ACCOUNTANT , EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda and Rwanda) for the following six (6) EAC regional health sector project staff positions under the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) tenable at the EAC Secretariat headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

ACCOUNTANT

REF: EAC/HR/HEALTH/2011-2012/003

Grade: Professional Staff Category (P1 Equivalent)

Reports to: Director Finance

Organ/Institution: EAC Secretariat

Duration of Contract: Initially Three (3) Years

Station: EAC Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania.




Main Purpose of the Job:

The main purpose of this job is to facilitate efficient and effective financial administration and management of all funds of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also assist the various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes and other related responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To manage and administer all the funds of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and assist in the management of funds for various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes in accordance with the existing EAC Financial Rules and Regulations and also in line with the donor specific financial disbursement and reporting guidelines.


2. Validate payment vouchers, cheques, local purchase orders for all transactions relating to the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various

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EAC regional health sector projects and programmes and as well as other relevant expenditures.


3. Reconcile ledger accounts of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also the various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes follow up of imprests given to staff.


4. Monitor and ensure that enough funds are available in the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also the various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes and initiate disbursement and/or reimbursement requests to donors once the minimum threshold is reached.

5. Maintain regular and timely accounting records and prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.

6. Prepare financial reports for accountability of the funds disbursed and analysis of accounts so that decision makers receive timely and accurate information.

7. Assist officers of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes to prepare budgets for the activities requested.

8. Monitor the expenditure of project funds of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes with a view to ensuring that the amounts budgeted for, under each expenditure head, is not exceeded.

9. Prepare payments and allowances for the implementation of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes

10. Prepare annual budgets and financial reports/statements of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes in liaison with the technical officers of the various EAC Organs, Institutions and Sectors and also relevant officers in the EAC Partner States’ National Ministries responsible for Health as well as the National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs) for presentation to

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the EAC Council of Ministers and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).


11. Prepare and consolidate multi-year and annual workplans, budgets and technical narrative and financial reports for the EAC Partner States and various international development partners involved of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and also various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes.


12. Maintain ledgers and implement strong internal control systems in order to facilitate timely financial reports, budget and accountabilities.


13. Prepare monthly cost comparison reports for budgetary control and account for the programme expenditure and its disbursement against budget codes and relevant budget of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes.


14. Maintain the asset register and their depreciation schedules of the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (EACMRHI) Project and various EAC regional health sector projects and programmes.


15. Manage credit levels for various debtors and creditors and follow-up for payments and refunds where applicable.


16. Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the EAC Director of Finance.


Qualification and Experience:

(1) A Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance Option) or equivalent from a recognized University.

(2) A professional qualification (i.e , CPA (K), CPA (U), CPA (T), ACCA, ICPAU, etc) or equivalent is an added advantage.

(3) Relevant working experience of not less than 5 years preferably in donor-funded health projects and programmes at national, regional or national levels

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Skills and Competencies:

Must be proficient in various Computerised Financial Management Information Systems such as the Sun System Accounting Package (e.g. Government Financial Statistics, etc), Navision, SafePastel and other computer packages. Good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work in multi-cultural environment and ability to plan and manage own work, including managing conflicting priorities for timely completion of assignment, self motivated with ability to work with minimum supervision.


TERMS AND CONDITION OF SERVICE

This EAC regional level health sector project staff position has an initial three-year contract that may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and availability of donor funds. This position will be subjected to the EAC quota system.


HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their applications quoting the reference number of the position applied for by registered mail, courier service, e-mail and dispatch directly together with the full curriculum vitae, copies of both academic and professional certificates and testimonials, names and addresses of three referees, day time telephone /cell phone numbers to:

The Secretary General

East African Community

P.O. Box 1096,

Arusha, Tanzania

Fax: +255-27-250425354

Email: eac@eachq.org

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.



Closing Date: All applications together with copies of relevant attachments should be received at the EAC Secretariat headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania no later than Wednesday, 29th February 2012.