Background
IPSS aspires to be a premier institute for peace and security studies in Africa. Its mission is to promote peace and security in Ethiopia and Africa at large through education, research and outreach. The Institute produces skilled professionals in conflict prevention, management and resolution as well as in peacebuilding, and promotes the values of a democratic and peaceful society. It works at the national, regional as well as continental level.
As part of its continental activities, the IPSS was mandated by the African Union’s (AU) Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security in Africa which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AU to serve as a research and policy think-tank.
Since January 2010, the African Union (AU) and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University, set up the Africa Peace and Security Programme at IPSS. This Pan-African programme aims at promoting advanced education, applied research, policy advice and dialogue on Africa’s peace and security challenges. The programme covers activities across the peace and security spectrum and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Since the commencement of the programme, IPSS has established itself as an Addis Ababa University Center of Excellence and a premier think tank for peace and security on the continent, thus making a major contribution towards capacity building and networking between relevant stakeholders.
The programme is supported by several development partners, with GIZ being the largest contributor.
The Institute through the APSP serves a Secretariat to the Tana High Leve Forum which it helps to establish in 2012 under the guidance of the African Union and the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the host country. The Forum aims to provide African key stakeholders with a platform to work towards effective African-led solutions to the continent’s most pressing security challenges.
Objective
Under the supervision of the IPSS Director, the Head of Finance and Operations will be responsible for overseeing the administrative and financial as well as the human resources management of IPSS. To this end, the Head of Finance and Operations will streamline, coordinate and supervise the various business units and processes related to operations, finances and human resources. The Head of Finance and Operations will be responsible also for enforcing high financial and procurement governance standards within IPSS.
Tasks and deliverables
Financial Management (budget, accounting, and finances)
Procurement and inventory
Human Resources
The Head of Finance and Operations undertakes the following:
Coordination
Supervisory functions
· Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;