GradeGS7
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Higher Functions
Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily<p></p><p></p>
Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date2023-03-03
Target End Date2023-06-30
Job Posting End DateFebruary 16, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Finance and Accounting Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Finance and Accounting Associate processes financial transactions and provides technical support to the Field with the processing of financial transactions, and monitors compliance with applicable financial rules and regulations. The incumbent therefore keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels, including Country/Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ divisions.
The Senior Finance and Accounting Associate is normally supervised by a more senior colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance, but s/he works with a high degree of independence with an oversight from the supervisor. The incumbent also supervises less senior team members.
The duties of the Senior Finance and Accounting Associate may have different focus depending on the specific area of responsibility, including the following.
General Ledger (GL) coordinates the drafting of the annual account closing instructions, complies with annual financial statements, and coordinates audit for the areas under its responsibility.
Accounts Payable (AP) processes AP vouchers and central payments for UNHCR, provides related technical support to the Field and coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AP and Expenses and handles requests related to the appropriate segregation of duties through the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP).
Accounts Receivable and Donor Reporting (ARDR) processes incoming deposits and provides related technical support to the Field, accounts for revenue adjustments, raises bills for miscellaneous income, and coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AR and Revenue, compiles financial reports to UNHCR's donors, which requires active liaison with colleagues from the Division of External Relations (DER) and the respective Field Offices.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Process assigned transactions and maintain financial records accurately, completely and duly for accounts for which responsibility is assigned.
- Review and approve assigned transactions.
- Provide technical support to Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ divisions, and provide answers and guidelines to accounting and finance related matters.
- Monitor compliance by users in different entities with the relevant financial rules, regulations and procedures. Bring issues related to non-compliance to the attention of supervisors, and actively pursue such cases. Implement new monitoring methods if necessary.
- Escalate to supervisors any indication of breach in the internal control system, including suspected fraud.
- Prepare ad-hoc and recurring reports, analyses and reconciliations on assigned accounts/areas of responsibility. Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures. Monitor and follow-up on open items, variances, errors and other issues identified.
- Liaise with relevant counterparts to obtain information and verify data on accounts and financial transactions including more complex cases, as required.
- Carry out month-end and year-end closing activities and propose additional instructions for the month-end and year-end closure of accounts. Ensure smooth month-end and year-end closures.
- Gather information and documentation requested by auditors and propose responses to audit queries.
- Identify possibilities for improving processes and recommend ways to improve cooperation between key stakeholders at different geographic locations. Coordinate implementation of agreed improvements.
- Actively participate in the design and testing related to the implementation of new systems and tools.
- Draft and update standard operating procedures, guidance notes and training materials.
- Establish work objectives for the assigned team members and allocate work among them. Regularly plan and monitor the activities performed, facilitate effective communication among assigned team members and encourage sharing of knowledge and best practices.
- Resolve escalated issues or escalate them further if necessary.
- Brief and assist new team members on requirements relating to accounts and finance.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Business Administration; Finance;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience with ERP financial modules (PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP). Experience with accrual accounting (IPSAS, IFRS or similar).
Desirable
Experience with MSRP Finance applications. Experience with UN/UNHCR financial rules, regulations and procedures. Experience in people management.
Functional Skills
*FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
*IT-Computer Literacy
*FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate ProfileAlexander Varadi's performance was satisfactory, extension on temporary higher function requested till 30/06/2023
Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)
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,
Desired languages
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Additional Qualifications
SkillsFI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
CertificationsAccounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other
Work Experience
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Other information