Senior Financial Management Specialist Vacancy at African Development Bank

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s mission is to help reduce poverty, improve living conditions for Africans and mobilize resources for the continent’s economic and social development. With this objective in mind, the institution aims at assisting African countries – individually and collectively - in their efforts to achieve sustainable economic development and social progress. Combating poverty is at the heart of the continent’s efforts to attain sustainable economic growth. To this end, the Bank seeks to stimulate and mobilize internal and external resources to promote investments as well as provide its regional member countries with technical and financial assistance.

African Development Bank (AFDB) is recruiting for Senior Financial Management Specialist

* Position title: Senior Financial Management Specialist
* Grade: PL-5
* Position N°: NA
* Reference: ADB/09/120
* Publication date: 04/08/2009
* Closing date: 30/08/2009

Objectives

The primary role of this Department is to contribute to the Bank’s Vision of poverty reduction through increased agricultural production, productivity, marketing and trade in its Regional member Countries (RMCs) thereby increasing farm incomes and the welfare of rural populations in general, and agricultural producers in particular. The Department will strive to do this through greater support for technology transfer, rural infrastructure development, capacity building and agricultural processing, marketing and trade links in RMCs.
Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Division Manager, OSAN.2, the duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not be limited to the following tasks:

* Carry out all activities relating to the financial management of agricultural portfolio and ensure their proper implementation in accordance with Bank policy and procedures.
* Supervise project implementation at the headquarters and in the field, and carry out all activities required to ensure achievement of projects objectives and advise executing agencies in the application of Bank rules and procedures;
* Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of financial management systems at the Executing Agencies and Project Implementation Units;
* Participate in projects formulation and to multidisciplinary missions covering all the phases of the project cycle (identification, preparation, evaluation, supervision and completion report) for rural and agricultural project;
* During the project/program preparation missions, evaluate the Borrower’s accounting systems and controls to ensure that their standards are acceptable as well as provide advisory technical support to the project/program team on matters of financial analysis and financial management;
* Review the reliability, accuracy and integrity of financial and automated management information systems to ensure that such systems employ sufficient controls to minimize potential misuse of the project resources;
* Evaluate impact of legislative action, executive orders and Controller/Auditor General decisions on project financial management/operations;
* Participate in the project/program launching mission to assist the project/program team in developing capacity of the Executing Agency in the area of financial management;
* Maintain a system of monitoring the compliance with the Bank’s Financial Guidelines by the Borrowers and actions taken by project management to implement internal and external audit recommendations and reporting on the status of implementation;
* Establish procedures and safeguards against fraud and fund losses;
* Review, comment on projects reports and participate in working group meetings on lending and non-lending activities;
* Review audit reports on project accounts and financial statements of projects, and ensure proper management of the resources of the Bank and the Borrower, in general;
* Regular reporting to management on significant issues related to the financial management of the OSAN.2 projects portfolio;
* Liaise with the internal auditors (OAGL), disbursement officers (FFCO), Procurement and Financial Management Department (ORPF) and Task Managers as appropriate, for the purpose of assuring optimal financial accountability within Bank-financed projects and programs to ensure that disbursement activities proceed smoothly;
* Facilitate and undertake training seminars/workshops on projects financial management for Borrowers and Bank Staff;
* Contribute to the formulation and revision of rules and procedures with respect to financial management;
* Contribute to the preparation of financial management guidelines, manuals, guidance notes on various issues for use by the Operations and other departments;
* Contribute to budget preparation;
* Maintain liaison with other donor agencies to develop harmonised standards for financial management policies, procedures and reporting;
* Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Division Manager and/or the Senior Management.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

* At least a Master’s or equivalent degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or relevant disciplines. Professional qualifications such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, Expert Comptable would be an added advantage;
* A minimum of five (5) years of relevant working experience is required;
* Strong analytical skills and ability to understand and solve complex project management problems;
* Ability to work in teams; good facilitation, interpersonal, communication skills; resourcefulness, attention to details;
* Ability to work in multi tasking, under pressure to meet tight deadlines with quality output and results.
* Dynamic, achievement-focused professional with a high degree of personal commitment;
* Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French with good working knowledge of the other language;
* Good mastery of standard computer applications (Microsoft office package) with knowledge of SAP as a plus.

APPLICATION
Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted. Applicants will only be considered if they submit (preferably electronically, to: recruit@afdb.org) a fully completed Personal History Form (PHF), CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PHF (also available from the Bank’s web site), and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth and nationality.

The President, ADB, reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.

The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Closing Date for Application is 30th August 2009