Accounting Assistant II

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Department of Financial Resources Management (FRM) oversees the financial transactions of the Organization by establishing its financial regulations and rules, as well as the accounting policies and procedures; processes the disbursements of funds; prepares the financial statements of the Organization including the reporting of regular funds and extra-budgetary funds; monitors the inflow of funding and utilization of these resources; is responsible for investments and banking, financial analysis, the monitoring of the cost centers’ financial administration; payroll, pension, taxes, Staff Health Insurance, and the processes and systems involved with FRM’s area of responsibility.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Advisor, Staff Benefits (FRM/ST), and the direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, Staff Health Insurance (FRM/SHI), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Perform a full range of financial transactions within the Payroll, Benefits and Commercial Payments Unit (FRM/PP), which includes payroll, pension, taxes, staff health insurance, staff benefits and commercial payments; process, review, amend, monitor financial/budgetary transactions in assigned business processes in accordance with established policy, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids and agreements; record and validate information and financial data;
2. Calculate and record receipts, collections and expenses, such as payments to vendors, salaries through the payroll system, or entitlements and claims according to established guidelines and procedures; initiate, process, review transactions and supporting documentation for accuracy;
3. Prepare, analyze, review, and maintain reconciliations up-to-date for assigned accounts, recording journal entries, as needed, applying appropriate accounting transaction components;
4. Provide information to staff, vendors and customers in incumbent’s area of specialization; draft routine correspondence; file, distribute, and organize documents; monitor the team mailbox and ensure timely response to incoming messages; prepare responses to the queries received through Service Request System (SRS);
5. Prepare reports and summaries for supervisors and managers;
6. Research, analyze and resolve accounting problems in consultation with supervisors, finance specialists, technical units, and country offices, as needed;
7. Participate in periodic testing of system updates and configuration changes;
8. Assist in the training of other staff in the team, and cover assignments in the absence of team members, as required;
9. Assist in the creation and updating of Job Aids;
10. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential:Certificate of completion of High school.

Desirable: Specialized training at the college, university or business school level with emphasis on accounting and/or finance would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Five years of experience in accounting and/or finance work, or three years of experience in accounting and/or finance work, and one year of specialized training at the college/university level towards a declared major/minor in the area of accounting and/or finance.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Communication: Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.
• Knowing and managing yourself: Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.
• Moving forward in a changing environment: Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, with the ability to analyze financial and personnel data, apply rules and regulations and determine required accounting calculations and transactions.
• Knowledge of financial operations and systems; proficiency in the use of automated financial accounting systems.
• Ability to write/originate routine and non-routine correspondence and reports in English and Spanish.
• Skills in planning, organizing, evaluating, problem-solving and decision-making of routine office management processes.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and carry out financial/accounting processes, such as: monitoring budget and accounting activities, developing operational standards and procedures manuals, determining priorities, adjusting or identifying new internal procedures, etc.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Experience with complex ERP systems particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills/knowledge of report writing or other data management tools would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary****: (Net of taxes)

US$42,610.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan, and health insurance scheme.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Administrative/support positions in Washington, D.C. are open to Washington, D.C. metropolitan area residents only. Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or hold a Permanent Resident Alien card (Green Card).

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.