Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a United States based non-profit organization which is dedicated to creating, evaluating and replicating innovative approaches to solving real-world problems faced by the poor in developing countries. IPA specializes in using Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) to evaluate the impact of development programs.

Innovations for Poverty Action, Ghana seeks a qualified Accounts and Procurement Officer to be based in its Tamale office. The Accounts and Procurement Assistant will report to the Senior Operations Manager and the Finance Manager, and will spend 50% of his/her time on finance and accounting tasks and 50% on procurement tasks.

In particular the Accounts and Procurement Assistant will;

•   Process  advances and check requests;
•   Check all Expense Returns;
•   Accurately  file all financial documents;
•   Maintain the cash book;
•   Make weekly deposits of funds from refunds into the bank account;
•   Ensuring that all financial transactions comply with IPA-Ghana policies and procedures;
•   Ensure that all procurement is in compliance with regulations and laws related to procurement practices and in accordance with IPA standard practices;
•   Prepare technical specifications for request for proposals, including terms, conditions and evaluation criteria;
•   Prepare and develop bid documents, and supplier bid lists to obtain competitive quotations on goods and services;
•   Keep constantly apprised of economic / business situations as they affect procurement policy; make recommendations to adequately meet those changing conditions;
•   Develop, update and recommend changes to procurement related standard practices; interpret policies and procedures to staff in their need to purchase goods and services;
•   Analyze procurement activities and recommend improvement through more efficient procurement methods, quantity discounts, standardization, value analysis and cooperative purchasing;
•   Solicit procurement related information by telephone, facsimile, interview or written requests ensuring cost effectiveness commensurate with quality;
•   Review tenders and purchase award documentation with respect to quality, suitability, delivery and pricing;
•   Prepare and maintain accurate records and documentation on all solicitations, responses, purchases, contracts, correspondence and related follow up;
•   Expedite outstanding purchase orders to ensure delivery requirements are met;
•   Promote and develop contact and liaison with the supplier community;
•   Interview current suppliers to improve levels of service and new suppliers to develop and establish new sources of supply;
•   Collect and report statistics to measure commodity and/or supplier performance;
•   Prepare reports to ensure compliance with related laws and regulations;
•   Coordinate and resolve problems with suppliers; and
•   Perform other related duties that may be assigned.

Qualification Required and Experience

•   Bachelors degree in Accounting or related field;
•   At least 3 years of accounting/procurement experience;
•   Knowledge of, and experience with accounting software, Excel, word, PowerPoint;
•   Ability to maintain confidentiality of procurement and financial information;
•   Ability to comply with standard practices, regulations and statutes;
•   Ability to communicate effectively in English;
•   Good time management and interpersonal skills;
•   Well organized and willing to learn;
•   Attention to detail.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit the following by email to:-

jobs-ghana@poverty-action.org

Closing Date: 31 January, 2014

•   CV, including contact information
•   Cover letter/Letter of Intent
•   Three employment references

The subject line of the email should read; Accounts and Procurement Officer.

•   All documents should be submitted as attachments, and the file names should include the name of the applicant.
•   The documents may be submitted in MS Word or PDF format.
•   Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by email or phone.