Finance Specialist

Washington D.C.

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Washington D.C.
  • Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Banking and Finance
    • Financial Resources Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Department of Financial Resources Management (FRM) oversees the financial transactions of the Organization by establishing its financial regulations and rules, as well as the accounting policies and procedures; processes the disbursements of funds; prepares the financial statements of the Organization including the reporting of regular funds and extra-budgetary funds; monitors the inflow of funding and utilization of these resources; is responsible for investments and banking, financial analysis, the monitoring of the cost centers’ financial administration; payroll, pension, taxes, Staff Health Insurance, and the processes and systems involved with FRM’s area of responsibility.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director, Financial Resources Management (FRM), and the direct supervision of the Treasurer and Senior Advisor, Financial Services and Systems, (FRM/FS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:
AUDIT LIAISON

1. Liaise with the Organization’s External Auditors and manage the interim and biennial audits\:
  • Coordinate the logistics for the External Auditors’ visits at PAHO headquarters and country offices;
  • Provide support to country offices and entities at headquarters during the entire audit process;
  • Coordinate the responses to Audit Reports of the External Auditor and prepare status reports of outstanding recommendations for Executive Management, the Audit Committee, and the Governing Bodies;
  • Prepare official documents regarding the nomination and appointment of the External Auditor, and coordinate the execution of the Engagement Letter and the annual Audit Strategy with the External Auditors;
2. Coordinate responses to Internal Audit reports of FRM teams and provide technical advice to senior management;

3. Coordinate responses to Audit Committee reports and provide technical advice to senior management;
CORPORATE CREDIT CARD ADMINISTRATOR

4. Act as Corporate Credit Card Administrator for all credit card programs\:
  • Provide technical support to staff in policies and processes for the Individual Travel Card, Ghost Travel Card, and the Purchasing Card Programs;
  • Liaise with the external vendor(s) on terms, process and issues arising in the management of the Program(s);
  • Perform monthly review of activity and invoices to ensure compliance with the policies governing the Program(s).
FRM BUDGET MANAGER

5. Support the elaboration and control of the Department’s biennial work plan (BWP), including\:
  • Operational budget, human resource plan, risk analysis, analytical documents and PowerPoint presentations, and other submissions required by Executive Management (Travel Plan, Meetings Plan, Staff Development Plan) in support of the BWP;
  • Periodic status and implementation reports in coordination with FRM staff for the Performance Monitoring and Assessment (PMA) each semester and as requested by senior management.
FINANCIAL ANALYST
6. Maintain up to date Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Job Aids (where relevant)\:
  • Ensure the SOP governing the audit process and audit activities reflects the current terms of the External Audit Engagement Letter;
  • Ensure the SOP and Job Aids governing corporate credit card activities reflects best practices;
  • Ensure the relevant documents regarding the audit process, audit activities, and corporate credit card programs on the FRM intranet site are current.
7. Prepare contributions to briefing books for Executive Management travel, Governing Body documents (WHO Executive Board, PBAC and WHA), as well as with regard to United Nations system initiatives (CEB, HLCM, FB Network);

8. Actively participate in the analysis and testing of ERP fixes and enhancements associated with business processes;

9. Supervise the work of the Finance Technician I with regard to support provided to the incumbent's responsibilities;

10. Act as signatory on the Organization's bank and investment accounts;

11. Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education\:
Essential\: A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or any Social Science related to the areas of work of the position from a recognized university.
Desirable\: Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA) or a master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration, would be an asset.
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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http\://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https\://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience\:
Essential\: Five years of combined national and international experience in accounting and finance in the private or public sector.
Desirable\: Experience working with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or Workday Financial Management Modules would be an asset.

SKILLS\:
PAHO Competencies\:
  • Overall attitude at work\: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
  • Teamwork\: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.
  • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences\: Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
  • Communication\: Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.
  • Knowing and managing yourself\: Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.
  • Producing Results\: Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.
  • Moving forward in a changing environment\: Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.
Technical Expertise\:
  • Very good knowledge of the full range of accounting standards for public and private sectors. Experience with International Public Sector Standards (IPSAS) would be an asset.
  • Strong professional writing and editing skills in English.
  • Knowledge of current best practices in financial management, with specific emphasis on internal control environment and oversight practices.
  • Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and outside traditional financial functions and within a multicultural environment.
  • Ability to work under limited guidance, with a maximum degree of initiative.
  • Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages\:
Very good knowledge of English with a working knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
IT Skills\:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Experience with complex ERP systems particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills/knowledge of report writer or other data management tools such as Access and Project, would be an asset.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)
US $47,322.00 post adjustment
Post Adjustment\: 47.6% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

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 may be used as a form of screening.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
For information on PAHO please visit\: http\://www.paho.org
PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include\: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.
Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.


This vacancy is now closed.
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