Call for Expression of Interest
To Provide Technical Support to the Enhancing Climate Information System for Resilient Development in Liberia (CIS)
Job Title: Account Officer
Division/Department Executive
Location: Monrovia Expected Start Date: Immediately
Duration: Three (3) years (renewable based on performance)
Report to: Finance Manager
Background
The Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) received funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement the project (Enhancing Climate Information Systems for Resilient Development in Liberia) otherwise referred to as CIS Project. The objective of the project is to further strengthen Liberia’s climate-related observing and monitoring capabilities, early warning and early action systems, and other environmental-related information systems. It seeks to drive a paradigm shift towards evidence-based climate-informed decision-making, planning, and response. The overarching goal of the project is to integrate green growth, environmental resilience, and adaptation into national development planning through effective climate information systems.
The project will reduce exposure of Liberia’s communities, livelihoods, and infrastructure to climate-induced natural hazards through a well-functioning national Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System (MHIBF-EWS). A well-functioning MH-IBF-EWS means having in place trained and equipped Liberia Meteorological Service (LMS), Liberia Hydrological Service (LHS), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to collect weather and climate data; introduce and maintain modelling, forecast weather events and provide early warnings; scale-up evidence-based climate-informed decision-making, planning, and response actions countrywide. Having these in place will lead to transformative change in climate risk reduction and management in Liberia. This new paradigm will focus on translating meteorological and hydrological hazards into the sector- and location-specific potential impacts for the development of sectoral responses to mitigate those impacts. The project´s activities will further support the design, development and implementation of strategies and actions in the country that effectively address climate change adaptation and sustainable development needs.
The Environmental Protection Agency as the National Designated Authority (NDA) and focal entity for the management of the environment and natural resources in Liberia is empowered to coordinate, monitor, supervise and consult with relevant stakeholders on all activities in the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources. EPA is the Executing Entity and will head a Project Implementing Unit (PIU). The PIU will coordinate the implementation of the project, and will consist of three technical departments (Liberia Meteorological Service, Liberia Hydrological Service and National Disaster Management Agency), Project Coordinator and Project Staff. The role of the three technical department is to provide technical support to the PIU. The AfDB, as an Accredited Entity to the GCF will provide oversight and quality assurance support services to the CIS. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will
assist the implementation of the Project with support from the EPA and AfDB. The PIU staff including project manager, meteorology, hydrology, aviation and Monitoring and Evaluation specialists, and finance officer, Account Officer and Cashier will be hosted at the EPA and will report to the Executive Director/CEO of the EPA and the AfDB Country Office. The Account Officer will be responsible for a variety of day-to-day Finance, Accounts, and operations tasks.
Objective
The Accounts Officer will be responsible for a variety of day-to-day Finance, Accounts, and operations tasks and services. The Accounts Officer will be accountable and responsible for the accurate accounting & budgeting and reporting of CIS financial transactions, and implementation of Financial Management Systems and Policies, in compliance with the local laws, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and with the terms and conditions of AFDB in consultation with the Finance Manager.
donors.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Finance Manager, the Account Officer will undertake the following tasks:
- Perform on-site inspections to audit and evaluate progress of projects and works in close coordination with the Finance Manager to reconcile fund balances and sort out other discrepancies.
- Process monthly payroll
- Co-ordinate and ensure that all common costs, project related direct costs, are identified, and allocated to the projects based on time-sheets.
- Perform accounting transactions ensuring all transactions are correctly documented and that expenses are allowable according to GoL and AFDB policies and processes.
- Maintain and manage all receipts and other relevant supporting documents.
- Ensure all transactions are completed on a day-to-day basis.
- Ensure all invoices/bills are stamped with “”Paid”” seal.
- Enter financial transactions into accounting system and ensures that all transactions are correctly documented and that expenses are allowable.
- Maintain all accounts files in a proper and systematic manner for future reference and auditing purpose (hard and soft copies).
- Process journal entries as required.
- Handle banking transactions, collect and verify bank statements, reconcile bank accounts at the end of every month.
- Review advance reconciliations and claims for completeness and accuracy.
- Follow up on all accounts receivables and ensure any unsettled accounts are not carried over long periods.
- Reconcile monthly AR (accounts receivables) balances and raise invoices as required.
- Review advance reconciliations and claims for completeness and accuracy”.
- Prepare and submit monthly accounts reports to the Finance Manager, including bank reconciliation statements.
- Support finance manager in preparing budget plan, budget reports, project financial reports, monthly financial reports etc.
Required Competences
Education
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounts, or related field.
Experience
- At least 4 years of similar work experience is required.
Other Skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication and facilitation skills.
- Excellent leadership skills, including ability to provide strategic and technical guidance, build strong teams and mentor staff in a professional setting.
- Ability to follow deadlines, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability in negotiating, diplomacy and lobbying skills.
- Ability to work under minimum supervision to meet short deadlines.
- Commitment and drive to achieve challenging goals, and a problem-solving attitude.
- A team player with ability to deal with multiple teams located in multiple institutions.
- Ability to identify stakeholder needs and deliver them promptly and accurately.
- Ability to work under tight timelines.
- Demonstrated ability in project team management and collaboration.
Implementation arrangements
The Account Officer will be under the supervision of the Finance Manager of the PIU.
Submission of applications
Mr. Pescee T. Doe
Assistant Manager, Procurement Unit Environment Protection Agency (EPA) 4th Street, Sinkor
1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia
P.O. Box 4024
or through email (info@epa.gov.lr), indicating Account Officer – CIS Closing date for applications is 4pm, August 30, 2024. Any application received after this date will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications correspond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview.
