Head, Disbursements (re-advertised) (P-3)

Position Remarks

This fixed-term appointment is for duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules, as applicable. The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years. The Director-General retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.

Principal Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Budget and Finance and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, Head, Disbursements will have the following primary responsibilities; \r\n\r\nYou will organise the disbursing activities of two functional work units: payroll & travel unit and suppliers and services unit \r\n\r\n• Organise the section's activities and processes, assign responsibility to the Senior Financial Operations Assistant and the appropriate unit supervisors, ensure that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their tasks; \r\n• Lead and coach staff through daily/weekly and individual/team consultation to plan and organise activities and allocate tasks; \r\n• Co-ordinate with the Accounts and Reporting Section to meet their planning requirements for maintaining accurate accounting records and for producing the relevant financial reports; \r\n• Resolve issues encountered by disbursements staff and makes decisions to solve them, or contact other offices to support their needs; \r\n• Explain and provide guidance in the processing of disbursements in accordance with the relevant regulations, rules and directives to ensure disbursements staffs are sufficiently trained in the examination of claims and the preparation of payment vouchers in accordance with the applicable guidelines; \r\n• Work closely with Treasury Section to process vouchers on a timely basis to release funds by cut-off time.\r\n \r\nIn your role you will ensure that disbursements comply with the relevant Financial Regulations, Rules and Directives. \r\n\r\nYou will acts as sole Approving Officer for budget payments, ensuring compliance with the Financial Regulations and Rules, and Directives. You will also guide and train the staff members to ensure that the financial regulations and rules are well understood and applied and required internal controls exist. \r\n\r\nAdvise on and participate in the implementation of integrated financial and accounting systems for the organisation. \r\n\r\nAs such, you will act as team leader to incorporate needs for the accounts payable, payroll, and other staff benefit into systems relevant to the work of the Section. You will also participate in activities relating to other modules which impact AP and Payroll. \r\n\r\nAssist the Head of Branch in various management tasks which will include: \r\n\r\nIn your role you will draft papers on post justification or appraisal report; develop financial procedures and policies; and provide information and inputs and draft responses to internal and external audit recommendations;\r\nYou will also propose recommendations on the improvement of internal control system and advise the Head of Branch on administrative and financial matters.\r\n\r\nPerform other duties as required.

Knowledge and Skills

Education:\r\nEssential: Advanced University degree in Accounting, Finance, Management, Public or Business Administration or related field. A first level university degree in the same areas as above in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.\r\n\r\nSkills and Abilities (key competencies):\r\n. Ability to analyse operational and staffing issues, ensure attention to detail, identify priorities, formulate options, and propose and implement solutions in a complex business environment;\r\n. Well-developed inter-personal and communication skills with ability to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;\r\n. Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a financial operations environment, including delegation of responsibility, motivation and direction of staff, and a commitment to effective performance feedback;\r\n. Ability to act with discretion, confidentiality and tact in sensitive situations, as well as maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural backgrounds;\r\n. Proficiency in Microsoft desktop packages and sophisticated financial information systems, including payroll databases.\r\n

Experience

Essential: \r\n•At least five years of progressive experience in accounts payable functions, including payroll, of which at least two years should include international operations with advanced level degree and seven years with first level degree;\r\n•Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, administering, contemporary financial operations, including payroll\r\n•Extensive experience and demonstrated success in leading contemporary accounts payable operations, including an attention to detail and accuracy;\r\n•Experience in revising methods and procedures, drafting directives and implementing technology supported improvements.\r\n•Experience with modern ERP financial systems especially Payables and Payroll components.\r\n•Sound knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).\r\n\r\nDesirable:\r\n•Experience in planning and prioritising the resources and workload of small teams;\r\n•Experience in process review and implementation of improvements;\r\n•Experience working in

Languages

Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.

Salary Remarks

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and provident fund deductions) in US$ and a post adjustment. The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. The figure quoted on the right, is based on the September 2018 rate of 37.3 %.