Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/12/D1/FT-C/01 Publication Date: 21 December 2012
Title: Director of Finance
Application Deadline: 20 March 2013
Grade: D1 Organizational Unit: Finance and Strategy
Type of contract Fixed-Term (Core) Appointment Directorate (DFI)
Duty Station: Bern Switzerland
Duration: Three years
Scheduled date for taking up appointment: as soon as possible
Organizational Context:
1 Formulates guidelines and strategies with regard to the Union's finances, budgets, accounts and cash flow
Defines and develops new policies with regard to rules, approaches and fundraising systems dealing with countries' contributions and other sources of financing
Advises the General Management and acts as the official authority for other IB directorates in the above-listed areas
2 Plans, coordinates and directs the work of all programmes and entities reporting to the DFI
Takes important decisions on organizational, operational, technical and policy matters within the remit of the DFI
Is the guarantor of official information regarding the financial situation of the Union
3 Represents the DFI and, by delegation, the Union within the UPU bodies and in dealings with all external partners
Main duties:
1 Responsibilities in the area of strategy
1.1 As a member of the Management Committee
- Make proposals with regard to general policy, internal organization and use of the International Bureau's budgets and resources
- Advise the General Management on key policy matters and on the Union's financial and budgetary situation and direction
1.2 As Director of Finance
- Develop, put into place and ensure the implementation of policies, methods and systems for all activities within the remit of the DFI (budget, management, accounting, cash flow, banking relations, etc.)
- Design and implement new systems with respect to sources of funding for the International Bureau's activities and establish budget funding mechanisms (member countries' contributions, extrabudgetaryfinancing, use of reserve funds, etc.)
- Ensure appropriate organization-wide management of the Union's resources
- Draw up and validate instructions, rules, documents and key tools in the above-listed areas
- Develop and supervise clearing activities between Union member countries
- Provide support in the development of new structures, products and services proposed by the International Bureau within the framework of the Doha Postal Strategy
2 Management of the DFI (programmes and entities reporting to the DFI)
2.1 Implementation and coordination of the routine activities of the programmes and entities that report to the DFI
- Direct budget preparation activities, coordinating internal consultations related thereto
- Supervise work and the progress thereof, ensuring compliance with established timeframes
- Identify best practices and ensure their implementation with a view to improving procedures and productivity
- Supervise the preparation and finalization of all financial and accounting reports and legal documents within the DFI's remit, and validate them, paying particular attention to any comments and/or analyses contained therein
- Ensure compliance with the rules and regulations governing the organization's financial and accounting management, as well as the accuracy of its financial and accounting data
2.2 Support and expertise
- Provide authoritative advice on complex and sensitive financial issues
- Provide expert advice and decide on sensitive matters relating to the DFI's activities 2.3 Administrative management
- Supervise the administrative activities required for the smooth functioning of the DFI
- Ensure appropriate management of the DFI's resources, including that of the entities reporting to it
- Report to the General Management on the DFI's performance
2.4 Supervision of projects
Supervise work and validate information/reports relating to projects or matters deemed strategic by the DFI
2.5 Management and organization of teams
- Propose a clear organizational structure and ensure that work is assigned based on up-to-date job descriptions so as to allow effective functioning of the DFI
- Prepare the work plans and set the priorities of the DFI and the entities reporting to it
- Direct, manage and motivate staff (objective setting, appraisals, training, disputes, etc.)
3 Responsibilities with regard to the UPU bodies
- Act as secretary of the Council of Administration and Congress committees responsible for finance
- Report to member countries on the Union's financial situation
4 Representation
Represent the Director General and the organization at discussions and negotiations dealing with the Union's financial activities and involving the participation of other United Nations system organizations, external auditors, the Swiss Confederation, etc.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education:
Masters (or equivalent) in financial management, auditing and management control
Experience:
Minimum of 10 years' experience in the field of financial management, auditing and management control, or as an expert in the area of IPSAS standards
Technical knowledge:
- Extensive knowledge of financial engineering techniques
- Extensive knowledge of budget management and management control
- Very good knowledge of accounting practices and IPSAS standards
- Very good knowledge of auditing practices
- Very good knowledge of the UPU strategy adopted by the Doha Congress and of the policies established by the International Bureau
- Sound knowledge of the rules and procedures relating to the functioning of UPU bodies and committees (Council of Administration, Postal Operations Council, etc.)
- Good knowledge of banking sector practices and products/services
Skills and abilities / competencies:
- Proven track record in managing projects, monitoring sensitive matters and leading teams, and ability to take necessary measures and give clear advice
- Demonstrated ability to think globally and strategically
- Ability to identify solutions to problems and to manage complex organizational, technical and policy issues
- Ability to organize and plan
- Ethical awareness and a strong sense of rigour, as well as a head for figures and awareness of costs
- Sound judgement and ability to understand and interpret official documents and sensitive situations
- Ability to defend positions and deal with complex matters
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in a multicultural environment
Language skills:
Perfect proficiency in English or French and the ability to communicate in the other language. Knowledge of other languages, particularly those used in the United Nations system, would also be an advantage
Annual salary: (Net of tax) Post adjustment: 100.2 % of the above figure(s). This
95394 percentage is to be considered as indicative since
103204 with primary dependants variations may occur each month either upwards or
downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.
The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.
All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior
(D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority. Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.
UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.
For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at: http://www.upu.int/en/resources/vacancies
Director of Finance , Bern , Switzerland
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