Accounting Assistant

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Grants Management and Field Support Unit (GMFSU), Accounts Section (AS) of the Financial Resources Management Service (FRMS) in the Division for Management (DM) at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Unit. For more information on UNOV and UNODC, please visit www.unov.org and www.unodc.org. ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority, the Accounting Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Scrutinize source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges. • Investigate erroneous charges and take appropriate corrective accounting actions. • Reconcile and review clearing accounts and ensure proper clearance procedures have been followed. • Extract details of income, expenditure, assets and liability from accounting system in order to analyze and verify accuracy and validity. • Consolidate data into financial statements. • Assist with the monitoring of expenditures to ensure they remain within authorized levels. • Prepare worksheets and assist with the preparation of financial statements. • Audit various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursements and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices. • Maintain records of voluntary contributions to the Funds in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). • Prepare reports for the donor in accordance with the funding agreements. • Monitor funding sources for projects funded from voluntary contributions to ensure compliance with the terms of funding agreements. • Serve as Approving Officer for various financial transactions, including journal vouchers, billing, and payments up to an authorized level. • Provide guidance and training to colleagues as required. • Supervise other General Service staff as required. • Draft/prepare memoranda and/or cables to various offices, departments and overseas offices. • Respond to queries from staff members and third parties. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform other work-related duties as may be required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has knowledge in the use and application of the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Is able to extract, interpret, and analyze a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Has the ability to perform analysis, modelling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of experience in accounting, finance or related area, two of which should be directly related to accounting, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. IPSAS/IFRS experience is required. Work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Work experience with SAP/Umoja is desirable. Work experience using advanced Microsoft Office applications and/or other databases is desirable. Experience with United Nations’ or a similar international organization’s financial rules and regulations is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).