Finance Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

 

 

1. Organizational Setting

    

   The post is located in the Financial Reporting Section of the Finance Division, Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration and Management Sector. The Financial Reporting Section is responsible for the preparation of financial reporting (including annual financial statements and reports to FITS donors) for both WIPO and UPOV. In this regard, the Section is responsible for ensuring that annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In addition, the Section is charged with the receipt of assessed and voluntary contributions for both WIPO and UPOV, together with all the related accounting and correspondence and is also responsible for the preparation of bank and other reconciliations and for maintaining the accounting records regarding the Organization's fixed assets.

    

2. Purpose Statement

    

   As a member of the Financial Reporting Section, the incumbent performs a wide variety of tasks relating to the preparation of annual financial statements and financial reporting in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

    

3. Reporting Lines

    

   The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Financial Reporting Section.

    

4. Work Relations

    

   The incumbent works closely with the Treasurer in supporting the accounting and financial reporting of the Treasury Section.

    

    

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.  Prepare accounting records and financial data of WIPO for inclusion in the annual financial statements as well as interim financial reports and check for consistency with applicable accounting standards.

 

b.  Analyze accounting records, procedures and transactions of the Treasury Section, to ensure correct interpretation and compliance with applicable standards and guidance. Perform analysis of treasury positions, including for risk management purposes, as required. Liaise with relevant financial institutions to ensure accurate and timely reports are received for the accounting purposes of the Treasury Section.

 

c.  Ensure that the Organization’s derivative financial instruments are documented, valued and recorded, in accordance with the requirements of applicable accounting standards and guidance. Prepare the related accounting entries and draft relevant disclosures for inclusion in financial reports. Act as back-up to the Treasurer for treasury transaction execution.

 

d.  Prepare and maintain accounting procedures for the Organization’s netting structure. Review and verify accounting entries related to the netting structure, and monitor the impact on the Organization’s foreign exchange gains and losses.

 

e.  Prepare and review data for submission to external actuaries for the calculation of employee benefit liabilities. Liaise with colleagues in the Human Resources Management Department to obtain statistical data necessary to support actuarial assumptions. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the review and reporting of actuarial assumptions and calculations.

 

f.   Prepare monthly downloads of financial data from the Administrative Integrated Management System (AIMS) for inclusion in summary reports. Review monthly accrual estimates, and prepare the summary report template. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the preparation of monthly accrual accounting adjustments.

 

g.  Carry out a range of daily activities as a bank signatory, including the review of payments as part of fraud prevention and detection.

 

h.  Advise staff across the Organization on the correct application of finance regulations, rules, or procedures to cases. Assist the Head of the Financial Reporting Section in the provision of information and the preparation of replies in the context of the external audit of the WIPO annual financial statements.

 

i.   Perform other related duties as required. 

 

 

 

 

 

Education

Essential

First-level university degree in finance, accounting or a related discipline, or alternatively, a first-level university degree and a professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent).

 

Desirable

Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent).

 

Experience

Essential

At least six years’ experience in accounting and financial reporting, including experience working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Accounting Standards (IAS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

 

An advanced university degree in a relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of two years of experience. Working experience in accounting for treasury operations, and reporting of financial instruments.

Experience of an ERP (ideally PeopleSoft Financials) gained in a financial or accounting role.

 

Desirable

Experience working in a UN common system organization.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of English.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of French or other UN languages.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

 

Good knowledge of IFRS and IAS and/or IPSAS.

 

Ability to analyse financial information and complex financial arrangements, and to relate financial or accounting theory to operating practices.

 

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work within strict time constraints and meet deadlines.

 

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

 

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

 

 

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

    

    

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the September 2019 rate of 76.4%

 

P3
Annual salary	$60,233
Post adjustment	$46,018
Total Salary	$106,251
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

 

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

 

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

 

Additional background checks may be required.