Finance Specialist

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general guidance of the Director, Financial Resources Management (FRM), and the direct supervision of the Treasurer (FRM/FS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1) Operations

a) Identify and implement best practices in treasury, accounting and risk management in the operations of the Team;

b) Ensure timely monitoring and reporting of financial risks;

c) Develop and document all policies and processes regarding Treasury operations, including accounting and investment guidelines, electronic banking protocol, business continuity plans, etc.;

d) Liaise with country offices to ensure provision of appropriate level of banking services, technology, training and operational support;

e) Supervise Treasury staff; provide training and guidance on issues arising from the day-to-day activities; monitor changes in workload in order to ensure equitable distribution of work to maintain optimal efficiency and output as well as job satisfaction; follow up on any deviation of work output;

f) Promote automation of tasks wherever possible, including reporting and dashboards, to support internal controls and management oversight;

2) Investments

a) Develop and maintain an active relationship with investment counterparts and asset managers to obtain investment information and market advice;

b) Review and report on performance of investment partners and portfolio managers;

c) Oversee the accounting and reporting of investment activity in accordance with accounting standards and financial regulations and rules;

d) Oversee calculation, accounting and reporting of interest apportionment to all PAHO interest-bearing funds;

e) Contribute to the preparation of investment reports and other documents for senior management and the PAHO Investment Committee;

f) Participate in the preparation for PAHO Investment Committee meetings;

g) Monitor, review and report on the compliance of internally and externally managed funds as per investment policies and guidelines;

h) Act as the key contact for KYC requests and other documentation from investment partners and banks;

i) Transaction Processing and Settlement Approvals, review and clear the processing of all settlements of Treasury Transactions;

j) Follow up on payment execution and settlement of all treasury operations to ensure they are processed on time and without delays;

k) Record keeping of all investment and cash management transactions as per policies and guidelines;

l) Ensure efficient and error free processing of all treasury transactions with strict compliance to policies and procedures;

m) Ensure necessary procedures including back-up and business continuity plans to minimize operational risks; 

3) General Banking

a) Develop and maintain an active relationship with banking partners to ensure efficient and cost-effective provision of services;

b) Support country office banking requirements, including the review of requests for new banking relationships and services and liaising with the Office of Legal Affairs to ensure banking documents conform to PAHO requirements;

c) Act as authorizing signatory on all payments issued at Regional Headquarters, ensuring the appropriate payment method, approvals and currency of payment;

d) Assume custody of all cash items received by the Organization and ensure maintenance of registry of receipts and disposition of these items; approve electronic deposit of check items;

e) Oversee the maintenance of bank signatory panels, database and files; review requests for new signatories; oversee the issuance of all correspondence related to bank accounts;

f) Review monthly bank reconciliations for corporate accounts and ensure timely clearance of outstanding reconciling items;

g) Monitor and analyze the banking fees on a regular basis to ensure they reflect agreed conditions; 

4) Other Duties

a) Provide ERP Business Process evaluation and training for the Treasury team members, as well as country office counterparts;

b) Manage the credit card program by providing advice to cardholders, monitoring and reporting the activity on credit cards and ensuring compliance with policies;

c) Ensure the maintenance of updated policies, SOPs and Job Aids for business processes under Treasury;

d) Prepare year-end statements and disclosures for the Financial Report to the Director;

e) Assemble information and maintain files on banking laws, currency conversion requirements (dollars to local currencies and local currencies to dollars), exchange control regulations, devaluation trends, etc., in the countries of the Region;

f) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring staff through setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment;

g) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or finance from a recognized university.

Desirable: Professional certification in Accounting (CPA or CA), Investment Management (CFA), or Treasury Management (CTP) is highly desired. A master’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position.PAHO, only considers official degrees 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: . PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, to support the validation process.

Experience :

Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience in accounting and/or finance, with at least two years of supervisory experience. Experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) required.

Desirable: Experience in managing investment portfolios would be an asset. Experience working with Workday Financial Management Modules or ERP would be an asset.

SKILLS :

PAHO Competencies:

· Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

· Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others / Deal effectively with conflict - Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.

· Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

· Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others - Manages individual and team’s projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted. Focuses on carrying out own managerial responsibilities, applying situational management style appropriate to the circumstances; provides staff with regular feedback, recognizes good performance and addresses performance issues. Encourages and motivates colleagues/staff to achieve individual and team objectives; shows confidence in staff where necessary and encourages initiative.

· Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently / Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

· Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

·Knowledge of current best practices in financial management, with specific emphasis on accounting standards, internal control tools, treasury and investment operations and risk management.

·Strong analytical skills in the review of financial alternatives in investing, banking services and accounting transactions.

·Strong supervisory skills including team building, training and performance assessment.

·Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and outside the Organization to support the banking and investment requirements of the Organization’s programs.

·Strong organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write, speak and present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful and courteous manner.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English with a working knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint and Outlook. Experience with complex ERP systems particularly regarding to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills/knowledge of report writing or other data management tools such as Visio, Access and Project, would be an asset.