Accounting Assistant, Lebanon (G-5) Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT, G5

Department/ Office

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA

Duty Station

BEIRUT

Posting Period

22 July 2011-21 August 2011

Job Opening number

11-FIN-ESCWA-20390-R-BEIRUT

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Budget and Finance Section (BFS), Administrative Services Division (ASD), ESCWA. The Accounting Assistant reports directly to the Associate Finance Officer and is under the overall supervision of the Chief, BFS.

Responsibilities

The Accounting Assistant will be responsible for carrying out the following:

1 - Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges;

2 - Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions;

3 - Examines and records financial transactions of Offices-away-from-Headquarters and UNDP Service Clearing Account and prepares remittances for disbursement;

4 - Prepares bank reconciliation for all ESCWA bank accounts in local currency and US dollars;

5 - Records interest income and reconcile investment in cash pool accounts;

6 - Assists with the monitoring of unliquidated obligations, accounts receivables and payables, and other ledger accounts;

7 - Prepares worksheets and assists with the preparation of financial statements;

8 - Assists in the processing of payments to governments and vendors for goods and services which includes, amongst other things, calculating, inputting and checking payments for correctness and communicating discrepancies to supervisors;

9 - Assists in processing payments to staff members for their entitlements including salaries, claims and advances;

10 - Drafts/prepares memorandum and/or cables to various offices, divisions and overseas offices;

11 - Responds to queries from staff members and third parties;

12 - Performs other ad hoc tasks as may be required.

Competencies

Professionalism - Knowledge in the use and application of the UN financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices; ability to extract, interpret, and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; excellent computer knowledge and skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and IMIS).

Planning and organizing - Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma and additional qualifications, such as a degree, certificate(s), coursework or training in accounting or finance is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in finance, accounting or related administrative area, of which three years within the UN system.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Assessment Method

The shortlisted candidates will undergo a written assessment for Accounting Assistants and a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

This position is for local recruitment. External applicants will be considered only if no suitable internal candidates are found. Staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers as per established rules and procedures.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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.