Accountant [temporary]

This position is located in the Financial Resources Management Service (FRMS), Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Unit.

**Responsibilities**:
Within delegated authority, the Accountant will be responsible for the following duties:

- Analyses accounts and reviews/evaluates regular financial reports Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner.
- Approves/Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments.
- Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
- Assists, prepares or consolidates financial statements for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations. Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority.
- Provides advice and guidance concerning the United Nations’ Financial Regulations and Rules and Accounting Instructions.
- Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions.
- Coordinates and supervises the processing of IOV’s, payroll, government and vendor claims, travel, and billing of government accounts.
- Monitors, analyses, and approves transactions for entry into the accounting system.
- Keeps abreast and provides guidance on the United Nations on billings related to the Enterprise Resource Planning system (UMOJA) procedures.
- Defines requirements and works with systems units with respect to production of relevant financial reports.
- Participates in the development of accounting policies.
- Provides information needed to respond to audit findings.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
- TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration is required.

Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning system, such as SAP, is desirable.

Experience of working within the UN Common System is desirable.

Experience in auditing financial statements is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required and knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Special Notice
- While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
- Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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