Finance Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Financial Reporting Section of the Finance Division, Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration, Finance and Management Sector. The Financial Reporting Section is responsible for the preparation of financial reporting (including annual financial statements and reports to FITS donors) for both WIPO and UPOV. In this regard, the Section is responsible for ensuring that annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In addition, the Section is charged with the receipt of assessed and voluntary contributions for both WIPO and UPOV, together with all the related accounting and correspondence and is also responsible for the preparation of bank and other reconciliations and for maintaining the accounting records regarding the Organization's fixed assets.

b.    Purpose Statement

As a member of the Financial Reporting Section, the incumbent performs a wide variety of tasks relating to the preparation of annual financial statements and financial reporting in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Financial Reporting Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with the Treasury Section in supporting the accounting and financial reporting of financial instruments, and with the Human Resources Operations Service to obtain census and statistical data necessary to support actuarial assumptions.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Prepare accounting records and financial data of WIPO and UPOV for inclusion in the annual financial statements as well as interim financial reports and check for consistency with applicable accounting standards. Draft the annual financial statements of the WIPO/UPOV After-Service Health Insurance Plan (ASHIP) for review by the Head of the Financial Reporting Section.

b.   Review and verify accounting entries and records for financial instruments, including investments and derivatives. Working with the Treasury Section, ensure correct interpretation and compliance with applicable accounting standards and guidance, and draft relevant disclosures for inclusion in financial reports.

c.   Prepare and review data for submission to external actuaries for the calculation of employee benefit liabilities. Liaise with colleagues in the Human Resources Operations Service to obtain census and statistical data necessary to support actuarial assumptions. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the review and reporting of actuarial assumptions and calculations.

d.   Prepare monthly downloads of financial data from the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for inclusion in summary reports. Review monthly accrual estimates, and prepare the summary report template. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the preparation of monthly accrual accounting adjustments.

e.   Supervise and review the work of the Senior Finance Clerk relating to the preparation of bank reconciliations and other asset and liability accounts as required. Carry out a range of daily activities as a bank signatory, including the review of payments as part of fraud prevention and detection.

f.    Review accounting records and physical verification reports relating to the Organization’s fixed assets. Ensure that project expenditure has been reviewed and where necessary capitalized in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Review fixed asset register reconciliations and prepare disclosures for inclusion in financial reports.

g.   Review and control calculations of adjustments to align revenue recognition with applicable accounting standards, and prepare inputs to support the development of accounting procedures and policies in this area for compliance with the latest standards. Actively participate in projects to increase automation of these calculations, working in close collaboration with teams responsible for enterprise solutions.

h.   Advise staff across the Organization on the correct application of finance regulations, rules, or procedures to cases. Monitor the latest developments in accounting standards, and work on the implementation of new financial reporting areas including partnerships and sustainability disclosures.

i.    Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the provision of information and the preparation of replies in the context of the external audit of the WIPO annual financial statements.

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

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