Quality Assurance/Assets Accountant 242 views

Org. Setting and Reporting

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function. For more information about UNECA, please visit our website: www.uneca.org.

The Quality Assurance/Asset Accountant position is located in the Accounts Unit, Finance and Budget Section, Division of Administration of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Accounts Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Quality Assurance/ Assets Accountant will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Asset Management

•Oversees the proper maintenance of the fixed asset register by recording information related to fixed assets and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of such information. Information includes but is not limited to: data relating to the stewardship and control of fixed assets; costs related to the acquisition and disposal (including transfers and retirement) of fixed assets; expenditures related to fixed assets; depreciation charges; impairment charges.
•Undertakes analysis for fixed assets on a regular basis and oversees the proper maintenance of financial records in Umoja/SAP ERP accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Policy Framework and related UN IPSAS policies and procedures.
•Coordinates with property management team focal points to ensure that property values are complete, accurate and up to date.
•Coordinates with property management teams to investigate the potential obsolescence of fixed assets and implements and monitors the annual useful life review process.
•Follow up of potential impairment of fixed assets and implements and monitors the annual impairment review process and the resulting adjustments in accounting entries.
•Ensures and liaises with divisions to obtain data on asset management, receiving and stock management, physical inventories and data reconciliations.
•Ensures proper systems are in place for the accurate tracking of existing fixed assets and manages the outsourced periodic physical verification review process.
•Review the annual physical verification report for existence and completeness of PP&E assets and carry out any reported adjustments including impairment and write offs.
•Assist in the accurate compilation of asset under construction (AUC) project costs into fixed asset accounts, and close out those accounts once the related AUC has been completed.
•Implements and maintains the fixed asset accounting framework at UNECA in line with the framework established by Headquarters in New York and established detailed in updated standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process workflows, by engaging with other stakeholders to ensure proper and efficient accounting transactions and reports; Ensuring compliance with UN Headquarters policy relating to fixed assets; developing and maintaining fixed asset accounting procedures, workflows and forms (where needed) for the recording of fixed assets procedures in accordance with Headquarters guidelines; Reviewing, documenting and improving existing guidelines and instructions for all fixed asset related processes.
•Provides guidance in relation to IPSAS accounting standards and makes appropriate recommendations to Finance and/ or Management for changes in accounting policy.
•Provides guidance to stakeholder offices and leads, guides, trains and supervises a dedicated team of support staff in the function.
•Performs other duties as required, as indicated by the Chief of Finance or Director of Administration.

Quality Assurance

•Conduct quality check of financial transactions to ensure compliance with IPSAS, Finance policies and procedures are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN.
•Analyze the Office’s existing compliance policies and procedures and recommends measures for efficiency improvement and effectiveness of politics and procedures.
•Responsible for all assurance work in ensuring quality of transactions, analyzing cause and effect of policy changes to the operations of the Finance Section and provides advice on the feasibility of their implementation.
•Establish and/or review systems and procedures for compliance with UN financial rules and regulations and prepares reports and recommendations.
•Provide oversight on ensuring timely preparation and submission of financial transactions and accounting reports and statements to contribute to Volume I of the UNHQ Financial Statements and reports to the GA.
•Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner.
•Approves/Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments.
•Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and up to date internal control systems are functioning, and that all relevant records are maintained.
•Conduct quality checks of the General Trust Fund, and other Funds managed by ECA, in accordance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations (UNFRR), policies and procedures and instructions from Accounts Division, OPPBA, and UNHQ.
•Assists, prepares or consolidates timely financial statements for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations on time.
•Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority
•Provides clients with authoritative interpretation of financial and policy requirements for handling transactions (e.g. use of miscellaneous obligations, proper project closure, petty cash etc.)
•Monitors, analyses, and approves transactions for entry into the accounting system (Umoja/SAP).
•Prepares standard and ad-hoc reports.
•Performs other duties as required as indicated by the Chief of Finance or Director of Administration.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and accounting and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis; Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations; 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.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

•Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards ; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field or certified public accountant qualification from a recognized institution is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related finance area with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance and budget is required.
Working experience in audit and managing fixed asset is essential. Experience and Knowledge of an ERP system, preferably SAP, is required.

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

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.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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.

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.

More Information

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