Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant - Accounts & Finance Services

at  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2024-11-01
Deadline for Applications
November 5, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant processes financial transactions and provides technical support to the Field with the processing of financial transactions, and monitors compliance with applicable financial rules and regulations. The incumbent therefore keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels, including Country/Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ divisions.
The Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant is normally supervised by a more senior colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance.
The duties of the Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant may have different focus depending on the specific area of responsibility, including the followings.
General Ledger (GL) coordinates the drafting of the annual account closing instructions, complies with annual financial statements, and coordinates audit for the areas under its responsibility.
Accounts Payable (AP) processes AP vouchers and central payments for UNHCR, provides related technical support to the Field and coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AP and Expenses and handles requests related to the appropriate segregation of duties through the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP).
Accounts Receivable and Donor Reporting (ARDR) processes incoming deposits and provides related technical support to the Field, accounts for revenue adjustments, raises bills for miscellaneous income, and coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AR and Revenue, compiles financial reports to UNHCR’s donors, which requires active liaison with colleagues from the Division of External Relations (DER) and the respective Field Offices.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Process assigned transactions and maintain financial records accurately, completely and duly for accounts for which responsibility is assigned.
• Provide technical support to Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ divisions, and provide answers and guidelines to accounting and finance related matters.
• Monitor compliance by users in different entities with the relevant financial rules, regulations and procedures. Bring issues related to non-compliance to the attention of supervisors.
• Escalate to supervisors any indication of breach in the internal control system, including suspected fraud.
• Prepare ad-hoc and recurring reports, analyses and reconciliations on assigned accounts/areas of responsibility. Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures. Monitor and follow-up on open items, variances, errors and other issues identified.
• Liaise with relevant counterparts to obtain information and verify data on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
• Carry out month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Gather information and documentation requested by auditors.
• Identify possibilities for improving processes, and recommend ways to improve cooperation between key stakeholders at different geographic locations. Implement agreed improvements.
• Actively participate in the testing related to the implementation of new systems and tools.
• Update standard operating procedures, guidance notes and training materials.
• If requested, guide, support and supervise assigned team members.
• Brief and assist new team members on requirements relating to accounts and finance.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Business Administration; Finance;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience with ERP financial modules (PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).
Desirable
Experience with MSRP Finance applications. Experience with accrual accounting (IPSAS, IFRS or similar). Experience with UN/UNHCR financial rules, regulations and procedures.

Functional Skills

• IT-Computer Literacy
• IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
• FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
• FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent of this post will be assisting Senior Policy Advisor and the Finance Policy Coordination Officer in the development of corporate level policies and procedures concerning financial, accounting and administrative management, as well as contributing to maintaining a robust internal control framework in the organization and providing pertinent advice to colleagues in the field with respect to the application of the established policies.
The desired candidate should demonstrate skills, competencies and experience related to financial management or management of risk or development of internal control frameworks, as well as excellent communication skills.

The following elements are essential for the profile:

• Excellent drafting skills and verbal communication in English.
• Experience in contributing to drafting guidance for application at corporate level in the areas of financial or administrative management;
• Good analytical skills and experience in conducting research on best practices in various areas;
• Experience in preparing financial reports, reviewing and analysing large volumes of data.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle.
• Knowledge of international standards of accounting (IFRS or IPSAS);
• Good understanding of innovative technologies and business process automation.
• A recognized post-graduate professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CMA/CPA or equivalent) is an advantage.

Additional information:
Candidates must be legally present in Hungary at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
NOTE: A completed and relevant minimum first level university degree (equivalent to BA or higher) shall count in full (100%) towards the required years of work experience. Priority will be given to eligible applicants meeting the full requirements
Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
G5 - Salary range: NET 610,475 HUF - NET 715,099 HUF.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
English
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
.
Nature of Position:
The Senior Finance and Accounting Assistant reports to the Senior Policy Advisor (Finance) within the Policy and Audit Coordination Section (PACS) of the Global Finance Services (GFS) within the Division of Financial and Administrative Management.
DFAM is responsible to maintain UNHCR’s financial integrity and a robust internal control system through providing financial policies, instructions and guidance that are clear, concise and tailored to be applied in a decentralized and field-oriented environment, as well as the tools to effectively implement them. Within DFAM/GFS, PACS contributes to the development of corporate level policies and strategies concerning financial, accounting and administrative management, as well as the overall internal control framework. PACS also provides advice and guidance to UNHCR offices worldwide on financial and administrative policy-related matters and takes actions necessary to maintain an adequate knowledge management system that can provide the colleagues in the field and at HQ with the elements needed to make informed decisions in their daily management of operations.
Within PACS, this position reports to the Senior Policy Adviser (Finance) and plays a support role in the process of drafting financial and administrative policies of UNHCR and analyzing various aspects of the internal control framework. The position requires a good level of understanding of UN and/or UNHCR financial regulations, rules, policies and procedures, complemented by an understanding of internal control systems, analytical skills and good verbal and written communication skills that can be effectively applied in collaborating with people within and outside UNHCR. The incumbent will be actively involved in collecting financial, administrative and internal control related data from the field, Bureaus and Divisions, and conducting preliminary analysis of such data in the context of the annual preparation of the Statement of Internal Control. Under the supervision of the Senior Policy Advisor (Finance) or the Senior Policy Coordinator Officer, the position will also support in the review of funding agreements referred to DFAM for clearance, in close collaboration with the Division of External Relations (DER) and the Legal Affairs Section (LAS).
He/she will also be a key support to the PACS team in maintaining a knowledge management system and facilitating broad dissemination of policy and guidance related information across the organisation.
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
Certifications
Accounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearanc

• Process assigned transactions and maintain financial records accurately, completely and duly for accounts for which responsibility is assigned.
• Provide technical support to Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ divisions, and provide answers and guidelines to accounting and finance related matters.
• Monitor compliance by users in different entities with the relevant financial rules, regulations and procedures. Bring issues related to non-compliance to the attention of supervisors.
• Escalate to supervisors any indication of breach in the internal control system, including suspected fraud.
• Prepare ad-hoc and recurring reports, analyses and reconciliations on assigned accounts/areas of responsibility. Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures. Monitor and follow-up on open items, variances, errors and other issues identified.
• Liaise with relevant counterparts to obtain information and verify data on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
• Carry out month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Gather information and documentation requested by auditors.
• Identify possibilities for improving processes, and recommend ways to improve cooperation between key stakeholders at different geographic locations. Implement agreed improvements.
• Actively participate in the testing related to the implementation of new systems and tools.
• Update standard operating procedures, guidance notes and training materials.
• If requested, guide, support and supervise assigned team members.
• Brief and assist new team members on requirements relating to accounts and finance.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required