Job Title
Senior Accounting Assistant, G7
Department/ Office
Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station
ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period
14 January 2014-13 February 2014
Job Opening number
14-FIN-ECA-32531-R-ADDIS ABABA (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Division of Administration/ Finance Section / Trust Funds Unit
of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The incumbent will report to the
Chief of the Trust Funds Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Accounting Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
- Analyses complex and/or unusual accounting transactions and difficult claims for travel, tax, invoices, entitlements etc. Makes recommendations to Chief of Unit/Section on appropriate follow-up procedures.
- Reviews and reconciles various clearing accounts to ensure appropriate balances. Investigates erroneous/invalid entries and takes appropriate corrective accounting action.
- Audits various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursement computations and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations, ST/AI issuances or practices.
- Reviews completeness of reports and consolidates the accounts of overseas offices on a periodic basis.
- Prepares worksheets and analyze accounts. Assists in the preparation of financial statements for various funds, e.g., general, peacekeeping, technical co-operation, trust fund, revenue and other special accounts.
- Approves payment and journal vouchers for various claims/payments, e.g., travel reimbursement, education grants, salary advances, etc., ensuring compliance with relevant rules and control procedures.
- Provides guidance and training (including the preparation of training materials) to staff at
- Headquarters and in the field with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems such as IMIS .
- Supervises other general service staff when required.
- Drafts/prepares memoranda and responds to queries by staff members, internal and external auditors and from their counterparts in offices away from Headquarters.
- Performs other duties as may be required.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization's financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices.
- Ability to extract, interpret,and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems.
- 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.
- Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
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.
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.
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away from Headquarters.
Work Experience
- At least ten years of work experience in Accounting, Finance or related area is required.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
- For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
- Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take-up the appointment. Passing the Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Candidates who are short-listed to be considered for this position will be contacted by the recruiter to be scheduled to sit for the ASAT at a later date.
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.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
