Finance Officer (Accounts Section)

Vacancy No: RAPS/1/2014/FINANCE/01 Title: Finance Officer (Accounts Section) Grade: P.3 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment	Date: 7 March 2014 Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 6 April 2014 (12 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications   Organization unit:   DDG/MR FINANCE Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland
The following are eligible to apply: - ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 15 and 16 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. - External candidates - Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stage. In accordance with the Staff Regulations and letters of appointment, staff members would be expected to take up different assignments (field and Headquarters) during their career, the desirable length of an assignment in any specific position being three to five years., following which the incumbent should be willing to move to another assignment and/or duty station. Within the context of the Office's renewed efforts to promote mobility, staff members seeking mobility are encouraged to apply to vacancies. Mobility will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stages. The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applicants from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future, would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries is in Appendix I. Successful completion of the Assessment Centre is required for the external candidates. Conditions of employment are described in Appendix II.
INTRODUCTION The position is located in the Accounts Section of the Treasury and Accounts Branch (TREASURY) in the Financial Services Department (FINANCE). TREASURY has primary responsibility for the management of banking relationships and investments, and for the production of the annual consolidated and audited financial statements of the Organization as well as other statutory reports. The position is responsible for the monitoring and analysis of general ledger accounts, and is fully involved in the preparation of the annual ILO Consolidated and Audited Financial Statements and the implementation and maintenance of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at the ILO. It reports to the Section Chief.
Description of Duties Specific duties 1. Take responsibility for the implementation and subsequent maintenance of assigned IPSAS, ensuring that the corresponding data and disclosures are appropriately reflected in the ILO Consolidated Financial Statements. Liaise with the External Auditors on the subject matters, as required. 2. Maintain the Fixed Assets module of the ILO Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS). Monitor all financial aspects of fixed assets transactions on a regular basis, including fixed asset registration, depreciation, disposals and impairment, accounting and reporting of fixed assets and intangible assets, reconciliation of IPSAS based records with budgetary based records and preparation of relevant notes to the financial statements. 3. Take responsibility for other assigned accounting segments, such as financial instruments, intangible assets, leases, inventories, employee benefits, non-exchange transactions, which are part of the ILO Annual Financial Statements, in accordance with appropriate accounting standards and ILO accounting policies. Draft IPSAS relevant notes for inclusion in the Financial Statements. 4. Analyse ILO accounting transactions and balances on a regular basis, to ensure compliance with ILO Financial Rules and Regulations and IPSAS requirements, take corrective action as necessary and provide guidance and support to internal counterparties, including external offices. Perform primary and IPSAS ledgers reconciliations; ensure that all necessary IPSAS adjustments are properly recorded to the designated ledger. 5. Coordinate the timely collection by the Accounts Section of information (e.g. inventories, leases, in-kind contributions etc.) required for accounting and disclosures in the financial statements. Responsible for the maintenance of the web-based application used for the collection of data. 6. Prepare draft replies and ad-hoc reports as requested by the UN System Task Force on Accounting Standards on IPSAS related issues. 7. Perform other assigned tasks for the preparation of the ILO Consolidated Financial Statements. These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties: 1. Receive and analyse accounts and financial documents giving particular attention to apparent anomalies or unusual trends and initiating action to correct situations where anomalies occur; review regular financial reports, and prepare reports, correspondence and advice on complex cases. 2. Provide advice and guidance concerning the Organization's financial practices and rules and provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions in the operation supervised (e.g. authorising payments, approving salary payments, approving budgets and various accounting documents). 3. Review the operational efficiency of the assigned organisational/account area from managerial or accounting perspectives in order to improve the operation (including development of automated applications). 4. Supervise staff performing financial operations and producing periodic financial statements; correct and adapt the analytical work of subordinate professional and general service staff. 5. Manage the operation of the financial services of the area of responsibility and prepare related managerial reports. 6. Monitor and review selected financial transactions and documents (e.g. budget proposals, payment requests, requests for financial clearance, ACDs, payroll data etc.) prior to entry into the finance system; ensure implementation of procedures to control and monitor income and expenditure. 7. Prepare recurrent and ad hoc reports and relevant explanations, as requested by senior management. 8. Define requirements and terms of reference for systems specialists to produce specialised reports from the financial database and systems applications. 9. Maintain the financial procedures related to the assigned operation; draft circulars, manuals and training materials as necessary. 10. Prepare draft replies to internal and external audit observations concerning the assigned operation. 11. Analyse budget information to prepare and consolidate estimates and supporting data in relation to budget forecasts, performance reports and medium-term plans; review financial provisions of project agreements and documents; assess budget requests and draft budget proposals. 12. Other related functions, as requested.
Required Qualifications
Education Advanced university degree in finance or accounting or university degree supplemented by an accounting professional certification from an internationally recognized institution (e.g. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Associate of Charted Accountants (ACA), Associate of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountant (ACCA), etc.).
Experience Professional financial and accounting experience at the national level for over three years and two years at the international level. Professional experience in the preparation or audit of complex financial statements in accordance with IPSAS or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) would be an advantage.
Languages Excellent command of English, good working knowledge of French or Spanish. A third language would be an advantage.
Competencies  Technical competencies - Excellent knowledge of IPSAS or IFRS. Excellent accounting knowledge and skills. Effective and experienced analytical and diagnostic skills to prepare and analyse complex financial statements involving multiple funding sources and currencies in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and international accounting standards. Ability to analyse financial information from several sources, examining documentation; to resolve any apparent anomalies. Ability to plan and coordinate moderately complex projects or programs. Ability to draft reports and explain decisions effectively to staff within the organization. Ability to draft procedures for internal use which reflect sound financial rules. Ability to use common office computer applications. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and relevant financial applications. Behavioural competencies - Ability to motivate staff, establish team objectives, assign and supervise work and ensure that quality service/work is provided to clients. Discretion is required as work may involve dealing with confidential material. The ability to work in a multicultural environment. Gender sensitive behaviour and attitude.
Additional Information: Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place between May and July 2014. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR WRITTEN TEST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.
APPENDIX I
Angola Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize Botswana Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Cape Verde Chad China Congo Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Gabon Gambia Georgia Grenada Guatemala Guyana Iceland Iraq Japan Kazakhstan Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liberia Libya Maldives Malta Marshall Islands Mexico Montenegro Mozambique Namibia Nicaragua Oman Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Poland Qatar Republic of Korea Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Seychelles Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia South Sudan, Republic of Swaziland Syrian Arab Republic Tajikistan Togo Turkmenistan Tuvalu United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Vanuatu Viet Nam Yemen
APPENDIX II CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. - The first contract will be issued for a twelve-month period (for Geneva-based positions) and a twenty-four month period (for non Geneva-based positions) - A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment. - Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance. Grade: P.3 Salary and post adjustment (with dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 60205 rising to Maximum 80674 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 64539 Maximum 86482 Salary and post adjustment (without dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 56198 Maximum Maximum 75001 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 60244 Maximum 80401
Please note that the above salary levels are determined according to the criteria established by the International Civil Service Commission. The ILO is international public sector employer and salary and other employment conditions are not negotiable. Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment: Children's allowance (except for the first child if the dependent rate of salary is paid in respect of that child); Children's education grant (per child per year); Pension and Health Insurance schemes; 30 working days' annual leave; Assignment Grant; Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects; Repatriation Grant; Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years; Rental subsidy (if applicable). Recruitment is normally made at the initial step in the grade. Salaries and emoluments are exempt from taxation by the Swiss authorities and, on the basis of international agreements or national law relating to presence or residence abroad, are generally exempt from taxation by other governments. In the absence of exemption, in most cases tax paid will be reimbursed in accordance with an ILO document which will be supplied upon request. While the successful candidate will be initially working in Geneva, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO's e-Recruitment website at: erecruit.ilo.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.