If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance and supervision of the Accountant (Financial Reporting), the incumbent will be responsible forfinancial reporting, analysis and closure activities, primarily, but not exclusively, related to accounting for programmesupplies (i.e. inventory) and employee benefits, in addition to other areas as appropriate. The incumbent will also serve as aproject specialist.An advanced university degree (Master's) is an advantage.
The incumbent will ensure that programme supplies are recorded in compliance with UNICEF's IPSAS policies andprocedures at headquarters, regional and country office locations and that employee benefit liabilities are recorded inaccordance with UNICEF's policies and procedures. The incumbent will also ensure that internal controls are designedwith the objectives of achieving an appropriate balance between the cost of compliance with UNICEF's policies and thebenefits derived from these policies for the purposes of accurate financial reporting.
The incumbent is also responsible to lead key strategic projects, many of which will comprise of cross-functional teams asa result of the ERP system environment.Key Expected Results1. Financial Accounting:(a) Establish and maintain procedures, systems and controls to ensure inventory activities are accurate and complete andrecorded in the UNICEF general ledger on a timely basis.(b) Work with ITSS to address system deficiencies and to develop, test and support the introduction of new systemrequirements. Procedures will include:• reconciliation of the system modules in which information related to inventory activities are recorded;• review and analysis of information to detect and, in collaboration with other HQ and field offices, resolve issues relatedto inventory activities.(c) Establish and maintain procedures, systems and controls to ensure reserve activities are accurate and complete andrecorded in the UNICEF general ledger on a timely basis.(d) Lead and manage the procurement activities for the annual actuarial valuation and review the report for actuariallyvalued employee benefit liabilities in coordination/consultation with the actuary and determine and record the period-endaccounting transactions. Provide interpretation, instruction, guidance and education to Human Resource and payrollpersonnel on all matters of accounting and reporting for payroll and employee benefits.2. Financial Reporting:(a) Provide support to periodic financial closure activities, in the areas of:• Preparation of instructions and schedules as appropriate for the collection of information from field offices;• Coordinate activities related to inventory count, reconciliation to records and valuation, where these are performed inconjunction with external parties;• Review and analysis of financial information on inventory, employee benefits and other accounting areas as necessary;• Preparation of financial accounting adjustments;• Complete and appropriate disclosure of inventory, employee benefits in compliance with UNICEF Financial Regulationsand IPSAS.• Participate in the planning and completion of UNICEF's monthly, quarterly and year-end financial closures andcoordinate work with other units as required for IPSAS compliant financial reporting.• Support development and implementation of strong management reporting, financial analysis tools, key performanceindicators and control activities.• Perform complex analytical assignments and provide subject matter expertise on International Public Sector AccountingStandards (IPSAS) to support the proper treatment for complex business transactions.3. Regulatory Framework:(a) Working in collaboration with the Supply Division, develop new, review and maintain existing policy, procedure andstandard operating processes on financial reporting on inventory.(b) Ensure that the UNICEF policy on inventory remains compliant with the IPSAS.(c) Lead the preparation of policies and procedures applicable to the area of inventory, employee benefits and other areasas appropriate. Also lead in drafting guidelines, work processes and training materials.4. Global Inventory Count Strategy:(a) In conjunction with other key stakeholders, lead and complete the global inventory risk assessment, develop thestrategy for periodic counts of programme supplies and lead planning meetings for the deployment of the counts. Monitorand assess the performance and results of the counts.5. Special Projects:(a) Lead special projects as determined by the supervisor. Examples include but are not limited to the following: identifyand implement best practices in all areas of accounting and financial control, identify training needs and develop trainingactivities in all matters of accounting and financial reporting; standardize and streamline processes for efficiency andeffectiveness; investigate and develop technology solutions to enhance financial closure activities including data integrity,certifications, coordination of activities and maintenance and archiving of financial information, etc.6. Other assignments as communicated by the Accountant (Financial Reporting).Qualifications of Successful CandidateA valid professional certification (CA, CPA, etc.) from an internationally recognized, accredited chartered accountancy institution is required in conjunction with a relevant first-level (Bachelor's) university degree is required.- A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in Financial Reporting, Accounting, or a directly-related field(s) is required.- Previous hands on experience in preparation of financial statements and financial analysis is required.- Knowledge and experience of International Public Accounting Standard (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), particularly in the areas of inventory and employee benefits, is required although significant experience of another major GAAP in financial reporting environment can be considered in lieu of IPSAS/IFRS experience.- Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning system (i.e. SAP) is highly desirable.- Previous work experience within an international organization is highly desirable.- Previous hands on experience in a supervisory/managerial capacity is desirable.- Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.CompetenciesCore ValuesCommitmentDiversity and inclusionIntegrityCore competenciesCommunication [Level II]Working with People [Level II]Drive for Result [Level II]Functional CompetenciesLeading and Supervising [Level II]Formulating Strategies and Concepts (Level II)Analyzing (Level II)Applying Technical Expertise [Level III]Planning and Organizing [Level II]Deciding and Initiating Actions (II)Following Instructions and Procedures [Level II]To view our competency framework, please clickhere.
Remarks
This is an extension of the application deadline due to a minor amendment in the Vacancy Announcement. Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
HOW TO APPLY:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=499949
