Finance Director at Africa CDC

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Directorate: Finance
AU Organ: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
Job Grade: D1
Contract Type: Regular
Number of Positions: 1
Reports to: Director General
Requisition ID: 3091
Closing Date: 20 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT

Job Purpose

The Director of Finance will provide strategic direction and leadership in managing the operations of the Finance Directorate to achieve Africa CDC’s strategic objectives and goals.

The successful candidate will work with the Africa CDC executive team to develop and implement financial policies and strategies that improve the organisation’s financial position. The Director will oversee financial operations across divisions and units, ensuring that expenditure remains within approved budgets and complies with African Union financial policies.

The Director will also analyse Africa CDC’s financial performance, prepare reports for the executive team, conduct financial forecasting and projections, and develop strategies to assess, manage and minimise financial risks.

Africa CDC invites applications from qualified individuals who are citizens of African Union Member States.

Main Responsibilities

The Director of Finance will:

• Develop and execute the overall strategy for the Finance Directorate in alignment with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Lead and supervise Finance Directorate staff and ensure effective performance management.
• Develop and monitor financial policies, strategies and programmes.
• Ensure delivery of annual financial targets.
• Provide strategic financial leadership for the operationalisation and oversight of the African Epidemic Fund, Special Accounts and Trust Funds.
• Design and oversee innovative financing solutions, including blended finance instruments, catalytic capital structures and risk-sharing mechanisms.
• Provide technical leadership across the Finance Directorate.
• Oversee financial, budgetary and programme management activities.
• Prepare periodic financial and budget execution reports.
• Ensure effective management of funds contributed to Africa CDC.
• Develop financial policies and guidelines in accordance with the AU legal and financial framework.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for the Directorate.
• Manage financial risks and develop appropriate mitigation and business continuity measures.
• Build effective working relationships with other AU departments, Member States and partner institutions.

Specific Responsibilities

The Director will be responsible for:

• Overseeing strategic financial planning and evaluating organisational performance and financial risks.
• Developing and implementing effective financial and budgetary strategies, policies and management systems.
• Preparing and overseeing annual financial statements and financial analysis.
• Developing organisational budgets.
• Managing accounting and finance personnel, including management accountants and internal auditors.
• Supervising audit and internal control processes.
• Preparing detailed reports on financial performance.
• Ensuring compliance with financial laws, regulations and guidelines.
• Monitoring organisational spending and revenue and recommending corrective measures.
• Coordinating with external financial institutions and entities.
• Ensuring compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and AU Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Overseeing the African Epidemic Fund and other Special Accounts and Trust Funds.
• Supporting innovative financing solutions, including blended finance, catalytic capital and risk-sharing mechanisms.
• Ensuring continuous improvement and cost-effectiveness.
• Managing the human resources component of the Finance Directorate.
• Providing accurate and timely financial information and strategic financial advice.
• Overseeing the preparation and implementation of the Africa CDC programme budget.
• Managing the programme budget and financial policies.
• Promoting best practices in financial management and internal financial controls.
• Controlling budget execution and processing payments.
• Facilitating external audits.
• Ensuring the safe custody of Africa CDC liquid assets.
• Ensuring recovery of receivables owed to Africa CDC.
• Producing periodic financial reports, budget execution reports and annual financial statements.
• Advising the Director General on financial policy and strategy.
• Ensuring alignment between Africa CDC financial systems and African Union financial policies and procedures.
• Providing technical guidance to supervised divisions.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with Member States and partners.
• Ensuring timely collection of contributions from Member States.
• Performing any other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must have:

• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management or a related field.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 8 years of experience at managerial level.
• At least 5 years in a direct supervisory role.
• Membership in an internationally recognised professional accounting body such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA or Expert Comptable — mandatory.
• Experience leading financial operations, financial planning and financial analysis.
• Proven experience managing budgets, forecasts, audits, compliance and financial risk management.
• Experience implementing strategic initiatives to improve financial performance and optimise resources.
• Experience providing technical financial support.

Additional education or experience in public health administration, programme management or operations will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should have:

• In-depth knowledge of accounting software, corporate financial principles and financial analysis.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding leadership abilities.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of IPSAS.
• Ability to develop multi-annual plans and budgets based on Results-Based Management.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of major accounting systems.
• Knowledge of SAP-ERP is an advantage.
• Strong financial reporting, data analysis, accounting and business intelligence skills.
• Excellent drafting and reporting abilities.
• Ability to mentor and develop teams.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Proficiency in at least one AU working language: Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish.
• Commitment to the objectives and mandate of Africa CDC.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organisational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies

• Building Partnerships
• Driving Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Impact

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fostering Innovation

Contract Duration

The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for three years.

The first 12 months will be considered a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Remuneration

The indicative basic salary is US$78,138 per annum (D1 Step 1).

Additional entitlements may include:

• 46% post adjustment
• US$26,208 housing allowance per year
• Education allowance covering 100% of tuition and eligible education-related expenses, up to US$10,000 per eligible dependent child per year for internationally recruited staff.
• For locally recruited staff, education allowance is stated as a maximum of US$3,300 per child per year.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete their application through the African Union recruitment portal and use the African Union CV template, which is mandatory.

Applicants must submit:

• Completed AU CV template
• Academic qualifications
• Relevant professional certificates
• African passport
• Fully completed online application

Applications must be submitted no later than 20 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EAT.

Apply here: African Union – Finance Director (Req ID 3091)

Requisition ID: 3091

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