Assistant (Accounts Receivable, Grants and Assets)

Contract

This is a G-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 4 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-4 contracts.

.PURPOSE OF POSITION

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France.

The Finance Office is a unit within the Budget and Finance Office (BFO), Section of Support to Research (SSR), responsible for providing supports to various programmes and activities of IARC in respect of financial services such as payments, payroll, travel advance/reimbursements, etc. and managing IARC accounts in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

In this context, the incumbent provides efficient and effective processing of transactions related to payments, revenue recognition, inventory and property plant and equipment (PP&E) management, and financial closure of grants and projects.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Process payments for Collaborative Research Agreements (CRA), Agreements for Performance of Work (APW), consultant contracts and other contractual agreements (e.g. DTA, MTA):
   • Prepare and posts payments of collaborative research; check financial reports of CRAs and bring to supervisor's attention problematic cases.
   • Prepare and post payments to be made to partners in the consortium agreements where IARC is a Coordinator.
   • Prepare and post payments of APW, consultant and other contractual agreements.
2. Process transactions related to revenue recognition, management of inventory and Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E) in accordance to IPSAS:
   • Record and reconcile accounts receivable and revenue from Participating States based on the budget approved by the Governing Council.
   • Record and reconcile accounts receivable and revenue from donors (designated voluntary contributions) based on signed donor agreements and in coordination with Resource Mobilization and Management Office (RMO).
   • Monitor account receivable aging and prepare periodic reports of aging accounts receivable. Follow-up with concerned units within BFO and scientific units.
   • Assist in posting and reconciliation of accounting entries related to inventory management (recognition, sales, disposals, etc.), PP&E depreciation, and sale of assets.
3. Support the final financial closure of grants and projects:
   • Process refunds to donors, write-offs, and other accounting related to the final closure of grants and projects.
   • Maintain central repository for all write-off cases.
4. Other duties:
   • Prepare reports as requested by supervisor including but not limited to the following: PP&E lapsing schedule and inventory quantity/cost report, etc.
   • Monitor, reconcile, liquidate and clear vendor/customer/GL accounts under area of responsibility e.g. APW & CRA pre-payments, donor account receivable relating to refund and write-off, inventory accounts and PP&E.
   • Back stop for colleagues within Finance as necessary to ensure smooth performance of activities; answer queries relating to assigned tasks and perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

COVID-19 MEASURES

Due to the evolving situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and depending on work requirements, this position may be partly occupied remotely, from the home of the candidate selected in the region Lyon, according to the teleworking clause for force majeure currently in force as part of the IARC teleworking policy during this pandemic period.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results
• Communication
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Technical expertise

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Graduation from secondary school or equivalent complemented by subsequent training in accounting and finance at BTS level plus training in use of office software and other office modern technologies.

Desirable: Bachelor degree in accounting or equivalent of DCG. Knowledge in IPSAS or IFRS. A professional designation in Accounting such as Chartered Accountant (CA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or "Expert-Comptable" qualification.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least three years of professional accounting experience. Experience of working with an ERP is essential, preferably with SAP.

Desirable: Experience in an international organization, national institution or multi-nation business would be an asset.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Very good knowledge of French or English, with good working knowledge of the other language

Desirable: Ability to provide unofficial translation of a routine nature would be an asset.

SKILLS

• Familiarity with relevant Office software (Word, Excel).
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in multicultural environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to learn and apply IARC/WHO rules and established procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while keeping attention to accuracy.

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 3,196 per month, and is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.

Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons residing in the local commuting area of Lyon.
• We only accept applications submitted via our online recruitment tool (applications for this position should be filled out in English and include a cover letter in English). Application profiles should include the details of all work experiences to date (including paid internships).
• 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 and/or presentation may be used as a form of screening.
• 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. IARC/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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to IARC/WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• For information on IARC’S operations please visit: www.iarc.fr
• IARC/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• IARC/WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women are encouraged.