The MDG Centre was established in July 2004 by The Earth Institute (EI) at Columbia University (New York) and the UN Millennium Project with a broad purpose of assisting countries to develop operational strategies for achieving the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), and to support their implementation at both local and national levels. In early 2006, the MDG Centre reorganized the programme to establish two sub-regional centres covering East and Southern Africa (based in Nairobi) and West and Central Africa (based in Bamako). The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) serves as the administrative host of the MDG Centre – WCA, based on a services agreement with the Earth Institute.
The MDG Centre – West and Central Africa focuses on two complementary scales:
(i) the national level, through support provided to processes related to MDGs based on national strategies planning and implementation; and
(ii) the local level, to assist and empower pilot African villages and cities so that inhabitants lift themselves out of their poverty trap and achieve all MDGs through the Millennium Villages Project (MVP) and the Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI).
The initial countries of concentration of the MDG Centre – West and Central Africa are Mali, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria with a possibility of expansion to other West African countries.
The position:
Overall purpose of the job
To manage and supervise all accounting and financial affairs of the MDG Centre -WCA region and to consolidate and channel all administrative information, to include human resources management information, to be sent to Headquarters of ICRAF, and EI at Columbia University, in liaison with the ICRAF Regional Financial Manager.
Supervision
• The incumbent will report directly to the MDG Centre-WCA Director while maintaining a functional reporting relationship to the ICRAF-WCA/Sahel Representative and Regional Finance Manager based in Bamako, Mali. He/She will supervise one Account Assistant and one Procurement Assistant.
Main tasks of the job:
• Manage financial reporting and the accounting system for the region including the preparation of periodic financial reports to donors and management, monthly bank reconciliations and cash verification, approving accounting transactions and examining, reviewing and analyzing all vouchers and other documents for payment and certification.
• Maintain accounting records and banking records for all accounts for the different sites of the MDG Centre –WCA region.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls over financial transactions and business processes.
• Monitor expenditures and revenues and provide guidance on financial reporting.
• Communicate routinely with the Earth Institute Financial Team, as well as with research grant project managers, regarding project budgets and expenses and annual Centre budgets.
• Produce reports on spending for each grant, to include analysis of conformity with donor requirements, in accordance with ICRAF and EI accounting and reporting procedures.
• Maintain updated records of all account receivables from staff and others, and diligently monitor to ensure settlement of outstanding amounts.
• Maintain accurate records of all account payables to suppliers for utilities and other services.
• Supervise the production of the imprest returns.
• Ensure that advances made to employees are properly justified and on time.
• Ensure quality, accurate and timely submission of monthly accounting returns including follow up of returns from collaborators and review of expenditures to ensure compliance with ICRAF policies.
• Manage an annual budget for the Centre of approximately $3 million per year. Lead budget preparation by providing instructions and guidance in the formulation of resource allocation in the region.
• Perform quarterly budget analysis and report to the MDG WCA Director on expenditure trends, projected budget overruns and recommend corrective measures where necessary.
• Review the accuracy of monthly expenditure reports and highlight issues arising for follow-up.
• Monitor local and international staff travel.
• Maintain schedules of fixed assets and a filing system within the established format and procedures, and ensure data safety.
• Ensure property and facilities are insured according to ICRAF procedures.
• Maintain and periodically validate the fixed assets register; ensure newly purchased assets are documented in accordance with ICRAF procedures.
• Process and prepare all recruitments, local and regional, in accordance with ICRAF procedures.
• Assist with clearance form processing for departing personnel.
• Oversee and process tax filing and social security filing monthly.
• Ensure employee insurance coverage is active and properly documented.
• Additional administrative duties as may be assigned by the Director, MDG Centre-WCA.
Qualifications & Experience:
• A professional accounting/business qualification equivalent to a MBA or CPA; or a graduate education with a degree in financial management and accounting.
• At least 5 years experience in financial management and accounting in a similar position with a commercial, non-governmental or development organization.
• Undertaking and application of financial practices, policies, concepts and procedures.
• Proficiency in purchasing, understanding and application of procurement procedures.
• Proficiency and demonstrated experience in MS Office data and spreadsheet programs, and at least one accounting software system (Sun Systems, QuickBooks, Peachtree, etc).
• Understanding of local laws and practices in the West and Central Africa region in regard to financial and taxation policies.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a finance team.
• Team builder and team player.
• Fluency in both French and English (spoken and written).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a multicultural environment.
• Possesses an active passport and is able and willing to travel internationally. Travel is anticipated in the West-Central Africa region, with possible travel to Kenya and the United States.
• Testimonials from previous employers attesting the incumbent’s qualifications, performance and integrity.
Terms of offer
MDG/ICRAF offers a regionally competitive salary paid in Francs CFA with an excellent benefits package. The employment contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of renewal. ICRAF prides itself on its collegial, supportive and gender sensitive working environment and believes that staff diversity promotes excellence. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications
Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: ICRAF Sahel: icraf-wca@cgiar.org with copy to: icraf-aht@cgiar.org “Application for MDG-WCA Finance and Administration Officer” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Applications will be considered until 16th July, 2010 or until the position is filled.
Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about us at: www.worldagroforestry.org, www.millenniumpromise.org, www.unmillenniumproject.org, www.mdgcentre.org