OACPS Secretariat

Job Description

Post Title: Financial Controller

Grade:  P5

Office:  Office of the Secretary-General (OSG)

Supervisor:  Secretary-General

Duty Station:  OACPS Secretariat, Belgium

Posting period:  21 December 2021 to 31 January 2022

Post Number:  ACP/41/110/21/AFHR/HR/IAF

No. of Vacancies: 1

 

Organizational Context

 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Secretary-General, the Financial Controller provides oversight of all financial and accounting operations of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), ensuring quality, accuracy and consistency in the implementation of funding agreements, the Financial, Employment, and Staff Rules and Regulations. The Financial Controller adopts an approach geared toward the assurance of the regularity of all budgetary, financial and accounting in accordance with the agreements, rules and regulations of the Secretariat of the OACPS.

     

The Controller shall exercise vigilance and independence in her/his controls under the direct administrative authority of the Secretary-General. She/he sanctions, prior to the Secretary-General's approval, the statements of accounts, receivables, and expenditures, by affixing her/his signature and/or rendering an opinion on these statements. Any irregularities in finances overlooked by the Controller, would undermine and damage the credibility of the Organisation. The Controller analyses budget management, financial accounting and control, and makes suggestions for improvements to the Secretary-General, the Committee of Ambassadors, and the Council of Ministers.

 

The Controller has an oversight function, ensuring strict compliance with agreements, rules, and regulations, and acts as Senior Financial Advisor to the Secretary-General and the Committee of Ambassadors.

 

In the execution of her/his duties, the Financial Controller works closely with the Secretary-General, Assistant-Secretaries-General, and the Finance and Budget Unit of the Secretariat. She/he participates in various Evaluation and Steering Committees as observer to oversee the management of the OACPS Secretariat's internal and externa- funded projects/programmes. She/he also contributes to various working groups at the OACPS Secretariat, and participates in discussions with the European Commission and other donors in the context of the Secretariat's financial and accounting management and control.

 

Functions / Key Results Expected

 

Summary of Key Functions:

• Analyses and comments on any draft instrument of a financial nature in terms of financial and management implications and compliance with laid down agreements, rules, and regulations, including financial instruments for the signature of the Secretary-General.
• Prepares and submits quarterly and annual reports on budget execution to the Secretary-General and the Committee of Ambassadors. She/he also submits an annual Report to the OACPS Council of Ministers and formulates, where appropriate, proposals for improving the financial management of the OACPS Secretariat.
• Contributes to the implementation, improvement, and application of all financial regulations, agreements, rules, and accounting procedures.
• Identifies financial management challenges and makes recommendations for improvement to the Secretary-General, the OACPS Committee of Ambassadors, and the OACPS Council of Ministers.
• Any other task as required by the supervisor.

 

1. Analyses and comments on any draft instrument of a financial nature in terms of financial and management implications and compliance with laid down agreements, rules, and regulations, including financial instruments for the signature of the Secretary-General, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Ensure that appropriate and correct decisions are made by the Secretary-General or her/his authorised agent, by ensuring a complete and thorough examination and verification of draft instruments with financial and management implications.
• Ensure the correct and justified appropriation and/or allocation of funds by the OACPS Secretariat through thorough analysis and appropriate comments made on draft instruments.
• Promote sound financial and accounting practices to uphold the integrity of the OACPS Secretariat.
• Practices diligence with respect to accounts, receivables and expenditures.

 

1. Prepares and submits quarterly and annual reports on budget execution to the Secretary-General and the Committee of Ambassadors. She/he also submits an Annual Report to the OACPS Council of Ministers and formulates, where appropriate, proposals for improving the financial management of the OACPS Secretariat, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• The highest authorities of the OACPS are informed of the Organisation’s financial position with a view to obtaining their suggestions for improvement.
• The highest authorities and the development partners are assured of adequate financial control of the OACPS’ finances.

 

1. Contributes to the implementation, improvement, and application of all financial regulations, agreements, rules, and accounting procedures, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Management of the Secretariat’s finances based on internationally recognised standards.

 

1. Identifies financial management challenges and makes recommendations for improvement to the Secretary-General, the OACPS Committee of Ambassadors, and the OACPS Council of Ministers, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Secretariat is well managed financially.
• Timely correction of any irregularities.
• The Secretary-General and the OACPS Committee of Ambassadors warned in good time of any risk of a lack of resources for the successful implementation of the activities envisaged, so that urgent measures are taken to speed up the payment of Member States’ contributions.

Impact of Results

 

Contributes to the sound financial management and financial accounting of the OACPS, thereby enhancing the confidence of Members of the OACPS, the European Union, donors and all partners with respect to the efficiency and effectiveness of Secretariat operations.

 

Competencies

 

Corporate Competencies:

• Places the good of the Organisation above personal, national or any other interest.
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting her/his work and status.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality and correctness of his/her decisions and resulting outcomes.

 

 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong background in public finance, accounting, and financial management and control.
• Professional competence and excellent knowledge of the financial agreements, rules, and regulations of the OACPS, as well as recognised international standards and practices.
• High degree of independent judgment and initiative, and conceptual skills.

Managerial Competencies:

• Ability to collaborate and work with colleagues of varying grades and cultural backgrounds.

• Comfortable with change management, and capable of monitoring and adjusting plans and actions when necessary.

 

 

Behavioural Competencies:

• Demonstrates strength of character, as well as the ability to stay calm and show maturity in stressful situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client-orientation.
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.

Qualifications:

 

Masters degree or equivalent in financial administration, management accounting or corporate finance.

 

Work experience

 

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial control, financial management and accounting at national and international levels.
• Previous work experience at a regional, continental or international organisation is highly desirable.

 

 

Language Requirements

 

Good command of English or French or Portuguese or Spanish. A good working knowledge of at least one of the other two languages would be an added advantage.

 

Special Notice

Candidates for the post must be nationals of Members of the OACPS, and must therefore attach a copy of their valid passport for proof of nationality. Applications from non-OACPS nationals will not be considered.

 

Staff Members of the OACPS are subject to the authority of and duties assigned by the Secretary-General and will discharge their functions under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

 

All employment decisions are made on the suitability of the candidate and the needs of the OACPS. Due regard will be paid to the importance of gender balance and the recruitment of staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

 

The appointment to this position is for an initial period of 3 years and renewal thereof is subject to the needs of the OACPS and availability of the post or funds. 

 

Applications for this post should be sent by e-mail to: hr@acp.int and must reach the Secretariat by midnight on the deadline date.

 

Applications must be accompanied by an updated curriculum vitae completed in the following format: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose. Applications in another format will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further evaluation. Applicants must provide copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates and any other documents attesting to their competence and professional experience.

 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and those under serious consideration will be subject to reference checks.