Finance Specialist Grade: NO-A

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/13/FT20 Title: Finance Specialist Grade: NO-A Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years, first year probationary period	Date: 16 January 2013 Application Deadline: 16 February 2013 (17 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Pan American Food-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : PANAFTOSA/Veterinary Public Health Program is promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities to reduce social and economic burden of zoonotic and food-borne diseases, and animal diseases with high consequences to food security and nutrition (e.g. Foot and Mouth Disease), focusing on disease surveillance, prevention and control, in ways that are technically sound and appropriate for the culture and society and strive to achieve sustainable impact through strengthened country capacity and effective inter-country collaboration; and to strengthen the coverage and quality of the health and vital statistics in the Region as well as the national capacity to monitor their health situation.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Center Director, Pan American Food-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), and the direct supervision of the Center's Administrator, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Coordinate the administrative activities of the Team, verifying that all regular and extra-budgetary funded transactions in the areas of budget control, finance, and accounts are effected in accordance with established rules, regulations, directions and procedures; provide supervision, direction and guidance to assigned staff; 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 allocated resources within the limits of authority; coordinate the formulation of budget implementation reports of the Center and advise management on specific budgetary and financial status reports; c) Oversee the process of the compilation and preparation of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the semiannual program of work (PTS); assist project staff in the preparation of program and budget estimates for regular and extra budgetary sources; d) Assist in the installation of budgetary and financial systems; ensure that operation procedures and security measures are observed, identifying changes/modifications as needed; e) Effect and/or supervise the obligation of funds, review the commitment documentation (service contract, travel authorizations, purchase orders and authorizations, etc.); certify the availability of funds; analyze and revise un-liquidated obligations to ensure that these remain valid and appropriate; f) Effect and/or supervise the preparation of accounting entries, the audit of invoices and other documents; verify accuracy and the approval or certification of such documentation for payment and reconciliation of bank statements; g) Assist in the proper application of the Organization's financial staff rules, regulation, policies, procedures and practices related to Center's financial transactions; h) Verify the issuance of invoices for the sale of vaccines and other materials; follow up on the collection of payments; i) Coordinate monthly financial reporting to Headquarters; prepare expenditure statements related to grants, trust funds and other extra budgetary projects, as required by operational procedures established by grantors; j) Prepare allotments analysis; recommend allotment revisions and reconciliation's with Headquarters 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; l) Contact government and bank officials to reconcile the Center's records; clarify the status of extra-budgetary contributions; prepare necessary correspondence or documentation to recover money owed to the Center; m) Prepare financial and accounting reports to government and other grantors; n) Analyze availability and projecting local currency needs to cover local funding requirements; coordinate daily cash requirements, ensuring that vouchers for transfer to/from other PAHO offices in Brazil are issued; o) Serve as an active signatory of the Center's bank accounts and/or supervising deposits and/or transfers to bank accounts; p) Manage the banking transactions in local currency, including ensuring that there a system in place for replenishment of checks and electronic banking procedures and policies, signatory panels for the local and US bank accounts. q) Supervise and ensure the accuracy of the on-line monthly payroll; r) Ensure that the year end closure procedures are followed, in accordance with established practices and procedures. s) Provide guidance and monitoring of 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. t) Initiate and coordinate the preparation of correspondences and reports related to the areas of responsibility; u) Perform other related duties, as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration with an emphasis on accounting theory and applications from a recognized university.
Skills:  Key Behavioral Competencies 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: Objectively analyzes situations and, based on evidence and knowledge, suggests actions to improve implementation. Bases one's actions on available information, applies knowledge acquired from experience. Prioritizes the information according to one's needs or the Organization's. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations between one to six months 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. 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. 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. Information Management: Verifies that relevant information is obtained, processed, selected, and disseminated in area of work. Acquires the training to utilize technologies for processing information relative to the area of work in a logical and organized manner, which facilitates the dissemination of information, resulting in information that is consistent, valid and accurate. Keeps abreast of latest technologies for processing the information relevant to the area of work, and weighs its advantages/disadvantages. 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. Technical Expertise - Sound knowledge of the full range of accounting standards for public and private sectors. Up to date knowledge regarding national legislation on labor, taxes and general financial matters. - Ability to apply accounting theory and principles to financial operations and to establish controls to ensure the correct application of the accounting theory and principles. - Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and outside the Organization to support the banking and financial operations. - 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. - Ability to work independently and to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and produce results under pressure. - Ability to supervise staff, including evaluating the accuracy of the work of others and coordinate their efforts to achieve deadlines. - Strong organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write, speak, and present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner. IT Skills Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of automated systems and microcomputers particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations would be an asset.
Experience: Essential: Three years of professional experience in budget and finance including supervisory responsibilities in a medium size organization.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Portuguese with a working knowledge of English.
Additional Information: ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST. NATIONAL OFFICER POSITIONS IN BRAZIL ARE OPEN TO RESIDENTS ONLY. CANDIDATES MUST HOLD A PERMANENT LOCAL WORKING VISA (CITIZENSHIP OR PERMANENT RESIDENT). CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW WILL BE HELD FOR THIS POST. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) R$ 103,670.00 at single rate
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
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.