Organizational Unit : United Nations University – Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE)

Reference Number : 2011/UNU/ViE/FTA/FAO/32

Applications to : By Email: hrbonn@vie.unu.edu

Application deadline : 11 September 2011 (Revised and extended deadline)

United Nations University Objectives:

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. For more information please visit www.unu.edu.

Vice-Rectorate in Europe (ViE)

The Vice-Rectorate in Europe concentrates on relationships between advancing science and technology for human security. In addition to its scientific core mandate it administers the central units providing service to four UNU entities in Bonn. The central administration units include Finance, Human Resources, Information Communication Technology, Communication Services, Procurement and General Administration. These units also assist with the administration of new UNU initiatives in Europe and Africa. For more information on the organization, please visit the following websites: www.vie.unu.edu; www.ehs.unu.edu; www.unwater.unu.edu; www.ihdp.unu.edu.

Responsibilities:

Under the technical guidance of the Chief Financial Officer of the UNU Centre and reporting directly to the Head of Institute in EHS on an operational level, the key responsibilities of the Finance and Administration Officer are as follows. In addition, this position will be servicing the Vice-Rectorate Office in Europe (VIE), UN-Water, and International Human Dimension Program (IHDP) besides EHS.

Finance:

  • Supervise and review the work of the Finance and Administration Team and take the lead with respect to the preparation and implementation of the work programme, ensuring that financial resources are utilized to implement activities in accordance with the Programme Budget and allotments issued;
  • Serve as a UN authorized Approving Officer and a UNU Procurement Authority;
  • Coordinate the preparation of the budget for the UNU entities in Bonn in accordance with the operating plans established for those entities;
  • Monitor and review the work programme and budget by conducting regular and special reviews to assess progress of actual work versus the programme plan;
  • Define requirements and work with systems units with respect to improving budget reporting systems and cost effective utilization of programme resources;
  • Develop procedures and implement same to ensure that accounting and financial management controls are consistent with UN policy and practice;
  • Oversee the preparation of financial and programme reports in accordance with the terms and conditions of donor contracts to national and international donors in the public sector, notably German ministries and agencies, the European Union, donors in the private sector and the UNU Headquarters;

General Administration:

  • Effectively coordinate actions relative to the administration of human resource activities, e.g. recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training, etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures;
  • Oversee work related to procurement, billing and receipt of income from various services, operational travel programme, procurement monitoring and evaluation of vendor contracts/payment to vendors and individual contractors for services;
  • Review adequacy of departmental space requirements;
  • Participate in the on-going implementation and development of Atlas (PeopleSoft) applications and in UNU’s implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS);
  • Oversee the identification of the office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems, coordinating enhancement as necessary;
  • Represent the UNU on the Bonn inter-agency Committee for Common Operations Management;
  • Perform other related work as required.

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field related to Accounting/Finance or an undergraduate degree combined with a professional accounting qualification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or other related professional memberships are required;
  • Minimum two (2) years (applicable for P2 level) or five (5) years (applicable for P3 level) of progressively responsible professional experience in financial accounting, administration, human resource management or related fields;
  • Experience in big 4 audit/accounting firms would be advantageous;
  • Previous experience in submitting financial reports to the European Union, German Ministries and similar international entities would be an asset;
  • Intermediate level ability in Microsoft Excel and proficiency in the use of other MS Office applications is required;
  • Strong technical background in accounting, with a thorough knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and their applications
  • Experience in using PeopleSoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Financials system or another ERP system is highly desirable;
  • Client oriented team player with strong inter-personal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
  • Strong planning and organisation skills, ability to establish priorities, work within tight timelines and multi-task; Ability to work under minimal supervision with high level of resilience;
  • Creativity, and commitment to continuous learning;
  • Excellent in both oral and written English. Good knowledge of German and other United Nations Official languages will be an asset.

The successful candidate may be required to spend at least two weeks in the UNU Centre, Finance Services, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for training at the commencement of appointment and may be expected to undertake occasional missions during the course of the assignment.

Remuneration:

We offer competitive net salary (tax-exempted) at P-2/P-3 level commensurate to level of experience and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.

The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common System, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information, please visit; http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.

Duration of contract:

This is a full time fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for a period of 2 years with the possibility of renewal on a rolling fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance. This is an internationally recruited post. Suitably qualified women candidates and applicants from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that which is advertised.

The United Nations University is a non-smoking environment.

Starting date: As soon as possible

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail, and must include the following:

  • a cover letter indicating the reference number above and setting out how the applicant’s qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
  • a curriculum vitae;
  • a completed and signed UN University Personal History form downloaded from the UN University website at http://www.bonn.unu.edu/article/read/job-vacancies. Please note that similar forms used by other United Nations organizations will not be accepted;

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; only short-listed candidates will be contacted; unsuccessful applications can neither be acknowledged nor returned.