Financial Systems Specialist

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 127,053 USD and 166,365 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is 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 disbursement 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 and 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 Director, Financial Resources Management (FRM) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Financial Systems, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Systems Analysis and Improvement:

• Conduct comprehensive analyses of the financial systems, identifying areas for modifications and/or improvements.

• Ensure system enhancements align with organizational financial policies and business practices.

• Proactively identify and recommend efficiency and accuracy enhancements in financial procedures.

b) Enhancing Financial Operations:

• Lead efforts to refine and enhance financial processes within Workday, aligning with the organization's strategic objectives.

• Stay updated with and implement the latest Workday features and innovations, enhancing user experience and system efficiency.

c) Collaboration and Communication:

• Serve as a liaison between FRM users, financial system providers, and internal departments to effectively communicate needs and solutions.

• Coordinate with various teams for analyzing, designing, and implementing system changes.

d) Testing and Quality Assurance:

• Lead semi-annual testing for Workday upgrades, ensuring system reliability and performance.

• Conduct thorough testing of all new programs and modifications, ensuring compliance and readiness for user acceptance.

e) System Configuration and Management:

• Oversee and manage the configuration of business processes within the FRM's remit.

• Ensure smooth transition of system changes from development stage to production.

f) Reporting and Analytics:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive Workday reports and analytical models to support other departments and financial analysis needs.

• Document processes and progress, providing essential information for review sessions and decision-making.

g) Training and User Support:

• Design and deliver effective training programs on Workday functionalities and procedures.

• Offer first-line support to users, addressing issues related to data posting and viewing in Workday.

h) System Security and Integration:

• Oversee and refine the integration of Workday with external systems, ensuring robust data integrity and streamlined operations.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to design and sustain integrations that bolster the financial system’s capabilities.

• Administer online banking services within the Treasury Team, focusing on integration and security aspects.

• Assess and respond to proposals for system enhancements, ensuring optimal feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

i) Additional Duties:

• Provide backup support to other FRM staff as needed.

• Perform other related duties, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor's degree in information systems, accounting, finance, computer science, engineering or business administration from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in finance, financial systems, computer science, engineering, accounting or business administration would be an asset. Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent would be desirable. Certifications in ERP systems, Project Management (e.g., PMP), or IT (e.g., ITIL) would also be valuable.

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: Seven years of combined national and international professional experience in financial systems management and accounting, in a large public or private sector organization.

Desirable: Proven hands-on experience with Workday Financial Management Modules or comparable ERP systems, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of their functionalities in financial operations, would be an asset. Experience in collaborative projects that bridge IT and financial departments, showcasing strong teamwork and communication skills 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.

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes 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.

· Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.

· 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.

· Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - 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.

· Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.

· Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives in line with those set by the supervisor; commits to producing results and acts efficiently to set priorities. Monitors own progress and seeks advice from supervisor to ensure that actions are implemented.

Technical Expertise:

· Advanced skills in systems analysis, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

· Proven expertise in managing complex systems development projects, including detailed systems documentation and effective project oversight.

· Deep understanding of computerized financial systems, emphasizing internal controls, oversight mechanisms, and policy development.

· Expertise in designing and implementing user-friendly tools for financial data retrieval and analysis.

· Comprehensive knowledge of administrative processes across accounting, payroll, finance, and procurement.

· Expertise in integrating and configuring systems to streamline and enhance financial and administrative operations.

· Extensive experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, particularly in financial management and administrative functions.

· Strong skills in aligning ERP systems with organizational business processes for improved efficiency and accuracy.

· Strong capability in working with databases and developing front-end solutions to facilitate user access to financial information.

· Exceptional communication skills, capable of preparing and presenting reports and technical documents for various organizational levels.

· Ability to foster collaborative relationships within diverse and multi-cultural teams, extending beyond traditional financial roles.

· Familiarity with project management methodologies, ensuring that deliverables meet strategic goals and adhere to business plans.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential. Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools such as SQL, Power BI, or Tableau. Knowledge of integration and automation tools like Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate would be desirable.

REMUNERATION

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

$US 64,121.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 63.5% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (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. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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

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 organization purposes.