Organization: UN Population Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 09 Sep 2015
VACANCY NO.: Job ID-3116
CLOSING DATE: 9 September 2015 (5.00 p.m. New York time)
POST TITLE: Finance Specialist (Revenue and Donor Reporting)
CATEGORY: ICS-11 (equivalent to P-4)
POST NUMBER: 27627
DUTY STATION: New York
POST TYPE: Non-Rotational
DURATION: One year (renewable)[1]
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Accounts Section, Finance Branch, Division for Management Services (DMS)
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:
The Finance Specialist role is located within the Accounts Section, Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services (DMS) and will directly report to Chief of the Accounts Section.
The Finance Branch is responsible for global financial management, issuance of donor, management and statutory reports, support to and monitoring of field offices on all financial and accounting matters, management of corporate accounts and the continuous development of corporate financial policies and guidance. The Branch plays a key role in the custody and oversight over appropriate use of financial resources, monitoring of financial transactions and the strengthening of ongoing compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Branch comprises the Accounts Section and the Data Management Unit.
The Accounts Section is divided into four teams – Payments; Statutory Reporting; Revenue and Donor Reporting and Global Monitoring and Advice.
The Revenue and Donor Reporting team is responsible for the application of all revenue related accounting policies and procedures. Additionally, the team provides advisory support to the HQ and CO’s for donor agreements; is responsible for the preparation of revenue related disclosures in the Financial Statements; issues all certified donor reports; acts as the focal point for treasury operations at HQ and CO and investment monitoring outsourced to UNDP Treasury; and oversees UNFPA’s Administrative Agent (AA) role in pooled funding mechanism.
The Finance Specialist will lead a small team and will participate on behalf of Finance Branch on several corporate initiatives related to donor funding. The role will involve close interaction with the Resource Mobilization Branch at UNFPA.
Job Purpose
• To provide leadership of the Revenue and Donor Reporting team in all aspects of revenue recording and reporting to internal and external stakeholders ensuring strict compliance with relevant authorities, standards and agreements.
• Provide the highest professional support to management for informed decision making.
• As treasury focal point manage and oversee a range of outsourced treasury activities and review requests concerning UNFPA bank accounts.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that revenue transactions at HQ and in the field are timely and accurately recorded and reported:
• Develop, issue and maintain financial and accounting policies and guidance covering all related aspects of the revenue chain.
• Operationalize the above through the development and maintenance of a system of recording transactions and reporting that ensures highest degree of accuracy and integrity.
• Review accounting transactions for reasonableness and compliance with IPSAS, financial regulations and rules, UNFPA policies, procedures and guidelines in force. Ensure regular reconciliation of key accounts.
• Prepare revenue related disclosures in the annual financial statements, the Executive Board (Financial and Statistical Review and the Annual Report in compliance with appropriate International Public Sector Accounting Standards and UNFPA Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Respond to internal and external audit observations and queries on related areas. Ensure all such observations are followed -up upon and corrective action undertaken.
• Perform analysis and identify and measure impact of recommended policies and procedures aimed at executing economical, efficient and effective operations in HQ and field offices.
• Ensure that country offices fulfill their financial accountability obligations by providing regular feedback to Regional and Country Offices.
• Support Resource Mobilization Branch and others in matters regarding revenue recognition; in-kind contribution agreements and non-standard donor agreements including reporting clauses.
Manage resources and safeguard UNFPA"s assets:
• Provide regular reports and briefings for management to optimize utilization of resources and minimization of refunds. Monitor implementation rates and flag potential issues to the budget owners and the Resource Mobilization Branch
• Ensure that non-core contributions are allocated on a timely basis, not overspent and expenditures are in compliance with donor covenants. Focal point for advance funding requests.
• Ensure that non-core contributions are always current and receivable and payable amounts are settled on a timely basis. Draw down funds under specific donor arrangements.
• Oversee the functions of UNFPA’s Administrative Agent (AA) role. Provide strategic advice to implementing departments on operational matters for pooled funds and provide advice on operational and financial matters related to donor agreements prior to signature,
• Working within the parameters of the outsourced services agreement with UNDP ensure that cash and investment returns are optimized and are invested in accordance with approved investment policy.
• Monitor the foreign exchange hedging activities on regular and non-core contributions and ensure that contributions forecasts and information are always current.
• Oversight of bank accounts at HQ and CO’s.
Donor Reporting
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to donors in accordance with legal agreements and protocol e.g. annual and final financial donor reports.
• Assure the quality of financial reports issued to non-standard donors.
• Support Resource Mobilization Branch and others in matters regarding donor agreements and coordinate any subsequent formulation of operational guidelines;
• Oversee the development of consolidated financial and narrative reporting templates for implementing units to complete in line with donor agreements
• Finance focal point for development of donor reporting portals.
Promote teamwork and high level of productivity through efficient staff supervision and mentoring:
• Motivate, inspire and reward staff to achieve the highest possible level of productivity through provision of training, counselling on career path and staff development.
• Promote a work life balance in the team.
• Co-ordinate and integrate unit work plans.
• Complete staff appraisals.
Other:
• Organize, prepare materials and participate as resource person in UNFPA training
• Represent Section and Branch on various internal and / or inter-organizational working groups.
• Promote continuous improvement and harmonization of business processes:
Required Competencies:
• Values:
Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change
• Core Competencies:
• Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles;
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management;
• Achieving results; Accountability
• Thinking analytically and Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships/ Communicating for impact
• Managerial Competencies:
Providing strategic focus, Engaging staff and partners, Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance, Making decisions and exercise judgment
Required Skillset:
Knowledge and understanding:
• Demonstrated knowledge and an understanding of the finance and accounting preferably in a public administration;
• Ability to lead and drive for results with a strong knowledge of results-based management.
Cognitive skills:
• Ability to identify the relative merits of different finance/accounting issues in the broad or specific thematic area, applying principles and reasoned professional advice in a logical and coherent way including presentation of reasoned risks and consequences of alternative options;
• Ability to conceptualize and to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
Communication:
• Ability to organize information using appropriate mode of presentation and style and to communicate effectively, illustrating relevance of information to the intended audience;
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
• Ability to promote knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal/professional example
Working with others:
• Demonstrated ability to work with and within inter-disciplinary and multicultural groups to find agreed solutions to set problems and to accept responsibility and accountability for performance on any aspect of a team task;
• Demonstrated ability to provide constructive coaching and feedback;
• Ability to reflect critically on own performance and to identifying issues on which assistance is needed and to obtain such assistance;
• Excellent internal/external networking skills.
Job Requirements:
Education:
• Advanced university degree in Accounting, Business Administration or Financial Management. A first level university degree combined with a recognized accounting designation (CA, CPA) may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience:
• 7 years of equivalent responsibility at the national level, including a minimum of 5 years of equivalent responsibility at the international level. Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Specialized experience in finance, accounting or programme management.
• Experience in working with professional accounting standards (ideally IPSAS) and in preparing financial reports / statements for external bodies.
• Experience with ERP systems (preferably PeopleSoft /Oracle). Excellent Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical skills to define systematic problems and recommend plans of action, new policies and procedures. Initiative and sound judgement.
Languages:
• Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of another UN language desirable.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
How to apply:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.
Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment
.
Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.
Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.
[1] No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5
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