Finance Assistant

Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/14/FT17 Title: Finance Assistant (position no 358077) Grade: G5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years- Post of limited duration	Date: 16 January 2014 Application Deadline: 6 February 2014 (12 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Tunis, Tunisia   Organization unit: EMCO Countries (EM_ACO) / EM_TUN WHO Representative's Office, Tunisia (EM_TUN)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State's health and development agendas, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams. Purpose of the Position: Provide support to the country office, as related to the preparation and monitoring of budget estimates, financial transactions, e-imprest, journalization, and liquidation of payments and facilitate the timely transfer of funds for Programme activities. Provide assistance to national and international staff and non-staff on all issues related to financial matters. Organizational context Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader (Administration) and the general guidance of WHO representative, the incumbent performs day-to-day routine tasks independently. Complex issues or exceptions from established procedures are discussed and resolved with supervisor. Some judgment and interpretation are involved in determining appropriate methods for processing of the various accounting tasks and in adapting established practices to assigned work. Complete work is reviewed by supervisor (s) for accuracy, adherence to the established procedures and deadlines.
Description of duties: The incumbent will perform the following duties: 1. Administer the E-Imprest system. Ensure proper implementation of financial procedures, systems and internal controls according to Global Management System (GSM) instructions and WHO rules. Select and enter data from variety of documents, ensure accuracy in calculations and attach necessary supporting invoices or receipts of payments and payment authorizations. 2. Record all expenses and receipts in the e-imprest and reflect it in the GSM in a timely manner. Monitor the unposted items in the cash book and take necessary steps to clear them in coordination with Global Service Center (GSC). 3. Initiate, verify and process financial transactions and payments for WRO office and sub- offices related to staff and non staff costs, purchase orders, local purchases, etc., based on authorizations received from EMRO and GSC. Process e-Imprest transactions and monitor Imprest GL's including processing and reviewing of purchase orders for services - Imprest, DFC's, GES and other activities with the aim to ensure accuracy of financial data, adequacy of supporting documents and maintenance of proper accounting records. 4. Reconcile country office cash books and justify any difference in reconciliation; prepare cash counts to reconcile with the cashbooks on a monthly basis. 5. Follow up on the transfer of program funds and initiate award budgeting in GSM work plans. Monitor awards expiry dates, alert responsible staff, and initiate action for expenditure batches. Review and follow up on encumbrances and unapplied receivable balances, process and monitor revisions of amounts vis-à-vis award distribution by SO/OWER. 6. Compare cash books with bank statements to compute gain and loss in exchange rate on monthly basis and liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange rates. Prepare financial tables, special reports and other ad-hoc reports. Initiate correspondence and answer queries related to area of work. 7. Replace and assist other colleagues in the team and perform other related financial and administrative duties as required Achievement Activities Include: - Clean statement of account are submitted to Budget and Finance Office, EMRO, through maintaining internal expenditure control systems which ensures completeness of required documentation/approvals/clearances. - Funding/budgeting problems are identified and reported, discrepancies are reported to project managers and alternatives are proposed to ensure alignment and compliance with business rules and financial practices. - Financial records and monitoring systems are maintained to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions. Updated and well maintained financial filing systems and records (electronic and hard copies).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Completion of secondary education; training in business administration/commerce and or technical courses in a field related to the work performed. Desirable: Bachelor degree in business administration, commerce, accounting, social sciences or other related field is an asset.
Skills:  Competencies: 1) Producing results. 2) Fostering integration and team work. 3) Communicating in a credible and effective way. Functional Skills and Knowledge: - Sound knowledge of the organization's policies and regulations in general, and in particular, regarding project activities and financial procedures. - Very good organizational skills. - Good knowledge of banking regulations and local laws. - Good analytical and effective communication skills. IT skills: - Good knowledge of Microsoft applications. - Knowledge of ERP/Oracle applications is an asset
Experience: Essential: At least five years of related experience in accounting and/or administrative work.
Languages: Very good knowledge of French, Arabic and working knowledge of English.
Additional Information: This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons residing within the local commuting area. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for interviews and tests, if applicable. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. Only applications received online via the e-recruitment system will be considered.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) Dinars 19533 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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.