UN Jobs – Finance Officer at United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)
Job Title: Finance Officer
Organization: United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)
Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Job Opening Number: 17-Finance-RSCE-78177-F-Entebbe (M)
Reports to: Service Line Manager
Job Grade: FS6
About RSCE:
The Regional Service Centre Steering Committee is the decision-making body for RSCE, in compliance with General Assembly resolutions, United Nations Secretariat rules and regulations, strategic guidance from United Nations Headquarters and oversight bodies. The Steering Committee consults with the Global Field Support Strategy Implementation Coordination Team, as required.
The Regional Service Centre, as approved by the Member States, is owned, managed and staffed by the regional missions it serves. This framework reinforces the existing missions’ chain of command structures and lines of authority in a manner that does not create an additional layer between Headquarters and the regional missions. It also ensures that staffing for RSC.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will carry out the following duties:
Accounts:
- Provide input and play an active role in the preparation of IPSAS compliant Financial Statements for year-end as well as monthly and quarterly periodical accounts closing.
- Keenly review and analyze unusual accounting transactions and balances and open items in the General Ledgerand implement corrective actions.
- Review and reconcile various clearing accounts, investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take or recommend appropriate corrective accounting action.
- The jobholder will also process incoming/outgoing interoffice vouchers (IOVs), interoffice billings (IOBs) and intermission billings (IMBs) from/to HQs, agencies, funds, programs and other field missions.
- Review and verify that appropriate relevant and complete supporting documents have been provided for the processing of payments for goods and services received;
- Prepare staff members’ entitlements including claims, danger pay, daily subsistence allowance, mission subsistence allowance, volunteer living allowance and any other allowances for payments in conformity and adherence to applicable United Nations policies e.g., staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices, IPSAS accounting standards framework etc.
- Prepare year-end reports for the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) on all pension contributions made by national staff.
- Supervise the disbursement of payments and monitor house bank account balances and transaction. Prepare bank reconciliation statements and monitor and clear open reconciling items.
- Act as a Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 105.5 or Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4 in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules.
- Provide advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to IPSAS, the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars.
- Reviews funds receipts and identifies sources and records them as appropriate in the General Ledger.
Budget:
- Prepare cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; review, analyse and revise data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs.
- The incumbent will administrate the mission’s allotments in accordance with the established procedures including redeployment/reallocation of funds.
- Offer technical support to programme/fund centre managers (Substantive and Support Sections) with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
Treasury/Cashier:
- Keenly monitors/reviews methods used to remit payments and supervises investigation of non-receipt of payments.
- Responsible for monitoring the transmittal of payments worldwide
- Responsible for disbursement of funds within all RSCE house banks; co-executes as bank signatory, all duly approved payments to financial institutions within the purview of RSCE by verifying banking instructions, methods of payment, partner banks, beneficiary details, routing instructions and amounts to be disbursed;
- Responsible for managing banking relationships both for RSCE house banks and third party banks to ensure seamless banking operations for RSCE and its client mission banks.;
- Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds.
- Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
- Monitors the dispatch of payment instructions and cheques to banks and monitor house bank account balances.
- Verifies receipts and deposit slips for all incoming funds and process Cash Receipt Vouchers.
- Supports staff members regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues.
- Identifies and annotate bank account movements.
- Assists the Chief of Unit/Section in cash management, including preparing cash flow forecasts.
- Investigates complaints from clients of non-receipt of funds
- Keenly monitors cheque stock and cash receipt vouchers and requests for new stock as required.
- Ensures that cash in the vault are accounted for on a daily basis.
- In the absence of a Chief Cashier, oversee the daily operation of the Cashier’s Unit including the transmittal of payments.
General:
- Keeps up-to-date on 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 ERP system and the UN Financial Rules and Regulations.
- The incumbent drafts/verifies memoranda and/or cables relevant to financial and budget matters to various offices, departments and missions.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations Regional Service Centre at Entebbe (RSCE) Finance Officer job opportunity should hold a High School diploma or equivalent with training in accounting, business administration or finance or a recognized qualification in accountancy / finance is required.
- A minimum of ten 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. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 years for candidates who possess a first level University Degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field.
- Significant exposure and experience working in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, funds, and programmes or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
- Previous experience working in a UN shared service centre in the field service is desirable.
- Languages: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
Personal Competencies:
- Professionalism: Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and apply data across the full range of finance, accounting, treasury and budget 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. Ability to plan and achieve the unit’s operations and objectives. 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 & 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.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours 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.
- Client 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 clients.
NB: 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.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates desiring to serve the United Nations Regional Service Centre at Entebbe (RSCE) in the aforementioned capacity should express their interest by visiting the UN recruitment website and clicking Apply Now.
Deadline: 27th April 2017