Finance and Budget Specialist Grade: NO-B

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To ensure the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) country program of technical cooperation and the Organization's country presence provide adequate support to the national health development process and at the same time, enable the country to shape the sub-regional, regional and global health agenda. The PAHO/WHO Country Office is the basic organizational unit for the technical cooperation with the country, drawing on the PAHO/WHO resources from all levels and parts of the Organization.

Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the direct supervision of the Administrator, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Plan, recommend, and implement systems, norms and procedures for the administration of the finance and budget operations of the PAHO/WHO Representation, as well as for the control and evaluation of such processes; b) Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the budgetary and financial controls and procedures; provide information and recommendations to ensure maximum delivery of approved programs and full utilization of allocation within the limits of authority; coordinate the formulation of budget implementation reports of the Representation and advise management of specific budgetary and financial status reports; c) Provide supervision, direction and guidance to the staff of the accounting office in the Representation, verifying that all transactions in the areas of budget control, finance, and accounts are effected in accordance with the Organization's regulations, rules, directives, guidelines and procedures; d) Coordinate and supervise the implementation of established budgetary and financial policies and procedures; recommend new ones aimed at improving the operational aspects of the office; e) Coordinate and support the installation of budgetary and financial computer systems ensuring that operating procedures and security measures are observed; identify changes/modifications needed in software systems; f) Effect and/or supervise the local and non local obligation of regular funds and voluntary contributions; review the commitment documentation (letter of agreements, travel authorizations, collective travels, courses and seminars, etc.); certify the availability of funds; analyze and revise un-liquidated obligations to ensure that these remain valid and appropriate; g) Effect and/or supervise the preparation of accounting entries, the audit of invoices and other documents; verify their accuracy and the approval or certification of such documentation for payment, reconciliation of bank statements and petty cash; h) Assist in the proper application of the Organization's rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices to the Representation financial transactions; i) Coordinate the monthly financial reporting to Headquarters; prepare expenditure statements related to grants, trust funds and other extra-budgetary projects, as required by operational requirements established by grantors; initiate and coordinate the preparation of all correspondence and other reports required; j) Prepare allotments analysis to recommend allotment revisions and reconciliation's with Headquarters financial records; k) Maintain updated information on government and other grantors' budgetary and financial rules, policies and procedures in order to ensure their correct implementation and application; review financial and accounting reports to be presented to government and other grantors; l) Contact government and bank officials to reconcile the Representation financial records; clarify the status of extrabudgetary contributions; prepare necessary correspondence or documentation to recover funds, as required; m) Analyze availability and project local currency needs to cover local funding requirements; coordinate monthly cash requirements; ensure that vouchers for transfer to/from other Offices in Brazil are issued; n) 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; o) Plan and supervise the implementation of the Monthly Financial Quality Assurance and Control Checklist and the bi-weekly spot-check reviews in accordance with the Organization's financial regulations, rules, policies, and procedures for financial operations in the Country Offices; p) Oversee and ensure compliance with the year end financial closure operations, in accordance with established practices and procedures; q) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Essential: A bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration or related field from a recognized university. Desirable: A Certified Public Accountant certification would be an asset.

Skills: -- Intra-institutional Action: Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. -- Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge. Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead. -- Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals. -- Service Orientation: Corrects the client's problems promptly and without confrontation. Is helpful when client (internal or external clients) is going through a critical period. -- External Action: Deliverables are on time. Keeps establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial productive relations and partnerships with counterparts in other institutions and sectors. -- Administrative support for technical cooperation interventions: Utilizes a cross organizational perspective to provide administrative advice and support to the technical cooperation teams. Leads a solutions-based approach to resolving challenges. Employs an integrated approach to gain an understanding of the complex reality in which the Organization operates. -- Accountability: Accurately and objectively provides information, as required, on one's activities. Prepares accurate and objective reports on one's activities and partial/final results. Can account for each of the specific tasks of one's work. -- Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Does a complete analysis of the different components of the budget for the intervention plans. Participates in the preparation of budget alternatives for intervention plans, providing input for financial analysis, activity funding, and understanding the implications of the potential results to optimize resource use. - Theoretical and practical knowledge of the full range of accounting standards for public and private sectors; ability to apply accounting theory and principles to financial operations and to establish controls to ensure compliance to the standards. - Knowledge of national legislation on finance, labor, taxes and general matters. - Knowledge of current best practices in financial management, with specific emphasis on internal control environment and oversight practices. - Ability to analyze and prepare financial reports for management purposes to identify trends, and develop strategies for improved efficiency and controls, and cost containment. - Comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative principles, practices, processes and policies that guide and influence a complex organization. - Strategic planning and managerial skills, ability to interpret and analyze information; coordinate a variety of tasks; capacity to administer resources and exercise appropriate supervision and control - Ability to meet critical deadlines consistently, while completing tasks accurately; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously by working independently, as well as part of a team, in a fast paced environment; - Ability to prepare clear, concise and complete analysis, proposals, reports and other written materials; maintain accurate records and meeting critical deadlines; research and analyze complex problems, evaluating varied information and data, either statistical or narrative form. - Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization. IT Skills Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Working knowledge of automated systems and microcomputers particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project will be an asset.

Experience: Five years of professional experience in operation and maintenance of budget and finance control activities, including supervisory responsibilities.

Languages: Very good knowledge of Portuguese or English, with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an asset.

Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.

Annual salary: (Net of tax) R$ 121,348. at single rate

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All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.