Senior Finance Officer

CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation

Wageningen, Netherlands

Status: International staff
Type of contract: Fixed term, level 2 C
Indicative starting date: 1st July 2015
Closing date for application: 30th May 2015 or until the position is filled.

1. ABOUT CTA

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) is an international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). Its mission is to advance food and nutritional security, increase prosperity and encourage sound natural resource management in ACP countries.

CTA promotes information and knowledge sharing; supports the development and implementation of evidence-based, multi-stakeholder policies and strategies; promotes inclusive value chain development and use of ICTs; and strengthens the capacities of agricultural and rural development institutions and communities across the ACP. CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and is funded by the EU.

2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE POST

The position falls under the CTA's Corporate Services Department. The Corporate Services Department fulfills all the Centre's needs in the areas of finance and budget, human resources, procurement and information technology services.

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for managing the CTA's financial services and the systems and processes related to the management of the Centre's financial resources. He/she oversees the proper implementation of CTA' financial regulation. He/she ensures adherence to financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. He/she supervises staff of the Finance Section.

3. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Senior Finance Officer will be as follows.

A) Financial Management:

• Review accounting policies, procedures and internal controls to meet operational and programme requirements, ensuring compliance with CTA's financial regulation. Take the lead in designing and implementing required changes;
• Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them;
• Ensure the availability of funds and the accurate maintaining of bank balances;
• Negotiate with the bank for lines of credit or other financial services as required;
• Develop and maintain financial management reports on monthly and quarterly basis;
• Prepare and present periodic financial reports to Management and the Executive Board;
• Review CTA's current financial and accounting systems and ensure that they are aligned to internationally accepted standards.

B) Budget:

• Direct CTA's multi-annual budgeting process by developing budget-related tools and providing guidance and mentoring to staff in preparing programme and administrative budgets and submit the consolidated budget for approval by the executive board;
• Ensure the timely preparation and distribution of monthly budget reports to project leaders and Management;
• Develop cost estimates and budget narratives for project proposals that will be submitted to funders;
• Oversee the review and finalization of budget performance reports; monitors variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
• Prepare/finalize reports for governing bodies and for management on budgetary issues, and correspondence, including guidelines, instructions;
• Ensure that proposed commitments and expenditures are in accordance with budgets and established regulations.

C) Audits:

• Coordinate annual statutory and verification of expenditures and other audits and serve as liaison to external auditors and the EC;
• Manage preparation of annual audits by directing financial and non-financial staff;
• Coordinate and prepare Management responses to audit comments made during annual and other audits and liaise with the auditors.

D) Grants/Contracts:

• Establish guidelines for managing sub-grants and partnership-related activities;
• Coordinate risk assessments with independent auditors;
• Ensure the accurate and timely settlement of expenses to partner institutions;
• Maintain files on relevant grant documents and modifications.

E) Risk management:

• Monitor risk management policies and procedures to ensure that program and organizational risks are minimized.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Internationally recognized professional Accounting qualification such as Chartered Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent;
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, budget, business administration or related area;
• Fluency in English or French with working knowledge of the other;
• Proven management experience of accounts, treasury and multi‐year budgetary planning, monitoring and reporting;
• Experience of implementing IPSAS would be an asset;
• Experience with EU-funded projects is an asset;
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel);
• Excellent knowledge of accounting software and a competency in deploying information technology to improved efficiency and effectiveness;
• Experience in supervising staff.

Competencies:

• Ability to effectively lead and inspire others within a participatory framework and a multicultural work environment;
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills and service orientation;
• Highly developed skills in strategic thinking, problem solving, and priority setting;
• A well organized and self-directed individual with high ethical standards;
• An excellent team player.

5. APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The candidate must be a national of one of the ACP or EU States signatory to the Cotonou Agreement (79 African, Caribbean and Pacific States – http://www.acp.int/content/secretariat-acp and the European Union Member States).
The Senior Finance Officer will be appointed by the Director of CTA upon recommendation of the Selection Committee.

• Duration of the contract: 2 years (renewal possible);
• Gross annual salary of € 86,184, mostly tax free;
• Comprehensive benefits package, including pension, medical insurance, education and home leave.

6. HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates having the relevant qualifications and experience stated in section 4, are required to send the documents listed below via email to the Human Resources Officer at hr3@cta.int.

Please indicate in the 'Subject' of the email the title 'application for the post of "Senior Finance Officer".

• A letter of motivation (maximum one page);
• An up-to-date CV, preferably EUROPASS format;
• Copies of the highest diploma/degree as well as training certificates related to the position. Original documents are to be presented once a candidate is selected.

Deadline for applications: 30th May 2015 or until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

CTA is an equal opportunity employer and women are particularly encouraged to apply.