Consultant - Finance and Budget Expert (Health Financing)

About the role

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is seeking a Finance and Budget Expert (Consultant) to support the implementation of health financing, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health systems strengthening initiatives. The role ensures effective financial management of these programmes, with better alignment between budgets and outputs, greater transparency and accountability, and timely delivery. It is based in Addis Ababa for an expected duration of 5 months, under the guidance of the Director of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division and the Programme Management Officer.

Key responsibilities

• Support the preparation and implementation of activities for health financing, UHC and health systems strengthening projects, including budget submissions aligned with work plans and analytical outputs.
• Review budget performance reports and analyse variances between approved budgets and actual spending.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of programmes, tracking financial resources used for studies, advisory work and capacity building, and initiating follow-up actions.
• Maintain funding agreements and implementing partner reports in Umoja, prepare donor financial statements, funds commitments and purchase orders.
• Monitor budget implementation, verify charges and obligations in Umoja, reconcile accounts with amended budgets and recommend improvements.
• Process accounting transactions regularly, review and evaluate financial reports, and obtain clearances for administrative actions such as recruitment, travel, meetings, payments and procurement.
• Prepare and maintain files and databases, draft correspondence on work plans, budgets and programme reports, and help respond to audit queries.

Required profile

• Advanced degree (Master or equivalent) in finance, business administration and management, or a Bachelor's degree; Master's holders need at least 5 years of professional experience, Bachelor's holders at least 7 years.
• At least 7 years of experience in programme or project administration in an accounting and finance environment, with strong IT skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Required skills

• Knowledge of Umoja and UN financial and budgetary processes is preferred.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel is highly desirable.