Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Financial Reporting Unit, Financial Resources Management Section, in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Financial Reporting Unit.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Financial Reporting Unit and overall supervision of the Chief of Financial Resources Management Section, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Budget and Financial Reporting
• Acts as Certifying Officers on behalf of and in the absence of programme managers at offices outside headquarters or as finance approving officers.
• Undertakes reviews, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions and accounting transactions relating to general and trust fund, and special accounts for day to day and year-end closing exercises.
• Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization or approvals of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates, the outstanding commitments and the AR/AP/GL and Asset accounts in ERP system.
• Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions, performing daily, monthly and yearly accounting functions and financial reporting.
• Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies, commitments and delivery review, accounting treatments and analysis and budget consumption, IPSAS accounting policy and guidance.
• Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary or makes appropriate accounting adjustment as necessary.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds (c) appropriate accounting action/treatment in compliance with IPSAS.
• Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures for creation of grant master data and trust fund accounting transactions.
• Assists in the preparation of budget performance, financial year-end closing and submission.
• Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. and in preparation of accounting, financial reports and annexes after analyzing the underlying financial transactions are compliant with applicable accounting policy, rules and procedures.
• Monitors integrity of various financial databases, reviews and analyzes for discrepancies and coordinates with relevant teams for rectifications of technical issues.
• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued, reviews and analyzes for discrepancies in accounting transactions and coordinates with relevant teams for rectifications of technical issues.
• Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget and accounting reports and execution of accounting transactions.

Claims and Accounting
• Reviews, analyses and processes payments to third-parties, commercial entities, individuals and troop-contributing countries, with respect to settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment, stores, pay and allowances, and letters of assist claims and settlement of implementing partner advances based on substantiated reports, UNDP advances and settlement of service clearing reports etc.

Treasury and Bank Reconciliations
• Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds.
• Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
• Dispatches payment instructions and cheques to banks.
• Creates receipts and deposits for all incoming funds and applies the incoming deposits to account and performs or supervises the regular reconciliation of bank accounts.
• Notifies payees of status of payments.
• Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues for contributions, service delivery and other purposes.
• Identifies and annotates bank account movements. Monitors bank balances worldwide.
• Assists Cashier in cash management and investment issues, including cash flow forecasts.
• Liaises with banks worldwide regarding outstanding items and payment instructions.
• Investigates complaints on non-receipts and coordinates with all stakeholders such as global bank reconcilers, focal points in ESCAP and other duty station regarding the identification and applying the deposit of incoming funds.
• Monitors cheque stock and orders new stock as required.
• Reviews inter and intra-unit processes with aim to optimise workflow and customer orientation.
• Monitors/reviews methods used to remit payments.
• Assist in preparation of periodical reports: cash flow, contributions and financial reports, etc.
• Follows-up on audit recommendations.
• Follows-up on fraud cases.
• Assists cashier in the daily operation of the Cashier’s Unit responsible for the transmittal of payments worldwide.
• Files and archives as required.

General
• Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets and accounting operations ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with IPSAS and other United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial, accounting and budgetary matters.
• Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.

Managerial Competencies

Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

A technical or vocational certificate in Finance or Accounting is required.

Certificates in accounting issued by relevant bodies such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIPFA or any other relevant certificates is desirable.

Relevant training in IPSAS and ERP financial modules is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or related area is required.

Experience in the United Nations Common System’s or international organizations similar to UN Common System’s financial policies and processes is desirable.

Experience in working with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable.

Experience in working with Financial Accounting module of an ERP system, preferably SAP, is desirable.

Experience in providing trainings and guidance on accounting procedure and processes, which are in compliance with IPSAS is desirable.

Experience in implementing processes/system changes and improvements is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Applicants for GS and related positions may apply and be considered for locally recruited positions no matter where they are currently located (including the current serving staff members at other duty stations), provided they are locally available upon appointment. They must be authorized to work in the country regardless of where they live at the time of applying for the job opening.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Must have passed the United Nations Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away from Headquarters.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.