Finance Assistant

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Global Banking Operations Office of Financial Risk Management Service (FRMS), Finance Division (FD), Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The incumbent reports to the Global Banking Operations officer under the guidance of the Chief of Section. The Global Banking Operations centrally oversees the banking relationships with financial institutions with which the Organization maintains bank accounts. This section is responsible for setting up banking operations and providing banking services globally, with a particular emphasis on banking requirements in peace-keeping operations, specific political missions, and other UN entities. The section also provides advice and guidance on Treasury policies and procedures. The section maintains a centralized records of Treasury bank accounts and bank account signatories, handles the opening and closing of UN bank accounts and changes to bank account signatories’ panels.

Responsibilities

Under the supervison of the Bank Officer of Global Banking Operations, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Bank Signatory Amendment, Account Opening and Closing Management: • Receipts and processing of requests related to the opening and closing of bank accounts and amendments to account signatories for Treasurer approval; • Identifies the requirements for each submitted request and ensure that all prerequisite documents are received; • Determines the eligibility of a bank signatory to the account, identifies conflicts in the functional role and adheres to the clearance protocol; • Performs vetting process for new bank signatories; * Initiates the request for issuance and withdrawal of the authority delegation of the bank signatory, monitor acceptance and effective date validity and act on reported conflict if it occurs; • Expedites the internal process of opening and closing bank accounts and changing the signatory panels; • Manages and oversees approximately 250 UN bank accounts records; • Prepares documentation in respect of amending signatory and verifier panel for all bank accounts; • Ensures all communication with the banks is successfully delivered and all requests are executed by the banks; Data Management: • Initiates Umoja Business Requirement document to add newly opened bank accounts in the ERP system as well as for the closure of accounts; • Initiates request for creation of General Ledger account for new House Bank, provide required XML worksheet and attachment. Similarly, the same is done to close confirmed closed account; • Serves as one of security administrator on online banking platforms and treasury platforms; • Liaises with 23 field offices and 170 banks to ensure the full reconciliation of approximately 400 bank signatory panels on the bank accounts; • Recommends umoja team to clean up inconsistencies to maintain uniformity in the information posted; • Ensures that the Treasury Bank Records and Umoja have the most current and accurate information on bank accounts and signatory panels; • Verifies that account signatories (approximately 785) have no Segregation of Duties’ violations and monitoring that valid delegation of authority is in place; • Confirms completeness, accuracy, and reliability of banking related information; Relationships with Clients and Banks: • Builds confidence with Clients and Banks through positive and transparent dialogue and relationship • Follows through on agreed measures • Ensures Clients are aware of Treasury policies and procedures • Increases level of Client satisfaction through in-depth understanding, investigations and research into queries raised * Acting as security administrator to proprietary banking electronic platforms • Assists and finalizes adhoc banking related projects and perform other duties as may be required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of treasury principles and practices and financial administration of resources. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Knowledge of bank-proprietary electronic systems or SWIFT and financial systems (SAP or similar). 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, banking, treasury or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience using financial systems (SAP or similar) is desirable. Experience in using bank-proprietary electronic systems or SWIFT is desirable. Experience in formatting SWIFT messages is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.