Economist (Donor Funds) at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

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: Economist (Donor Funds)

Reference: ECW-FIN-REC/P/006/2017
Location: ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Department: 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 Head of Donor Unit, the Economist (Donor Funds) has responsibility for assisting with the development of financial policies and the execution of these policies relating to the management of Donor funds.
• The incumbent shall also be responsible for the recording and reporting on all donor funds in accordance with respective agreements with such donors.

General Description

• A major responsibility of this position is liaising with Donors and managing the Donor financial transactions that are required to produce the periodic Donor financial reports.
• The Economist will be responsible for generating accurate, timely and complete financial information monthly/quarterly as required by the Financial Regulations and this would include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Key Performance Indicators Analysis, etc.
• In addition, the Economist would spend time on the supervision of the work of his staff as well as providing guidance, and motivating and mentoring, which would be important to the success of this position.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that all donor funds are recorded and reported on a timely basis in accordance with the extant donor agreements;
• Supervise the production of quarterly donor financial statements including income and expenditure statements, balance sheet, analysis of advances and related reports on a timely basis;
• Implement financial policies and plans and ensures that financial management practice is in operation and adequate for the management of donor funds in the custody of the Commission;
• Recommend for approval, financial controls, which would include approvals and authorization and a review of all financial processes and financial systems;
• Recommends for approval refinements to managerial and accounting aspects of the reporting process (including electronic data processing) to maximize the benefits of management information obtainable from the financial database;
• Manage and ensure that all financial activities leading to the final accounts are carried out in a proper fashion including the preparation of Bank reconciliation statements and management of Donor Assets including Recording and Management of Advances and Accounts Payable and Receivables;
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and projects;
• Participate in the mobilisation of resources and partner to support ECOWAS integration Agenda;
• Liaise with project implementers/owners and sponsors
• Plan, integrate and coordinate the work of staff responsible for the work leading to the reporting on donor funds and monitor objectives of reporting improvements.
• Assist to develop, implement, modify, and document record keeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
• Prepare, examine, or analyse accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
• 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

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (or equivalent academic qualification) with additional 5 years of relevant record of professional experience. Basic accounting knowledge will be an 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, Accounting, Procurement and Grants at both the Institution and programme and project levels will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of general aspects of financial management software and/or of at least one ERP software. Previous specific experience with SAP will be an asset.
• Minimum of 2 years of previous work with donor funded projects (EU, WB, USAID, DFID, GIZ, etc.), and good knowledge of Donors’ accounting, disbursement and reporting procedures.
• Strong knowledge of Programme and Project Reporting, Financial and Economic Analyses and Financial Control techniques.
• 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.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to write high-quality reports.
• 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 decisions.

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.

Application Closing Date
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: [email protected]

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word Format)