Technical Director at African Professionalisation Initiative (API)

About the job

Role

The Technical Director will be responsible to support transparency, accountability, and good governance in the public sector in Africa through strengthening the capacity of accounting and auditing professionals.

Responsibilities

• Leading the implementation of the API governance structure according to the Constitution, Bylaws, Terms of Reference, policies, and procedures, etc.

• Advocating for the API and its programmes and capacity building approach at national, regional, and international levels.

• Identifying stakeholders relevant to the successful implementation of the API programmes across Africa and establishing and maintaining relationships with such stakeholders, including:

• Developing the technical components of the API strategy and contributing to the development of the overall API strategy

• Developing, leading, and reporting on the implementation of the technical aspects of the API operational plan, including the development and contextualisation of high-quality learning programmes and development and implementation of country-specific capacity building approaches. This includes:

• Curriculum development and management

• Project implementation support

• Contributing to the development and maintenance of a sustainable API funding model

Qualifications

• A recognised professional accounting/auditing qualification 

Experience and other requirements

• 10 to 15 years’ relevant experience

• Experience in capacity building and public sector environment

• At least 3 years’ experience in a leadership position

• Fluency in written and spoken English (language skills in French would be an advantage)

Knowledge and Skills

• International financial reporting standards (IPSAS / IFRS), International standards on auditing (ISA / ISSAI), Quality control standards (ISQC / AQM / INTOSAI), Accounting education standards (IES), Risk management principles, Legal frameworks, Information management and capacity building.

• Facilitation skills, Presentation skills, Digital acumen, Data interrogation, synthesis, and analysis. Strategic Thinking, Strategy Formulation, Project Management & Report Writing

Background

The API is a Pan-African collaborative initiative aimed at growing the capacity of accounting and auditing professionals in the public sector to enhance delivery of services to citizens. It coordinates the efforts of accountants general, supreme audit institutions, professional accountancy organisations and academics to systematically address the shortage of adequate professional accounting and auditing skills in the public sector.

The API is operated by its partner organisations (AFROSAI-E, CREFIAF, ESAAG and PAFA), overseen by the Oversight Board and supported by committees and academics, collectively providing the people who work for the API a regional, multi-lingual, digital and future-focused environment within which to create and innovate.

The API develops high-quality learning materials to enhance public sector accounting and auditing competence and supports countries to implement public sector accountancy certification programmes. The programmes are aimed at upskilling existing capacity while also developing a pipeline of future talent.

The API facilitates long-term change through solutions that are contextually relevant and aligned to the African Union Agenda 2063. To ensure relevance, buy-in, commitment and—most importantly—local ownership, the API works with relevant stakeholders to contextualise its capacity building approach to each jurisdiction.

Long-term success for the API includes more accounting and auditing professionals appointed to senior public finance positions, increased trust in public finance management systems, enhanced decision making in managing resources and, ultimately, improvements in service delivery. The API seeks to contribute meaningfully to long-term development on the African continent by ensuring that those entrusted with managing public funds do so in a manner that is effective, benefits all citizens and positively contributes to shared prosperity.