The Mérieux Foundation
The Mérieux Foundation has been working independently in the service of global health since its creation in 1967. Recognized as a public utility, it specializes in the fight against infectious diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations in resource-limited countries.
The Mérieux Foundation’s actions are rooted in a commitment to strengthening local capacities, particularly in clinical biology, to improve surveillance, epidemic response, and access to healthcare. Working closely with communities to address their needs, the Foundation collaborates with local stakeholders in a spirit of partnership and networking, essential for mobilizing the skills and resources necessary to implement effective and sustainable initiatives.
It is particularly involved in the most impactful public health issues in its countries of operation, such as antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, acute respiratory infections, HIV, and emerging pathogens.
Committed to a holistic approach to health, the Mérieux Foundation integrates, beyond its expertise in biology, the main challenges impacting access to healthcare and living conditions in the countries where it operates. We work directly in more than 25 countries worldwide, in close collaboration with local stakeholders, enabling us to adapt our programs and actions to the realities on the ground and the needs of the people.
By focusing on cross-cutting and international activities, we contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs No. 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, No. 4 “Quality Education”, No. 9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and No. 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.
Joining us means becoming part of a team of nearly 150 employees spread across 16 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, united around common values: international solidarity, commitment, expertise and collaboration.
In Africa, the Mérieux Foundation has:
- From a coordination team grouped within an Africa Office based in Dakar;
- From a West Africa Office which coordinates projects in Senegal, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea Bissau (based in Dakar);
- From a Gulf of Guinea office which coordinates projects in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Guinea-Conakry (based in Lomé);
- From a Central Africa Office which coordinates projects in DRC, Burundi, Chad, CAR, Cameroon (based in Kinshasa).
General objective of the function
In Africa, the Mérieux Foundation and its partners support the strengthening of laboratory systems in about ten countries. Within the Africa Regional Team and under the hierarchical supervision of the Africa Administrative and Financial Manager and the functional supervision of the Accounting Manager at headquarters, the Accounting Officer ensures and carries out the following tasks:
Main missions
Mission 1: Accounting and Finance – West Africa
- Adhere to internal procedures in all office financial operations, particularly in supplier creation processes, purchasing and logistics processes, and petty cash management.
- Ensure the maintenance of general and analytical accounting for the zone offices and projects:
- Record routine transactions in the ERP system (purchases, bank statements, cash transactions and various other operations such as payroll).
- Track bank payments and perform monthly bank reconciliations.
- Ensure that supporting documents are properly filed.
- Process and follow up on staff advance requests for meetings and workshops (cash travel allowances and cash advances paid to employees and participants) and ensure accounting reconciliation at the end of the assignment
- Contribute to compliance with tax and social legislation at the national level
- Participate in external donor audits at the request of management.
- Provide backup for accounting data entry for restricted country teams
Mission 2: Treasury Management – West Africa
- Prepare funding requests for headquarters
- Monitor cash flow and petty cash
- Participate in supplier settlements according to the roles defined by RAF Africa
Mission 3: Relations with third parties
- To be the primary point of contact for local tax and social security organizations within one’s area
Mission 4: Cross-cutting missions in Africa
- Ensure the review of the accounts of other offices in conjunction with local accounting managers
- To be the primary contact for the Accounting Manager of the Mérieux Foundation, based at headquarters, on accounting matters, particularly those related to periodic and annual closings.
- Assist the RAF Africa in the internal training of new accountants
- Assist the Regional Administrative and Financial Officer and the Regional HR Officer in producing payroll for the Senegal and DRC offices in accordance with local regulations.
- Carry out any other tasks related to its scope (inventory, improvements to IT tools, etc.)
Profile
Initial training
- University degree at Bachelor’s or Master’s level in accounting or finance
Further training / specialization
- Training in financial management of projects funded by international donors.
- Training in auditing/internal control would be an asset
Desired experience
- At least 5 years of professional experience in accounting (proficiency in accrual accounting and accounting according to SYCEBNL standards)
- At least 5 years of experience in financial management of development/humanitarian projects funded by international donors
Required professional skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (dashboards, analyses)
- Good command of digital tools (Internet, professional email, collaborative tools)
- Good understanding and use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software; proficiency with Business Central ERP would be an asset
- Knowledge of donor requirements and compliance rules
Required behavioral skills
- Rigour and reliability
- Autonomy and a sense of responsibility
- Analytical and synthesis skills
- Ability to work in a team within a multicultural environment
- Ability to anticipate, prioritize, and manage deadlines
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a variety of people.
- Desire to broaden one’s field of knowledge
LANGUAGES
Excellent command of French, both spoken and written
Proficiency in professional English
How to apply
Job requirements
- Employment contract under Senegalese law with a fixed term of one (01) year renewable;
- Working hours: full time (40 hours/week);
- 100% health insurance for the employee and their dependents.
- Gross annual total compensation package
- Gross monthly salary of employee (taxable): 1,500,000 FCFA Gross + 13th month pro rata to time of attendance (payment in November);
- Performance bonus calculated on gross monthly salary (eligibility after nine (09) months of presence in the calendar year and paid in March).
- Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent with the subject line “Accounting Officer Africa” to the following address before 31/10/2026: recrutement@humanitalents.com
- Written tests and interviews will be conducted.
- The Mérieux Foundation reserves the right to contact candidates and close the recruitment process before the offer publication deadline.