Finance & Administration
The African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS) is a trans-disciplinary network of researchers, private sector
actors and policy makers promoting the generation, dissemination, use and
mastery of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) for Africa’s sustainable
development. Our mission is to improve the STI research, policy and practice
for sustainable development in Africa, by Africans and for Africa.
One of our strategic priorities under
ATPS Phase VII Strategic Plan (2013-2017) is the generation of knowledge
through research and research capacity building. Under this priority, the ATPS
undertake research and research capacity building activities under selected
priority sectors including sustainable agriculture and food security; low
carbon economy and environmental infrastructure.
In each priority sector, our research
activities focus on building innovation systems capacities for poverty
alleviation; climate change adaptation and mitigation; global development
paradigms (the role of STI in the new green economy); emerging technologies
(their policy implications, advocacy and the socialization of these
technologies); and youth and genders development for science and technology.
Responsibilities
Finance
·
Authorize payments and approve
financial registers;
·
Review financial analysis;
·
Approve expense statements and journal
vouchers;
·
Review and approves bank
reconciliation;
·
Prepare or approve ATPS payroll;
·
Review weekly cash requirements;
·
Approve file closures;
·
Prepare/review quarterly statistics
·
Prepare/review contractual
correspondence with donors and recipients;
·
Assist with fundraising activities
and review project budget proposals, contract and participant letters and
revised budgets;
·
Check accuracy of physical count of
inventory of fixed assets;
·
Ensure that proper financial
project-monitoring records are maintained;
·
Prepare ATPS’ annual budget and work
plan and monitor periodically actual expenditures in relation to approved
budget;
·
Visit ATPS-assisted projects in the
region to assist recipients in resolving financial difficulties and to monitor
project’s financial administration;
·
Liaise with ATPS National
Coordinators in order to assist with the smooth operation of their respective
chapters;
·
Ensure timely preparation of ATPS
budgets and submission of financial statements to the Board;
·
Work with the external auditors in
performing their statutory duties to ATPS;
·
Ensure implementation of overall ATPS
financial policies and procedures; and
·
Supervise the day-to-day activities
of accounting staff and ensures proper coordination between their functions.
Administration
·
Ensure order and cleanliness in the
office premises;
·
Monitor leases and related
obligations regarding the office premises;
·
supervise the use and maintenance of
office equipment and vehicles;
·
Administer insurance policies for
office property;
·
Ensure regular and timely
transmission and delivery of mail and other communications;
·
Maintain and update inventory of
office assets;
·
Maintain data on relevant supplies
and their sources;
·
Procure and maintain office equipment
and supplies;
·
Consult with the Executive Director
and Research Coordinator on equipment to be purchased for projects and arranges
the relevant purchases according to existing policies and procedures;
·
Supervise the handling of all
incoming and outgoing shipments;
·
Correspond with project personnel on
purchasing and shipping matters
·
Examine and endorse delivery
notes/invoices prior to payment;
·
Process documentation for work
permits, visas, house leases, and in other matters relating to expatriate
employees and their dependents.
Human Resource Management
·
Monitor requirements of
ATPS-recruited personnel and advise the Executive Director on recruitment;
·
Administer staff benefits, i.e.
medical, insurance, and provident fund schemes;
·
Maintain personnel files and data and
process leave applications for all ATPS staff
·
Arrange performance appraisal and
review of ATPS-recruited staff;
·
Co-ordinate training programs for
ATPS locally recruited staff;
·
Monitor deployment of staff and work
allocation to ensure that ATPS’s resources are efficiently utilized to serve
clients and that all employees have an equal opportunity for development and
progression;
·
Review and recommend alternative work
allocation methods and/or use of temporary staff with heads of departments, in
instances of excessive overtime;
·
Monitor, on a monthly basis,
utilization of employees and advise heads of department and the Executive
Director;
·
Annually revise daily per diem rates
and establish and update appropriate per diem rates on a regular basis;
·
Ensure that department heads conduct
project appraisals, quarterly and annual Appraisals for each employee and
ensure training and development takes place and is evaluated;
·
Prepare the total revenue and
operating costs of the organization during the annual salary review process in
consultation with department heads for consideration by a remuneration review
committee for approval by the Executive Director;
·
Review the medical insurance scheme
and group life insurance scheme on an annual basis and make recommendations to
the Executive Director on renewal of the scheme;
·
Authorize absence from work in the
absence of employee’s immediate supervisor; compile quarterly Absence Reports,
to be reviewed by the Executive Director and Heads of Department;
·
Take corrective action through
counseling, training and/or instituting disciplinary procedures, where problems
of lateness and absenteeism persist;
·
Investigate all disciplinary cases
with the respective head of department and will be a member of the
·
Disciplinary Committee.
·
Arrange for new employees’
orientation with the immediate supervisor
Qualifications
·
Professional with good character and
strong ability to work in a team and under work pressure;
·
A Degree in a Business-related field
with a relevant certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.
·
An MBA will be an added advantage;
·
At least two years relevant
progressive experience working in an International NGO or equivalent;
·
Excellent administrative skills;
·
Excellent budgeting skills with
Spreadsheets;
·
Fluency in English, written and spoken/Knowledge
of French will be a distinct advantage;
·
Experience in human resources
management will be a distinct advantage;
Officer - Research
The African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS) is a trans-disciplinary network of researchers, private sector
actors and policy makers promoting the generation, dissemination, use and
mastery of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) for Africa’s sustainable
development. Our mission is to improve the STI research, policy and practice
for sustainable development in Africa, by Africans and for Africa.
The centre piece of the mission is
the strong belief that Africa’s vast natural resources and human capital, as
well as its youthful population provide opportunities for the continent to
contribute meaningfully to global economic prosperity and sustainability.
However, bridging the knowledge and technological gaps between Africa and the
rest of the world is pre-requisite for economic prosperity in Africa.
One of our strategic priorities under
ATPS Phase VII Strategic Plan (2013-2017) is the generation of knowledge
through research and research capacity building. Under this priority, the ATPS
undertake research and research capacity building activities under selected priority
sectors including sustainable agriculture and food security; low carbon economy
and environmental infrastructure.
In each priority sector, our research
activities focus on building innovation systems capacities for poverty
alleviation; climate change adaptation and mitigation; global development
paradigms (the role of STI in the new green economy); emerging technologies
(their policy implications, advocacy and the socialization of these
technologies); and youth and genders development for science and technology.
We are seeking to recruit dynamic trans-disciplinary individuals to fill the following positions:
We are seeking to recruit dynamic trans-disciplinary individuals to fill the following positions:
Responsibilities
·
Generating and translating new
concepts and research ideas into projects and/or programmes;
·
Developing proposals and raising
funds for the implementation of projects and/or programmes;
·
Managing the grants process and the
regional research programmes;
·
Managing the publication of research
outputs into various publications and assist identify during proposal development
various outputs that would come out of the new projects using specific
timelines;
·
Developing and implementing
strategies for promoting the work of the network; and particularly establishing
dynamic policy outreach and advocacy processes with National Chapters;
·
Collaborating and liaising with ATPS
national chapters in 30 countries in the development, planning and reporting of
chapter activities and projects;
·
Initiating and coordinating training
activities with partner institutions for various stakeholders;
·
Liaising with the national
coordinators and researchers on administrative and non-technical issues;
·
Ensuring that the relevant
information on issues on science and technology in Africa is disseminated to
network members;
·
Overseeing coordination of conferences,
seminars and workshops and representing the Executive Director at workshops and
meetings when assigned;
·
Ensuring that results of all ATPS
research meet international standards by organizing and managing appropriate
peer review mechanisms; in liaison with the Executive Director;
·
Advising on, coordinating and
managing the translation and dissemination of technical information to meet the
needs of specific audiences;
·
Overseeing the coordination of
capacity building workshops and related activities to strengthen the capacity
of ATPS National Chapters and other constituents;
·
Ensuring efficient and effective
collaboration with ATPS international, regional and national partners;
·
Developing and strengthening
collaboration with the private sector and civil society including the media;
·
Publishing at least three
techno-policy briefs and two journal articles each year;
·
Managing individual and institutional
grant and consultancy contracts and oversee development of an electronic grants
management system;
·
Managing the preparation of work and
budget for research projects, communication and outreach activities;
·
Managing the quality and delivery of
all communications outputs to ensure that they meet the highest international
editorial standards;
·
Representing the Executive Director
when assigned during meetings with donors, conferences and various forums to
promote work of the network;
·
Assisting the Executive Director by
organizing and managing appropriate peer review mechanisms on all ATPS research
results;
·
Any other duties as may be assigned
by the Supervisor or the Executive Director.
Qualifications
·
Professional with good character and
strong ability to work in a team and under work pressure;
·
Master’s Degree in Science,
Technology and Innovation or related subjects including natural or social
sciences, or equivalent expertise. Possession of a PhD in the relevant field
will be an added advantage;
·
At least two years’ experience in
research/research management in science and technology policy in a similar
international organization;
·
Demonstrate capacity and ability to
fundraise and manage knowledge networks;
·
Strong interpersonal skills and a
good team player;
·
Strong analytical skills;
·
Experience in STI policy analysis in
Africa will be an advantage;
·
Proficiency in French will be a major
advantage.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should send a
detailed letter of interest and curriculum vitae immediately to: executivedirector@atpsnet.org
A competitive salary will be offered
to the successful candidates. Please quote the vacancy position that you are
applying for as the subject for your email application. The positions will
remain vacant until a suitable candidate is found