Finance Technician I

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.

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 implementing its financial regulations and rules, as well as accounting policies and procedures; monitors the inflow of funding and utilization of resources; processes the disbursements of funds; prepares the Organization's financial statements including the reporting of regular funds and voluntary contributions; manages investments, and banking; conducts financial analysis; monitors the financial administration of PWRs; manages implementation of staff health insurance, the settlement of national taxes, and the processes and systems within FRM's area of responsibility.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Advisor, Staff Benefits Management (FRM) 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:

Perform a wide range of financial transactions within the Staff Health Insurance Unit; process, review, amend and monitor financial 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;

Process and audit receipts, collections and payments to healthcare providers, active or retired staff: process entitlements, claims, etc. according to established procedures. Scrutinize source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity; audit complex health insurance claims to ensure that they meet the established criteria for eligibility, supporting documentation, level of charges, ensuring proper application of insurance coordination standards, ensuring administrative approvals are completed and recorded in HIIS; prepare correspondence to clarify discrepancies; clear claims for settlement; analyze and monitor costs, contributions, journal sources and expense items;

Analyze and reconcile assigned ledger accounts, funds, maintain bank accounts assigned and ensure necessary corrections or adjustments are made; determine appropriate payment elections for SHI reimbursements in PMIS; record journal entries, as needed and ensure proper clearance procedures; prepare bulk data for upload using Enterprise Interface Builders (EIBs) to reconcile and maintain ledger accounts; ensure collection of accounts receivable by transfer to WHO or collection from claim payments;

Assist and guide healthcare providers, and active and retired staff in areas of work assigned; assist in the monitoring of the day-today operation of the Staff Health Insurance Program, including the interpretation of rules, regulation, policies and procedures applicable to benefits provisions and providing guidance to SHI Team on the proper application of same; ensure the timely payment of medical claims; assist in monitoring the status of pending work and initiate actions to eliminate backlogs and to meet payment and reporting deadlines; draft routine or advanced reports and correspondence; monitor the team mailbox and ensure timely response to incoming messages; prepare responses to the queries received through Service Request System (SRS);

Generate, review, and assist in the creation, validation and maintenance of custom financial reports, consolidating data from different sources; prepare and submit reports and worksheets;

Research, analyze and resolve accounting problems in consultation with supervisors, finance specialists, technical units, and country offices, as needed; investigate erroneous charges and take corrective actions;

Prepare and maintain SOPs and Job Aids for assigned functions;

Participate in periodic testing of system updates and configuration changes;

Contribute to the monthly and annual closing process and annual financial statements;

Train staff in auditing and encoding of claims and provide guidance on the proper application of benefits; cover assignments in the absence of team members;

Apply corporate guidelines for fraud detection to the audit of claims, performing audit of claim activity generated by TPAs, ascertaining the validity of claims and the conformity to benefits described in the SHI Rules, ensuring the eligibility of claimants, the authenticity of documents, the validity of payments, etc., referring suspicious activity to the appropriate officer for further examination;

Receive and review queries from staff members regarding settlement of complex medical claims; resolve issues involving the processing of claims made through third party administrators (TPAs), liaising with TPA focal points on a weekly basis; prepare necessary replies to claimants and ensure the final resolution of cases;

Support group briefings and training of country office staff and retirees in the use of the automated system for claim submission (SHI Online), preparing training materials (videos and PowerPoints) for virtual use and in-person training; provide ongoing technical support to users of the SHI Online system and coordinate with WHO staff concerning system irregularities or data deficiencies with the HIIS claims processing system, ensuring timely correction of such problems;

Dispatch electronic claims and oversee the processing of payments to staff members in the absence of the Unit Supervisor, validate HIIS claims on a weekly basis in consultation with the WHO SHI Compliance Officer;

Function as the Team’s contact point with TPAs in overseeing the enrollment and termination of insurance coverage of active and retired staff; explain benefits, process the continuation of health insurance coverage and payment of contributions in accordance with prescribed procedures and limitations;

Work independently and provide authorization of medical and pharmaceutical services and products based on authority delegated for this purpose using independent judgement and knowledge of approval criteria;

Prepare medical cases, including required documentation, to be presented to the Global Standing Committee, the SHI Medical Advisor, or the SHI Officer at Headquarters for review and approval in accordance with the requirements of the SHI Plan; inform claimants and TPAs promptly of decisions taken;

Determine eligibility for Medicare coverage, provide guidance to active/retired staff on the requirements for Medicare coverage, and assist retirees in obtaining reimbursement of Medicare premiums; revise and maintain account code structure to include an indicator of Medicare coverage to enforce Rule C.27;

Provide advice to retirees on available benefits following the death of primary retired members, supporting access to benefits on behalf of survivors;

Perform audit of supplemental (catastrophic) benefits based on application of C.2 and based on in-depth knowledge of the benefit formula, including proper allocation of out-of-pocket costs over time;

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/ 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: Six years of experience in accounting and/or finance work, or four years of experience in accounting and/or finance work, and one year of college or university level training towards a declared major/minor in the area of accounting or finance, or two years of experience in accounting and/or finance work, and two years of specialized training at the college, university, or business school level in accounting and/or finance.

Desirable: Experience working with Workday Financial Management Modules and/or with IPSAS would be an asset.

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: Collaborate and cooperate with other/Deal effectively with conflict - Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity – 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: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge - Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

Knowing and Managing Yourself: Remain productive/Continuously learn - Remains objective and focused even in a “changing and moving” environment; continues to display positive behavior when facing some constraints; keeps challenges in perspective. Seeks all relevant information for decision making from a wide range of sources; quickly learns new competencies and skills that expand role capability; shows rapid understanding of new and/or complex information relevant to job.

Producing results: Work efficiently and independently/ Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own time lines effectively and efficiently. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

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 maintain databases, input data, and prepare reports and documentation including special charts, graphics, and other features.

Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential. Knowledge of systems, particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills/knowledge of report writing or other data management tools such as Access and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

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

USD $55,293.00

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. For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities. PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct. PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution. 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.