Director of Administration, Finance and Membership Service - CODESRIA

CODESRIA
Job Vacancy Announcement
Director of Administration, Finance and Membership Service

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites applications from suitably qualified nationals of African countries to fill the vacant position of Director of Administration, Finance and Membership Services in its pan-African Secretariat located in Dakar, Senegal. This position is categorised as one of the senior posts in the Council and the successful candidate will join a team of staff members functioning under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary of the Council.

Recognised as the premier centre on the continent for the generation and dissemination of multidisciplinary social science knowledge, CODESRIA has undergone an exponential growth in programmes, finances and membership over the last decade. The Administration, Finance and Membership Services has, as its primary responsibility, the day-to-day management of the administrative and financial affairs of the Council, covering banking and accounting services, the preparation of financial reports for submission to the funders of the Council, budget monitoring and control, human resources (recruitment, training, evaluation, and staff discipline and welfare), protocol services, the maintenance of the headquarters building, the monitoring of the physical assets of the Council, the internal and external audits of the financial statements and other accounts of the Council, and all aspects of the procurement of goods and services for the use of the Council.

The Service is also involved in the implementation of a long-term strategy for the financial stability and sustainability of the Council, including the CODESRIA Endowment Fund. Furthermore, the Director of Administration, Finance and Membership Service is responsible for preparing the annual workplan of activities and budgets of the Council, and for monitoring expenses and programme implementation. As CODESRIA is a membership organisation, the successful candidate will be responsible for keeping the CODESRIA membership informed of and engaged with the work of the Council. The successful candidate will also be called upon to initiate, develop and apply new human resource management tools, lend support in the implementation of an IT plan, contribute to the organisation of donor conferences, and manage aspects of the Council’s relations with public administration services of the host country as may be entrusted to him/her. In all, the candidate who will be chosen will be expected to work towards the efficient and result-oriented administration of all aspects of the mandate of the Council.

More information about CODESRIA and its programmes can be obtained from the Council’s website: www.codesria.org

Qualifications
Applicants must:
• Have a sound university education in the field of business/financial administration, accounting and/or human resource management with at least five years post-graduation experience;
• Hold a post-graduate technical qualification in accountancy or a related field, and have a demonstrable knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in their current application;
• Have experience of funds management, preferably in a not-for-profit organisation;
• Be familiar with accounting and budgetary systems and software employed by international non-governmental organisations;
• Have a demonstrable capacity to initiate and supervise internal and external audit processes;
• Be conversant with the international research funding environment and the requirements of various funding agencies especially in terms of reporting;
• Be knowledgeable and skilled in the management of all aspects of personnel matters, bearing in mind that CODESRIA is a multi-cultural pan-african environment and is committed to the promotion of gender equality;
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of procedures linked to the diplomatic immunities enjoyed by international organisations;
• Have a demonstrable knowledge of the labour laws in an African context;
• Have a capacity to be innovative and forward-looking in the management of the administrative processes and procedures of an organisation like CODESRIA; and
• Be fluent in French or English and have a good working knowledge of the other language.

Working Conditions
The salary level that will be offered will depend on the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications, and will be comparable to those of similar posts in other international organisations..

How to Apply
Applicants must supply the following documents:

1. A written application;
2. A detailed CV describing the contents of their training and professional experience;
3. Three reference letters, two of which must be professional references.

The reference letters in support of candidates must be sealed and sent under separate cover and marked ‘Confidential Reference’. The application letters and other supporting documents of candidates should be sent in a sealed envelope marked ‘Application Documents’. Both the applications and the reference letters should be sent to:
The Executive Secretary
CODESRIA
Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop x Canal IV
B.P. 3304, CP 18524,
Dakar/SENEGAL
Closing Date
All applications must be received by 15 October 2008. Any application received after this date will not be considered.