FINANCE OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions.

Under the strategic guidance of the Department of Operational Support (DOS), the Kuwait Joint Support Office provides efficient and client-oriented services with the goal of moving transactional, non-location dependent administrative functions from its client entities. These include transactional elements of human resources, finance, travel and payroll. This position is located in the Kuwait Joint Support Office (KJSO), duty station Kuwait. The Finance Officer/Chief of Cashiers Unit will report to the Chief Finance Officer, KJSO.

Responsibilities Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer/Chief Cashiers Unit will carry out the following duties:

Treasury/Cashier: - Oversees the daily operations of the Cashiers’ Unit including the transmittal of payments. - Approves banking details for House Banks under the purview of KJSO. Conducts on-going review of existing payment instructions, guidelines and practices in coordination with UNHQ Cashier/Treasury. - Manages payment batches and disbursements of all KJSO client missions and other UN entities effected through KJSO House Banks. - Manages the batching and release of monthly payroll transfers in coordination with UNHQ Treasury and mission Cashiers. - Reviews incoming payment instructions and ensures the sources of funds are properly tracked and recorded. - Assists the CFO in cash management, including preparing cash flow forecasts for all House Banks. - Monitors the dispatch of payment instructions and cheques to banks. Verifies receipts and deposit slips for all incoming funds. Respond to queries on payment and deposit-related issues. Identifies and annotates bank account movements. - Monitors inventory of cheque books and cash receipt vouchers and requests for new stock as required. Ensures that cash in the vault are accounted for on a daily basis. - Monitors the creation and update of banking details of staff members, vendors and contractors in ERP and ensures accuracy. - Implement changes required to payment instructions in light of new House Bank regulations. - Ensure the Panel of Bank Signatories is updated regularly Accounts: - Reviews and verifies the closing of monthly accounts and preparation of financial reports for submission to UNHQ. - Verifies the accuracy of data reported in the financial statements. - Maintains internal control procedures to ensure financial transactions are processed and posted correctly. - Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions. - Reviews and reconciles open items and ensures proper follow-up and clearance. - Reviews and verifies bank reconciliations on a monthly basis. - Examines and verifies accuracy and validity of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities in the book of records. - Examines the validity of requests for increases in petty cash levels; approves disbursement vouchers to replenish petty cash accounts. - Supervises and mentors General Service or Field Service staff as required. - Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.

Vendors/payments: - Reviews and approves various vouchers and accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, payment of staff entitlements, final payments, travel claims, vendors invoices, payments to UN agencies, field missions, etc. by ensuring adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, guidelines or practices. - Liaises with mission stakeholders on matters pertaining to vendors’ payments and third-party claims. - Provides required support for management of accounts payable

General: - Maintains up-to-date records of documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. - Provides guidance and training (including preparation of training materials) to junior staff with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems such as UMOJA. - Drafts/verifies memoranda and/or cables relevant to financial and budget matters to various offices, departments and missions. - Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISIM: Knowledge of international banking and treasury functions with ability to analyze and manage the full range of finance, accounting, treasury and cashier functions. Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work processes and anticipate next steps showing skills and ability to analyze and interpret financial data. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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

CLEINT 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. Technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, budget or related fields is required.

Work Experience - At least 10 years of progressive experience within the United Nations system or in the private sector at the national or international level in accounting, budgeting or financial management is required. A first-level university degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field with qualifying 5 years of experience may be equivalent to high school and 10 years relevant experience.

• Extensive experience in treasury, banking and cashier services in a United Nations operation or similar international organization or non-governmental organization is required.

• At least three (3) years of experience in ERP systems (e.g. SAP/Umoja or equivalent) pertaining to Payment Run, SWIFT and banking-proprietary systems is required.

  Hands-on experience in resolving cashier related issues is required.

  Hands-on experience in global payment regulation, global sanctions and watchlist screening is desirable.

  At least two years (2) of proven experience in managing operations of a Cashier's Office in peacekeeping or shared service center environment is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

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

  Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.