Principal Accountant - East African Community

(EAC/HR/2014-2015/030)

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

Applications are invited from highly motivated and result-driven professionals who are citizens of East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) to apply for the following positions tenable at the East African Community-Secretariat, in accordance with the availability of Quota Points per Partner State.

Interested candidates who may have applied for these positions when they were previously advertised do not need to apply.

Organ / Institution: The Secretariat

Duty Station: Arusha, Tanzania

Job Grade: P3

Job reports to: Director Finance 

Job Purpose:

Ensure the financial resources are utilized effectively, and that all payments are made in compliance with the Financial Rules and Regulations and other directives of the Council, Summit as may be issued from time to time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Initiate the development and improvement of accounting processes, systems and control for implementation, in line with the Secretariat's financial rules and regulations and International Accounting Standards;
2. Provide leadership and overall guidance to the Accounts staff including those of Projects and other Organs and Institutions of EAC to facilitate harmony in implementation of standard operating systems and processes in all EAC operations;
3. Implement financial decisions of the Council;
4. Facilitate maintenance of accounting records for the Community, review and submit timely and accurate analysis of periodic financial reports (monthly and quarterly), to management for decision making;
5. Monitor and analyse status of obligations and expenditures and ensure that payments are disbursed in accordance with the set regulations;
6. Monitor daily financial utilization and ensure availability of sufficient cash in the bank accounts to meet EAC's financial obligations at all times;
7. Monitor and verify financial statements and ensure bank monthly reconciliations are completed for all EAC bank accounts;
8. Keep custody of cash receipt vouchers, cheques and other accountable documents established for payment;
9. Prepare annual consolidated financial statements for purposes of audit;
10. Provide authoritative advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to EAC financial Rules and Regulations;
11. Maintain Partner States contribution records, prepare and submit quarterly demand note for contributions to Partner States and follow up on their outstanding contributions;
12. Co-ordinate external audits and facilitate harmonization of EAC audit responses to external auditors;
13. Co-ordinate implementation of directives issues by the Council on audit observations;
14. Monitor and ensure effective operation of monthly payroll, accurate calculations are done and staff payments made on due dates;
15. Follow-up the usage of funds and ensure compliance to the rules and regulations governing Donor funds;
16. Facilitate submission of quarterly financial reports to the Donors, including the provision of any other information required from time to time;
17. Identify training needs for Accounts Staff within the Community and liaise with Human Resources department to prepare training programmes bases on the needs identified;
18. Negotiate bank commission rates and fixed deposit interest rates and fixed deposits interest rates and recommend reputable banks for the Community to deposit funds;
19. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by Management.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. A Master’s degree in Commerce or in Business Administration preferably specialized in Finance and /or Accounting, or Master of Science in Finance or Accounting.
2. Certified Public Accountant: CPA (T), CPA (K), ACCA or equivalent;
3. Minimum 10 years relevant experience with 5 years at senior position. Work in accounts/ or finance unit. Work experience in an International Organization or Regional Organization is an added advantage;

Skills and Competencies:

The ideal candidate should demonstrate good leadership, planning, interpersonal communication, and report writing skills; must be a team player and must prove proficiency in application of spreadsheet and database accounting, including the use of Sun Accounting Software.

Education Qualifications and Relevant Working Experience:

Education Qualifications:

All candidates applying must have qualifications that are recognized by the relevant national accreditation body in their respective countries. This condition is applicable for locally and internationally attained qualifications.

All professions that require registration with the specific professional bodies will be expected to do so in compliance with the requirements of their respective Partner States.

Relevant Working Experience:

Internship, training, apprenticeship and clerkship will not be considered as relevant work experience.

Eligibility:

Considering the current status of quota points per Partner State under East African Community Secretariat, only Applicants from the Republics of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania are eligible to apply.

Terms and Conditions of Service:

This position is tenable for a contract of five (5) years renewable once and is subject to the application of the EAC Quota System.

Fringe Benefits:

This position offers attractive fringe benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, a medical scheme, and insurance cover.

Equal Opportunity:

The EAC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

EAC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned position are advised to send their applications, detailed curriculum vitae, photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three referees, and copy of National Identity Card, or Birth Certificate or Passport showing date of birth.

Please quote the respective reference number on both on the application letter and envelope. For electronic submission, please quote the respective reference number on the subject of the email and send to the address given below.

Applications should be submitted to the address below not later than Friday, 8th July 2016.

Please note:

1. You may submit your application either electronically or in hard copy but not both.
2. Applications which do not: indicate nationality and age; the reference number; or have an application letter attached; have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional Certificates ; or fail to provide three referees will be disqualified.
3. Only qualified candidates will be contacted

Please note that EAC does not require candidates to pay money for the recruitment process.

All invitations for interviews will be done in writing.

The Director,

Executive Selection Division

Deloitte Consulting Limited

10th Floor PPF Tower 

Cnr of Ohio Street & Garden Avenue:
P O Box 1559 Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Fax +255(22) 2116379

E-mail: esd@deloitte.co.tz
www.deloitte.com

Application Deadline:

Friday, 8 July 2016 - 5:00pm