Quality Assurance/Assets Accountant, Addis Ababa 149 views0 applications

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Accounts Unit, Finance Section, Division of Administration, of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and is mainly focused on assuring quality standards in financial and assets data management, accounting and financial analysis. The Quality Assurance/ Assets Accountant reports to the Chief of Section . The incumbent directly supervises a team of 3 staff and guides the work of all finance and assets management staff involved in data posting in the Umoja/SAP ERP, which has been rolled out since November 2015. The incumbent is expected to be a team leader in assuring proper business processes and workflows and quality standards are adhered to.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is mandated to promote the economic and social development of its Member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. To find out more about UNECA, please go to www.uneca.org

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Quality Assurance/ Assets Accountant will have following duties and responsibilities:

Asset Management

• Oversees the proper maintenance of the fixed asset register by recording information related to fixed assets and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of such information. Information includes but is not limited to: data relating to the stewardship and control of fixed assets; costs related to the acquisition and disposal (including transfers and retirement) of fixed assets; expenditures related to fixed assets; depreciation charges; impairment charges.
• Undertakes analysis for fixed assets on a regular basis and oversees the proper maintenance of financial records in Umoja/SAP ERP accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Policy Framework and related UN IPSAS policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with property management team focal points to ensure that property values are complete, accurate and up to date.
• Coordinates with property management teams to investigate the potential obsolescence of fixed assets and implements and monitors the annual useful life review process.
• Follow up of potential impairment of fixed assets and implements and monitors the annual impairment review process and the resulting adjustments in accounting entries.
• Ensures and liaises with divisions to obtain data on asset management, receiving and stock management, physical inventories and data reconciliations.
• Ensures proper systems are in place for the accurate tracking of existing fixed assets and manages the outsourced periodic physical verification review process.
• Review the annual physical verification report for existence and completeness of PP&E assets and carry out any reported adjustments including impairment and write offs.
• Assist in the accurate compilation of asset under construction (AUC) project costs into fixed asset accounts, and close out those accounts once the related AUC has been completed.
• Implements and maintains the fixed asset accounting framework at UNECA in line with the framework established by Headquarters in New York and established detailed in updated standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process workflows, by engaging with other stakeholders to ensure proper and efficient accounting transactions and reports; Ensuring compliance with UN Headquarters policy relating to fixed assets; developing and maintaining fixed asset accounting procedures, workflows and forms (where needed) for the recording of fixed assets procedures in accordance with Headquarters guidelines; Reviewing, documenting and improving existing guidelines and instructions for all fixed asset related processes.
• Provides guidance in relation to IPSAS accounting standards and makes appropriate recommendations to Finance and/ or Management for changes in accounting policy.
• Provides guidance to stakeholder offices and leads, guides, trains and supervises a dedicated team of support staff in the function.
• Performs other duties as required, as indicated by the Chief of Finance or Director of Administration.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct quality check of financial transactions to ensure compliance with IPSAS, Finance policies and procedures are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN.
• Analyze the Office’s existing compliance policies and procedures and recommends measures for efficiency improvement and effectiveness of politics and procedures.
• Responsible for all assurance work in ensuring quality of transactions, analyzing cause and effect of policy changes to the operations of the Finance Section and provides advice on the feasibility of their implementation.
• Establish and/or review systems and procedures for compliance with UN financial rules and regulations and prepares reports and recommendations.
• Provide oversight on ensuring timely preparation and submission of financial transactions and accounting reports and statements to contribute to Volume I of the UNHQ Financial Statements and reports to the GA.
• Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner.
• Approves/Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments.
• Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and up to date internal control systems are functioning, and that all relevant records are maintained.
• Conduct quality checks of the General Trust Fund, and other Funds managed by ECA, in accordance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations (UNFRR), policies and procedures and instructions from Accounts Division, OPPBA, and UNHQ.
• Assists, prepares or consolidates timely financial statements for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations on time.
• Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority
• Provides clients with authoritative interpretation of financial and policy requirements for handling transactions (e.g. use of miscellaneous obligations, proper project closure, petty cash etc.)
• Monitors, analyses, and approves transactions for entry into the accounting system (Umoja/SAP).
• Prepares standard and ad-hoc reports.
• Performs other duties as required as indicated by the Chief of Finance or Director of Administration.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and accounting and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis; Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations; 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field (Master’s degree or equivalent) or certified public accountant qualification (or equivalent) from a recognized institution is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related finance area with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance and budget is required. Working experience in audit and managing fixed asset is essential. Experience and Knowledge of an ERP system, preferably SAP, is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French is required. Knowledge of the other language is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The post advertised will be for a period of 6 months until the 30 June 2019. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 October 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to ‘internal candidates,’ who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as ‘retirement.’ Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term ‘sexual exploitation’ means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term ‘sexual abuse’ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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