Accounting Assistant

VACANCY NOTICE NO.:	GS-12-35
ORGANIZATION:	UNEP/Office for Operations/Contributions
DUTY STATION:	Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:	Accounting Assistant
GRADE:	G-6
DURATION:	5 Months (Nov to March)
IMIS NO.	600312
CLOSING DATE:	27/09/2012

Background:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level (www.unep.org). Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This position is located in the UNEP Office for Operations/Contributions Section at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Contributions Section, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

·            Scrutinize source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges;

·            Investigate erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions;

·            Communicate with field offices regarding missing documentation or any other issues related to discrepancies between their accounts and those maintained at Headquarters; 

·            Reconcile and review suspense accounts and ensure proper clearance procedures have been followed;

·            Extract details of income, expenditure, assets and liability from accounting system in order to analyze and verify accuracy and validity;

·            Consolidates data into financial statements;

·            Assist with the monitoring of expenditures to ensure they remain within authorized levels;  Examine the validity of requests for increases in imprest levels; prepare disbursement vouchers to replenish imprest accounts;

·            Prepare worksheets and assists with the preparation of financial statements;

·            Audit various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursements and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices;

·            Serve as Approving Officer for disbursements up to an authorized level;

·            Provide guidance and training to colleagues as required;

·            Supervise other General Service staff as required;

·            Draft/prepare memoranda and/or cables to various offices, departments and overseas offices;

·               Respond to queries from staff members and third parties;

·               Perform 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 and 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.

Qualifications:

Education: Completion of secondary school is required. Supplementary training relating to accounting, economics, or administration an asset.

Experience:   Seven years of progressively responsible finance experience is required. Experience     in the usage of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and web based management systems.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.  

 

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. See UN website: http:www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. 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.  This is a temporary vacancy.  Appointment against this post is for a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise for renewal. All applications to be sent to the following address on or before the deadline of 27/09/2012. Applicants should send a completed United Nations P.11 or Galaxy Personal History Form together with a covering letter of one to two pages summarizing how they meet the requirements of the job to: Email: : mariarosa.giannotti@unep.org UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the email address above. PLEASE QUOTE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.:    GS-12-35

UNEP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee please contact: recruitment@unon.org.