Finance Officer

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Purpose of the Post:

To ensure timely and correct recording of accounting transactions of the Organization and in the Imprest accounts of all Country Offices of EURO region and GDOs. To ensure Accounts and Donor Awards team members are engaged and efficient in performing their duties.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives:

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being.

As part of the BOS division, the Financial Control and Assurance unit (FCA) supports the operations of the technical divisions and country offices in WHO/Europe in their work towards achieving the goals set by the WHO European Programme of Work. FCA delivers continuous guidance, review, capacity building and oversight of financial transactions, policies and procedures. FCA also ensures compliance with financial regulations and rules, policies and procedures and maintains internal controls in order to effectively discharge WHO’s accountability obligations to Member States and donors.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

To ensure timely and correct recording of accounting transactions of the Organization and in the Imprest accounts of all Country Offices of EURO region and GDOs.

To ensure Accounts and Donor Awards team members are engaged and efficient in performing their duties.

Key duties:

Under the guidance of Regional Finance Manager:

·Manages accounts, donor awards and reporting activities of WHO/Europe, as well as their teams.

·Ensures that all payments made in EURO are effected correctly, on time and accurately recorded. Escalates and coordinates with GSC and HQ for all the issues pertaining to payments and other financial issues for WHO/Europe.

·Monitors cash balances to ensure funds are adequate to meet the demand of the Regional Office and Country Offices and Geographically Dispersed Offices (GDOs). Oversees the bank and cash reconciliations of all country office accounts and GDOs.

·Manages with relevant offices the monthly, annual and biennial closures to ensure the accuracy of the financial position and performance of WHO/Europe.

·Acts as authorized signatory officer on all WHO/Europe banking and financial documents. Manages bank signatory panels and bank account opening and closing for WHO/Europe, country offices and GDOs.

·Advises as focal point in audits, regional review/verification missions, EU reporting. Analyzes the results across different mission reports to improve financial compliance.

·Provides financial guidance to EURO managers and staff on financial policies and procedures including VAT related issues, recommending changes to procedures and improving the level of service, whilst ensuring appropriate internal controls are in place.

·Clears donor agreements at the regional level from a financial perspective and certifies financial donor reporting. Advises programmes in negotiation of donor agreements, the management of funds, income, awards and expenditures and works on building regional capacity building in financial analysis, awards management, controls and accountability.

·Supervises the status of the analysis of the subsidiary (Imprest) accounts and reports that accounts are maintained in a professional and responsible manner. Coordinates and delivers training on Imprest and the compliance of Imprest operations with the Financial Rules and Regulations to staff in country offices and GDOs, as and when needed.

·Briefs on changes in WHO rules, regulations, policies, procedures and systems related to the areas of work. Ensures that relevant changes are disseminated to appropriate stakeholders. Supports the continuous improvement of rules and regulations around areas of work through identification of current and emerging issues and make recommendations to the Finance Manager on the development and enhancement of policies, procedures, guidelines, tools to manage issues.

·Guides implementation of new tools and development of existing tools – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) modules for finance, eWorkflow, financial dashboard, share point or other – in assigned subject area.

·Acts as a role-model for WHO values. Demonstrates leadership and guides staff members on their individual performance, teamwork and well-being. Encourages continuous learning for the team and identifies best practices.

·Perform other managerial or analytical duties as assigned.

Competencies:

·Teamwork

·Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

·Communication

·Ensuring effective use of resources

·Producing results

·Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

·Demonstrated skills and knowledge in finance, accounting management and reporting, with the ability to analyze financial data and recommend appropriate actions and to prepare reporting documents.

·Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting and financial management. Good working knowledge of IAS, IPSAS and UNSAS.

·Integrity, tact and discretion in dealing with others. Demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgement.

·Ability to work harmoniously as a senior member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

·Ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, or related field. Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent.

Experience:

Essential: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in a financial reporting and accounting operations, including in an international environment. Demonstrated accounting experience using ERP systems.

Desirable: Relevant experience in managing teams within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Use of Language Skills:

Essential: expert knowledge of English

Desirable: working/intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian or German

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2133 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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