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Chief Finance Officer, P-5 United Nations

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 Feb 2012
DATE OF ISSUANCE: 16 Dec 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Field Missions Administered by DPKO
DUTY STATION: Multiple D/S
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 11-FIN-PMSS-425502-R-MULTIPLE D/S


Remuneration
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
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United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities
The Chief Finance Officer reports to the Chief of Administrative Services (CAS). Within delegated authority, the Chief, Finance Section is responsible for the following duties: Act as the principal advisor to CAS as well as other senior leadership of the Mission in finance operations, account keeping, and related matters. Provide authoritative advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audit and other queries to ensure adherence to the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars. Ensure full implementation of UN Financial Regulations and Rules and other instructions. Ensure proper financial stewardship and administration of the Mission. Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. Exercise delegated authority from the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, with respect to approving Mission’s disbursements and obligations and maintaining the accounts. Perform duties as Approving Officer and ensure that expenditure, obligations and disbursements are approved and released correctly and on time, in accordance with the certified documents establishing the obligations. Review and monitor status of obligations and expenditures for correctness of financial reporting. Review payments, advances and interoffice charges on the basis of proper supporting vouchers and other documents which indicate that the goods and services have been received. Ensure that the Mission has sufficient funding in its bank accounts and cash imprest to meet its obligations at all times. Verify and approve payments to be disbursed from the mission bank accounts. Act as the custodian of cash receipt vouchers, cheques and other payment systems established in the mission by the administration. Verify periodic cash counts from the Cashier’s imprest or other petty cash funds for submission in monthly reporting. Monitor timely end of month and year-end closure of accounts, reports and bank reconciliations. Review and approve monthly financial statements prior to submission to UNHQ. Coordinate audit responses and ensure full implementation of the accepted recommendations. Represent the Mission in cross-UN projects and initiatives to improve financial management in field operations, including development of capacity building programs, and the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System. Act as board member in property survey boards, local committee of contracts, or any other local boards as directed by the Chief Administrative Services. Manage the staff of the Section and prepare staff performance reports. Interview/evaluate candidates for job openings. Take responsibility for exercising delegated authority from the Assistant Secretary General, Controller for approving the mission’s disbursements and obligations, and maintaining the mission’s accounts. Efficiently and effectively manage the smooth functioning of a unit. Effectively guide and support staff in meeting their objectives and outputs. Effectively develop staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies
Professionalism - Expert knowledge and command of standards and procedures for the accounting, reporting and financial administration of resources; ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to budgetary matters. Expert knowledge of IPSAS or similar GAPP-based financial reporting standards. 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 peace operations. Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Leadership - Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. Judgement/Decision-making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.



QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in finance, management, public and business administration, accounting, economics or other finance related fields; A first level university degree in the above-mentioned fields with a combination of relevant academic qualifications (certification/training in finance) and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant or by a similar professional body is required.

Work Experience
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, public administration or accounting, including significant responsibilities in the management of financial resources and knowledge of internal control systems. Experience in a diverse international environment is desirable. Experience in applying IPSAS or a similar GAAP-based accounting standard to financial reporting is required.

Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English or French; knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage and sometimes a requirement. Fluency in the local language may be essential.

Other Skills
Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems is an advantage. Experience of shared services/service centres in the area of financial functions is desirable. Designation is required for “officers who may receive moneys, incur obligations and make payments on behalf of the Organization” (regulation 5.8c) of the UN Financial Regulations and Rules. The designation process consists of review of working experience, educational background from accredited universities/ institutes of higher learning and relevant professional qualifications to ensure that the candidates meet requirements to carry out significant financial duties.


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). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.

Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
  1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.

  2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.

  3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.

  4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.

    E-mail: staffing@un.org,

    Fax: 1-212-963-2800

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.