INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE
IBADAN – NIGERIA

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – ACCOUNTANT
(Ref: DDG-R4D/AfDB/AP/06/2012)
(SPECIFIC PROCUREMENT NOTICE – SPN)

1.0 BACKGROUND

This invitation for applications follows the general procurement notice (Reference No. AfDB43-04/12) for this project that appeared in UN Development Business online on 27 April, 2012.

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (the Executing Agency) and its partners Africa Rice Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (the Implementing Agencies) has received a grant of about US$ 63 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Multinational-CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops In Africa (SARD-SC). The strategic crops within the context of the project are Cassava, Maize, Wheat and Rice.

The overall objective of SARD-SC is to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction in Bank’s low income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Its specific objective is to enhance the productivity and income of four CAADP’s priority value chains (cassava, maize, rice, and wheat) on a sustainable basis.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the Executing Agency for the SARD-SC, wishes to use a portion of the grant to engage the services of a project finance officer as the Accountant. Thus, the IITA would like to invite finance experts with track records to apply for the post of Accountant under the SARD-SC Project.

2.0 POSITION: ACCOUNTANT (2-YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT)
LOCATION: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria

DUTIES:
Successful candidate will among other assignments:
draw up quarterly, semi-annual and annual budget in line with the overall project activities, operational and procurement plans;
monitor expenditure in accordance with IITA’s policies and guidelines;
report periodically on status of budget implementation and propose possible revisions;
establish procedures and controls to ensure resources use efficiency;
handle accounting treatment and financial transaction with respect to disbursements to project collaborators and partners;
prepare monthly financial report in a timely and verifiable manner;
provide reports, statements and schedules for auditing of project activities;
in conjunction with the Procurement Specialist, document project procurement of goods and services and management of property and equipment in keeping with the Bank’s rules and procedures;
report to the Project Coordinator;
oversee the Financial Management (FM) and Disbursement functions of the project;
lead Financial Management (FM) and Disbursement reporting functions of the three implementing partners;
provide adequate project accounting system that will produce financial statement in line with international Accounting standards;
maintain all books of account and record as required under an international accounting practice;
prepare payment vouchers, petty cash payment vouchers, journal vouchers etc. and shall be responsible for posting into general and other account ledgers;
provide Bank reconciliation states on relationship between the project and its commercial banks;
prepare monthly payrolls and other allowances of the project staff;
maintain advances and asset registers and keep store accounts books to provide control to project store;
prepare, to the satisfaction of AfDB, initial advance to the Special Account and subsequent replenishments and justification for expenditure from special account required for the smooth implementation of the project;
prepare request for direct payment by the bank;
undertake any other duties that may be assigned on financial, accounting, budgeting and reporting of activities.

3.0 QUALIFICATION/SELECTION CRITERIA
EDUCATION:
Masters degree in Business with a major in accounting or Certified Public Accountant, or Chartered Accountant or equivalent accountancy professional qualification.

WORKING EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience, 3 years in Africa, This must include at least two years of experience in an accounting firm or in an international/multinational financial organization.

The ideal candidate must:
i) have the capacity to work effectively in a team; and
ii) be competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
i) capacity to pay attention to details and accuracy;
ii) planning and organizing capacity;
iii) information and task monitoring;
iv) problem analysis;
v) judgment and problem solving; and
vi) hands-on knowledge of Oracle Financial Applications.

4.0 REMUNERATION:
An internationally competitive remuneration package will be offered. IITA offers excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

5.0 LANGUAGE:
The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:
Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.