Finance Officer, Entebbe, Uganda

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Posting Title: FINANCE OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: FINANCE OFFICER

Department/ Office: Regional Service Centre at Entebbe

Duty Station: ENTEBBE

Posting Period: 2 February 2015-17 February 2015

Job Opening number: 15-FIN-RSCE-40415-F-ENTEBBE (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

This 'Recruit from Roster' job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Financial Reporting Service Line of the United Nations Regional Service Centre, Entebbe (UN RSCE), and the incumbent reports to the Chief, Financial Reporting.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Finance Officer is responsible for the following duties:

Provide advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars;
Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained;
Manage a unit within Finance Section, encompassing several funding sources, large volume of transactions, and extensive dispersed activities;
Monitor that proposed obligations or disbursements for services, supplies and equipment, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments;
Perform duties as Approving Officer and ensure that expenditure, obligations and disbursement are approved and released correctly and in a timely fashion;
Analyze and review monthly financial statements prior to submission to UN Headquarters (UNHQ) to ensure correctness and completeness of the financial statements;
Review and verify that bank reconciliations are completed on a monthly basis for all bank accounts;
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;
Prepare monthly cash projections. Verify periodic cash counts from the Cashier's imprest or other petty cash funds for submission in monthly reporting;
Prepare responses to internal/external audit observations;
Produce major/complex, and ad hoc financial reports for management purposes;
Take initiative to improve accounting processes and controls.
Participate in the implementation of the 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 Financial Reporting;
Manage the staff under his/her supervision and evaluate and monitor their performance;
Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism

Effectiveness in implementing accounting policies, procedures and new programs;
ability to provide seasoned effective specialized advice in a broad range of financial, areas to Head of Office/Mission, and to Headquarters and senior mission staff; ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports or rationale with respect to key logistic and administrative decisions;
strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
Shows pride in work and 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.
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work

Accountability

Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility of 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.

Judgment / 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
makes tough decisions when necessary.

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.

Education

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

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in Accounting and Financial reporting, finance, , including significant responsibilities in the management of financial resources and reporting thereof. Knowledge of internal control systems is required.
Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, specifically Umoja (SAP) is desirable.
Experience in applying International Accounting Standards such as IPSAS, IFRS or similar accruals based accounting standards to financial reporting is also desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations.
For the position advertised, Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.

United Nations Considerations

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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.

More jobs tagged:

Accounting Standards;

Effectiveness;

Enterprise Resource Planning;

Finance officer;

Financial Regulations;

Financial Resources;

Financial Statements;

Gender perspective;

Human Resources;

Human Rights;

Public Sector;