Senior Finance Officer

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Senior Finance Officer-24200-FT

Financial Reporting Section, Finance Division

Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration, Finance and Management Sector

Grade: P4

Contract Duration: 2 years

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Publication Date: 24-Jun-2024

Application Deadline: 19-Jul-2024, 5:59:00 PM

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

a. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Financial Reporting Section of the Finance Division, Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration, Finance and Management Sector. The Financial Reporting Section is responsible for the preparation of financial reporting (including annual financial statements and reports to FITS donors) for both WIPO and UPOV. In this regard, the Section is responsible for ensuring that annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In addition, the Section is charged with the receipt of assessed and voluntary contributions for both WIPO and UPOV, together with all the related accounting and correspondence and is responsible for the preparation of bank and other reconciliations and for maintaining the accounting records regarding the Organization's fixed assets.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent is primarily responsible for the administration and financial reporting of extra-budgetary resources (Funds-in-Trust), and the financial aspects of assessed contributions. In these areas, the incumbent has a strategic role, working with Member States to ensure the effective operation of both voluntary and assessed contribution processes. In this regard, the incumbent is also required to co-ordinate with colleagues within the Finance Division and across the Organization, and to directly supervise the work of the Associate Finance Officer. The incumbent also works closely with the rest of the Financial Reporting Section in other areas of responsibility, including assisting the Head of Financial Reporting in specific areas for the preparation of annual financial statements.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Financial Reporting Section.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

1. Ensure and oversee the accurate preparation of Funds-in-Trust donor reports on a timely basis in accordance with the terms of each individual donor contract.
2. Participate in trust fund administration, working with Program Managers and other WIPO units; assist in the development of internal procedures; contribute to the review and assessment of the appropriateness of existing or draft contracts with donors to ensure compliance with WIPO's Financial Regulations and Rules; liaise with Finance Division colleagues concerning the treasury management of funds.
3. Supervise the work of the Associate Finance Officer to ensure the accurate and timely preparation of reconciliations and recording of accounting entries, and the proper preparation of external correspondence. Manage, correct and adapt the analytical work performed by relevant subordinate staff at the Professional level. Identify opportunities for modifying and enhancing the reporting on Funds-in-Trust.
4. Assume responsibility for the management of contributions from Member States and working capital funds for WIPO and UPOV, including calculation, invoicing, receipt, recording of payments and preparation of monthly reconciliations and resolving complex issues; prepare the financial documentation for the governing bodies and manage relations with the permanent missions, the United Nations and the national IP/UPOV Offices; act as the focal point for questions related to the operation of the contribution system for WIPO and UPOV. Work closely with IT support functions to streamline invoicing and reporting processes, and to increase analytical capabilities through improved use of the ERP system.
5. Prepare the correspondence and annexes for the Madrid and Hague annual fee distributions, in liaison with the Income Section of the Finance Division; prepare calculations to ensure the accurate netting of contributions with fee distributions (on an annual or monthly basis as required); manage relations with the permanent missions, the national IP/UPOV Offices and the banks in the process of the fee distributions.
6. Perform regular tasks as an Approving Officer of the Organization in accordance with WIPO's Financial Regulations and Rules. Perform tasks as Security Administrator for financial and banking platforms used by the Finance Division.
7. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the analysis of projects and accounting records for the preparation of WIPO and UPOV financial statements prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
8. Monitor and advise on the work of the Financial Reporting Section related to partnerships, and supervise the work of colleagues in this area. Keep up to date with the latest developments in IPSAS, and other relevant standards, including in sustainability reporting. Participate in meetings of the UN Task Force on Accounting Standards and related working and focus groups as required.
9. Participate in the provision of information and the preparation of replies to external and internal auditors in the context of accounting and financial reporting, prepare analysis and develop policies and procedures which may be required to respond to audit observations or recommendations and carry out related actions.
10. Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, economics or related discipline. A first-level university degree in any discipline in combination with a proven professional track record of nine years or more relevant experience in accounting or finance may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Professional accounting qualification.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in accounting or finance. Experience working with an ERP system.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience working in a UN common system organization. Experience of working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Accounting Standards (IAS) and/or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages, preferably Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work within strict time constraints and to meet deadlines. High level of service-orientation. Attention to detail and accuracy. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and ability to adapt quickly to new software. Ability to manage diverse and multicultural team.

1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
4. Valuing diversity.
5. Producing results.
6. Showing service orientation.
7. Seeing the big picture.
8. Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.

Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the June 2024 rate of 88.5%

P4

Annual salary: $75,602

Post adjustment: $66,908

Total Salary: $142,510

Currency: USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.