AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a non‐profit, autonomous international agricultural research and development center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. AVRDC conducts research and development that contribute to improved income and balanced diets in the developing world through increased production and consumption of health‐promoting vegetables. For more information about AVRDC ‐ The World Vegetable Center, please visit our website: www.avrdc.org.
The Center is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Finance and Administration Officer to oversee general finance and administration of AVRDC’s operations in West and Central Africa. The position will be based at AVRDC’s Office for Western and Central Africa in Bamako, Mali and will report to the Regional Director. This position is open only for nationals or legal residents of Mali.
Duties and responsibilities
The Finance and Administration Officer has the responsibility to work with the Regional Director for efficient finance and administration and support together with maintaining thorough records of the regional office.
Specific duties include:
Regional level:
• Provide advice and oversight on financial procedures in all the AVRDC‐WCA offices.
• Assist the Regional Director in compilation of annual budget for the region and monitoring of the budget throughout the year.
• Assist the Regional Director in ensuring compliance with host Government and statutory procedural rules and regulations/requirements regarding staff payroll, taxation, contractors’ fees, VAT, insurance etc.
• Assist the AVRDC‐WCA offices with streamlining financial administrative policies and procedures in close consultation with Head quarters financial services.
• Assist the scientists in the drafting of prospective programmatic budgets, and determine cost effectiveness of prospective service delivery.
• Review and approve transaction entries in the ERP system for all AVRDC‐WCA offices (including project offices).
• Conduct regular checks and ensure that staffs in all locations comply with the financial guidelines of the Center.
• Train accounting personnel and other users on accounting controls and procedures of the center.
• Analyze financial reports and statements and provide updates and reconciliation to Headquarters.
• Prepare financial statements and analysis in support to financial reports to donors as may be delegated by HQ financial services.
• Assist the internal, external and donor auditors during financial audits and review audit materials.
Bamako Office:
• Train the finance and other staff on raising awareness and knowledge of financial management matters.
• Ensure the computation and payment of nationally recruited staff salaries and allowances.
• Maintain internal control of financial assets of AVRDC‐WCA.
• Monitor banking activities and liaison with banks of AVRDC‐WCA.
• Oversee the maintenance of the inventory of all fixed assets, including assets purchased with donor’s funds in accordance with AVRDC’s regulations.
• Ensure daily approval of payments, receipts, purchases and any other transaction in the ERP system of the center.
• Ensure that all purchases follow the center’s purchasing procedure and processed through the center’s ERP system.
• Ensure that all payments are in accordance with the center’s financial regulations and are done within the ERP system like salaries, fees, suppliers, utilities, wages etc.
• Ensure timely preparation of monthly bank and cash accounts reconciliation and submission to HQ together with the fund request from HQ.
• Supervise the day to day activity of the finance staff in Bamako office.
• Perform any other professional duty as may be assigned from time to time by the Regional Director for AVRDC‐WCA.
Qualification and Experience:
• Must hold an advance degree in accountancy or a professional accounting qualification with a first degree in Accountancy;
• Must be competent in computing (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, etc) preferably with proficiency in any of the ERP or financial accounting systems (Deltek/Maconomy, oracle, sun, platinum SAGE, etc.);
• Must have a minimum of five years experience, preferably with an international development organization or audit firm at a senior level;
• Must be capable of multitasking while paying attention to detail and delivering quality outputs under short timelines and pressure;
• Must be able to work in a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team;
• Must possess good communication and writing skills;
• Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English are mandatory requirements .
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, one recent passport size photograph, names and contact addresses (phone number and e‐mail) of three referees, attested copies of degrees/experience certificates obtained, and a letter highlighting relevant work experience, including a statement explaining your interest in working for AVRDC‐ The World Vegetable Center and date of availability. Send to: Regional Director, AVRDC‐The World Vegetable Center, ICRISAT campus, B.P. 320 Bamako, Mali; e‐mail: yvette.dossa@worldveg.org, Tel: +22320709200; Fax: +22320709201, before 15 December 2014.
Only short listed applicants will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date.
Appointment: The initial appointment is for one year. Subsequent renewals are based on performance and funding availability.