landlocked and one island) with a population of about 300million and an annual economic growth rate of around 6%. The ECOWAS Commission is one of the eight Regional Economic Communities supporting the African Union to coordinate the implementation of continental and regional integration and development programmes in the West African region.
We are currently seeking to employ suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position below:
Job Title: Accountant (Treasury Management)
Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/004/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Finance
Directorate: Finance
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant
Duration: Two years (with extension subject to “Staff Regulation” of the ECOWAS Commission, satisfactory performance and availability of funds)
Job Objective
- Reporting directly to the Principal Accountant (Cash & Banks), the Accountant, Treasury Management has responsibility for an efficient and effective management of the Commission’s funds.
- He should ensure that the Commission’s funds are managed and disbursed in accordance with the Financial Regulation of the ECOWAS Commission.
General Description
- A major responsibility of this position is spent in analysing finances of the Commission and proposing strategies for cost reduction.
- The Accountant (Treasury Management) oversees the organization’s investments. He also oversees financial operations such as lease financing if any, which includes analysing bid proposals, negotiating bid terms and determining how payments will work.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise the Treasury section and ensure that principles of management and safeguard of funds in the custody of the Commission are carried out in accordance with the Financial Regulations;
- Implement Accounting Policies and plans that ensure accounting practice in operation responds to adequate control over cash management of the organization;
- Oversee the preparation of Cash Flow statements to determine periodically, the net cash position of the Commission;
- Provides cash management and investment skills to help increase short-term and long- term financial value of the Commissions’ funds;
- Supervise, check and certify the accuracy of Bank reconciliation statements for all the Bank accounts of the Commission and ensure that they are safely filed for both the Internal and External Auditors;
- Liaise with the Banks and monitor, evaluate, investigate and document everyday financial transactions, and promptly resolve any errors or misstatements found on the Bank statements;
- Oversee the operation of the Treasury Unit and make proposals on the best form of investment for surplus funds at the level of the Commission;
- Supervise and ensure that staff working on bank reconciliations are provided with all the logistics necessary to achieve the objective;
- Take steps to propose changes or improvements to existing financial controls, financial and management reports that would enhance the treasury management system. Partner periodically with the accounting, audit and investment analysis staff to ensure that controls and internal procedures in treasury systems are adequate and operational;
- Monitor bank charges and income on investments and ensure that these are accurately reflected in the Accounts of the Commission;
- Carry out periodic surveys and recurrent review of bank charges and interest rates on investments;
- Represent the Finance Department at inter-departmental and inter-institutional meetings during the absence of the Director of Finance or as and when delegated;
- Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- In addition, the incumbent would spend time on the supervision of the work of his/her staff including providing solutions to cash management problems and other treasury problems as they arise from time to time.
- Providing guidance, motivating and mentoring staff would be important to the success of this position.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (or equivalent qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Being a professional accountant (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA etc.) will be an added advantage.
- A higher degree will reduce the number of years of experience to three (3);
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluent) in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS Community (English, French and Portuguese). Good working knowledge of a second Community language will be an added advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of financial accounting principles and concepts including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Experience with EU Pillar Assessment on Internal Control and Accounting will be an added advantage.
- Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
- Ability to operate standard Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access)
- Good inter-personal skills and team working ability necessary to enable effective interaction in performing key financial activities of other team members and supervise their works, including peers. Proven record of experience in multicultural environments will be an added advantage.
- Ability to set and meet deadlines including strong ability to manage multiple tasks to completion and with set deadlines.
- Ability to make recommendations on key financial and managerial issues.
Language:
- Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.
Annual Salary
USD 36,901 – USD 44,469.
Job Title: Accountant (Receivables)
Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/003/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Finance
Directorate: Finance
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant
Duration: Two years (with extension subject to “Staff Regulation” of the ECOWAS Commission, satisfactory performance and availability of funds)
Job Objective
- Reporting directly to the Senior Accountant (Receivables), the Accountant has a responsibility for the execution of financial policies and regulations relating to the recording of amounts due to the Commission and to follow up and regularize any advances due from staff and other debtors.
- The incumbent will be required to ensure all ledger reconciliations and maintain an up to date record of all accounts.
General Description
- A major responsibility of this position is performing and managing the daily, weekly and monthly financial activities that are required for the proper preparation of financial statements.
- The Accountant will be responsible for generating accurate, timely and complete financial statements on receivables in accordance with the Financial Regulations.
- In addition, the accountant would spend time on the supervision of the work of his/her subordinates including providing solutions on regularisation of advances and recovery of amounts due from debtors. Providing guidance and motivating and mentoring staff would be important to the success of this position.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise and produce the requisite monthly, quarterly and annual statements of all receivables due to the ECOWAS Commission;
- Follow up on staff and other debtor ledgers with a view to collecting and regularizing all amounts due to the ECOWAS;
- Supervise and review posting of transactions into the accounting software;
- Liaise with staff and other debtors to ensure that all outstanding amounts are settled promptly on their due dates;
- Ensure efficient and effective functioning and maintenance of the accounting software.
- Check and certify the accuracy of the receivable ledgers and ensure reconciliation from any discrepancies observed;
- Supervise subordinate staff working on reconciliation statements and ensure that they are provided with all the logistics needed for the proper accomplishment of the job;
- Perform other related duties as required;
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (or equivalent qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Being a professional accountant (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA etc.) will be an added advantage.
- A higher degree will reduce the number of years of experience to three (3);
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluent) in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS Community (English, French and Portuguese). Good working knowledge of a second Community language will be an added advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of financial accounting principles and concepts including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Experience with EU Pillar Assessment on Internal Control and Accounting will be an added advantage.
- Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
- Ability to operate standard Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access)
- Good inter-personal skills and team working ability necessary to enable effective interaction in performing key financial activities of other team members and supervise their works, including peers. Proven record of experience in multicultural environments will be an added advantage
- Ability to set and meet deadlines including strong ability to manage multiple tasks to completion and with set deadlines.
- Ability to make recommendations on key financial and managerial issues.
Language:
- Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.
Annual Salary
USD 36,901 – USD 44,469.
Job Title: Accountant (Financial Reporting & Reconciliation)
Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/002/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Finance
Directorate: Finance
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant
Duration: Two years (with extension subject to “Staff Regulation” of the ECOWAS Commission, satisfactory performance and availability of funds)
Job Objective
- Reporting directly to the Principal Accountant (Reporting & Reconciliation), the Accountant has a responsibility for the execution of financial policies and regulations in the area of production of financial statements including Income & Expenditure statements, Balance Sheet and other reports as may be required by management.
- Ensure all ledger reconciliations and maintain an up to date record of all accounts.
General Description
- A major responsibility of this position is performing or managing the daily, weekly, and monthly financial activities that are required for the proper preparation of financial statements.
- The Accountant will be responsible for generating accurate, timely and complete financial statements, weekly/monthly/quarterly as required by the Financial Regulations.
- In addition, the Accountant would spend time on the supervision of the work of his staff including providing solutions to bank reconciliation problems as they arise from time to time. Providing guidance, motivating and mentoring of staff would be important to the success of this position.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise and produce the requisite monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements with related notes;
- Supervise an up to date reconciliation of all ledgers so as to ensure the validity of financial statements in accordance with extant regulations;
- Supervise and review posting of transactions into the accounting software;
- Ensure efficient and effective functioning and maintenance of the accounting software;
- Liaise with the banks to provide weekly and monthly bank statements for all the bank accounts and ensure prompt update and reconciliation of each bank account;
- Check and certify the correctness of the bank reconciliation statements and ensure that they are filed safely for the review of both internal and external auditors;
- Liaise with the bank for any errors or misstatements found on the bank statements;
- Supervise staff working on reconciliation statements and ensure that they are provided with all the logistics needed for the proper accomplishment of the job;
- Ensure that guidelines and policies for cash operations are adequate and effective, and that such policies prevent significant errors in cash management;
- Provide reports on all dormant accounts and ensure prompt action is taken on them;
- Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications, Knowledge, skills and abilities Required
- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (or equivalent qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Being a professional accountant (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA etc.) will be an added advantage.
- A higher degree will reduce the number of years of experience to three (3);
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluent) in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS Community (English, French and Portuguese). Good working knowledge of a second Community language will be an added advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of financial accounting principles and concepts including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Experience with EU Pillar Assessment on Internal Control and Accounting will be an added advantage.
- Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
- Sound knowledge of Financial Reporting, Financial Statements Analysis, and Financial Control techniques.
- Ability to operate standard Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access)
- Good inter-personal skills and team working ability necessary to enable effective interaction in performing key financial activities of other team members and supervise their works, including peers. Proven record of experience in multicultural environments will be an added advantage.
- Ability to set and meet deadlines including strong ability to manage multiple tasks to completion and with set deadlines.
- Ability to make recommendations on key financial and managerial issues.
Language:
- Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.
Annual Salary
USD 36,901 – USD 44,469.
Job Title: Accountant (Payables & Advances)
Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/001/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Finance
Directorate: Finance
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Principal Accountant
Duration: Two years (with extension subject to “Staff Regulation” of the ECOWAS Commission, satisfactory performance and availability of funds)
Job Objective
- Reporting directly to the Principal Accountant (Accounts payable), the Accountant has a responsibility for the execution of financial policies and regulations in the area of Accounts Payable and other contract expenditure processing including payment of advances and update of related books of accounts for the ECOWAS Commission.
General Description
- A major responsibility of this position is supervising staff to review invoices as well as check payment requests;
- Sort, organize and match bills and check demands;
- Set invoices up for payment;
- Put together and process Institution accounts payable check, reconciliation of obligations;
- Prepare analysis associated with accounts;
- Monitor Institution accounts to ensure payments to be up to date;
- Resolve bill discrepancies;
- Vendor document maintenance;
- Respond to vendor enquiries;
- Produce monthly reports;
- Assist in month end and annual closing.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for creating and maintaining all vendor master records in the financial system;
- Supervise and train Accounts Payable staff for maximum efficiency and output;
- Review the work of Payables staff to ensure all payables are properly documented, properly approved, coded to active and valid codes in accordance with the ECOWAS Financial Regulations and the Manual of Accounting Procedures;
- Process all employee/consultant claims for travel-related and other expenses;
- Monitor ageing and due dates of payables and arrange to account and pay in a timely manner;
- Act as liaison between Vendors, Consultants, Employees and/or Internal Sectors/Departments and Accounts Payable within the Finance Directorate and offer impeccable customer service;
- Review/reconcile vendor statements on a regular basis;
- Prepare and submit monthly reports for management review;
- Investigate Vendor, Consultant and Employee inquiries and track down delinquent invoices;
- Ensure accurate and timely filing of all AP related vouchers and records to enable easy retrieval of documents and ensure proper archiving of prior fiscal year documents;
- Retrieve and furnish all relevant vouchers and details for internal and external audits.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (or equivalent qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Being a professional accountant (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA etc.) will be an added advantage.
- A higher degree will reduce the number of years of experience to three (3);
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluent) in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS Community (English, French and Portuguese). Good working knowledge of a second Community language will be an added advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of financial accounting principles and concepts including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Experience with EU Pillar Assessment on Internal Control and Accounting will be an added advantage.
- Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
- Ability to operate standard Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access).
- Good inter-personal skills and team working ability necessary to enable effective interaction in performing key financial activities of other team members and supervise their works, including peers. Proven record of experience in multicultural environments will be an added advantage.
- Ability to set and meet deadlines including strong ability to manage multiple tasks to completion and with set deadlines.
- Ability to make recommendations on key financial and managerial issues.
Language:
- Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.
Annual Salary
USD 36,901 – USD 44,469.
Deadline: 29th August, 2017.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the “Application Form” below, fill the form and send it as an e-mail attachment along with their CV’s to: ecorys@ecowas.int
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