The Nile Basin
Initiative (NBI) is a partnership of the riparian States of the Nile. The NBI
seeks to develop the river basin resources in a cooperative manner, share
substantial socioeconomic benefits, and promote regional peace and security.
Within the framework of the NBI, the Governments of Burundi, Rwanda and
Tanzania have received financial support from the World Bank for the
implementation of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Plant, conceived as
part of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP).
The Ministers in
charge of energy in the three countries have decided to implement the project
through a public financed, privacy managed mechanism. A Rusumo Power Company
Limited (Special Purpose Vehicle) has been established by the three governments
to own the power plant infrastructure. The implementation has been delegated to
NELSAP.
NELSAP is now in the
course of establishing the Project Implementation Unit. The Project Finance
Officer will occupy a key position in this team with responsibility for its
operations across a broad spectrum of activities.
1. Key functions
and duties
The Finance Officer
shall directly report to the Project Manager Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project
for all functions and duties of the project. He/she, however, shall be
responsible to the NELSAP Finance and Administration Manager for technical
guidance.
The functions and
responsibilities for the post-holder will include the following amongst others:
Provide
advice and support to the Rusumo Falls Project Manager on all finance matters,
including procurement and logistics issues.
Ensure
compliance with NBI/World Bank/AfDB and other donor’s financial regulations and
procedures.
Establish
and operationalize financial management functions at the Project Coordination
Unit.
Establish
and maintain a common, computerized financial management/accounting System at
the Project Coordination Unit that is in compliance with and consistent» with
that at the Nile Basin Secretariat.
Monitor,
analyze and operationalize the financial transactions through a computerized
financial environment.
In
consultation with the Rusumo Falls Project Manager, design and prepare project
cost projections for the year’s expenditures in order to make accurate delivery
projections and realistic budgets
Maintain
financialrecords and accounts in a format and manner consistent with the
International Accounting Standards (lASs) and International Public Sector
Accounting Standards (IPSASs).
Prepare,
product and submit monthly, quarterly and annual accounts and reports to the –
NELSAP Finance and Administration Manager and to the Rusumo Falls Project
Manager in an acceptable format/ design.
Manage
routine correspondence on finance matters
Initiate
the process for procurement of an external auditor and ensure that the procured
auditor is enabled to carry out proper examination of the Interconnection
project structures, accounts and systems in the five countries participating in
the project.
Respond
to all observations that are raised by external auditors for better management
of the project and for strengthening internal control Systems.
Maintain
proper assets/stores inventory, filing and recording Systems, logistics and
operations of the project;
Any
other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Rusumo Falls Project
Manager and/or NELSAP Finance and Administration Manager.
2. Qualifications
and Experience
The appropriate
candidate shall meet the following minimum qualifications and experience
requirements:
University
degree in finance, accounting or business administration.
Possession
of professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, CPA awarded by accountancy
bodies accredited to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) will be
an added advantage.
At
Ieast ten years’ of working experience in accounting, financial management and
logistics in an international/donor organization or public (government) sector
with experience and knowledge of World Bank, AfDB and other financiers’
financial management procedures.
Computer
knowledge in ail MS and window-based applications including excel, word and at
least one relevant accounting software package.
Excellent
oral and written English. Working knowledge of the French language will be an
added advantage.
3. Duration/Duty
station/Reporting
This position will
be for the period of the project with a two year contract renewal on the basis
of satisfactory performance and with a six month initial probation period. The
contract is expected to start in March 2014. She/he will be based at the NELSAP
CU Headquarters in Kigali Rwanda. The Finance Officer will report to the NELSAP
Project Manager for Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project and to the NELSAP
Finance and Administrative Manager.
4. Other
information
All qualified
persons are eligible to apply. Applicants from participating countries
(Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania) are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested
candidates should electronically submit their application letters with
comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and copies of relevant documents/testimonials to
the NELSAP Regional Coordinator on: nelcu@nilebasin.org
copy to akayitaro@nilebasin.org.
The deadline for submission
is 31 January 2014.