Financial Systems Specialist

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 disbursement 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 and taxes, Staff Health Insurance, and the processes and systems involved with FRM’s area of responsibility.

Under the general supervision of the Director of Administration (AM) and the direct supervision of the Director, Financial Resources Management (FRM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Analyze the computerized financial systems of the Financial Resources Management Department (FRM) and determine specifications for modifications, improvements and adjustments, including:

• Communicate with FRM users and Cost Center focal points regarding their needs;
• Communicate with the Organization’s financial systems providers, regarding the analysis and programming modifications to Workday, its interfaces and other Financial Systems;
• Provide information/analysis to ITS for issues raised during re-programming efforts;
• Review all Workday modifications requested prior to formally submitting same to the provider. Analyze and research system requirements. Review and clarify the Organization’s financial policies in relation to System requirements; lead discussions with FRM personnel and take the actions necessary to provide complementary information for the proper programming of Workday modifications;

1. Actively promote an environment which ensures a close monitoring & control of operations using the tools available in the systems. Ensure that FRM is using all the relevant resources and capabilities that the system provides;
2. Lead the planning and implementation of semi-annual testing for Workday upgrades;
3. Oversee overall configuration of FRM owned business processes;
4. Coordinate with staff in analyzing, designing and testing changes to configuration under the responsibility of FRM;
5. Responsible for the deployment of changes from Sandbox to Production to ensure PMIS integrity, project documentation and configuration management;
6. Develop Workday Reports;
7. Receive and evaluate proposals from users, both from Country Offices and/or Technical Entities in HQ for system enhancement changes providing recommendations to the Advisor, FMR/FS/S on the feasibility and cost effectiveness of such enhancements;
8. Test all programs and modifications received from ITS to validate their acceptance before they are provided to FRM staff for their clearance; approve tested programs for use in production; monitor the successful transfer of the new programs to the production environment; ensure that the acceptance testing by the appropriate FRM units is complete and well documented;
9. Support the Treasury Team as Systems Administrator for online banking services; develop banking integrations; maintain security controls in banking issues, in coordination with the Advisor; assist in development of data transfer procedures with corporate banking partners;
10. Prepare documentation and support for the Financial Systems Advisor’s review sessions with ITS on the progress of their work with regards to Workday; provide information on these sessions to higher level of management as appropriate;
11. Undertake analysis of business practices and financial procedures as warranted; identify and recommend changes to business practices or financial systems that will result in increased efficiency and accuracy of processing financial data; prepare detailed analytical reports;
12. Provide first-line support to Workday users for problems they experience in posting or viewing Workday data;
13. Analyze perceived Workday system problems vis-à-vis the processing of transactions or the presentation of data on Workday screens using data-extraction tools;
14. Research problems thoroughly; identify the range of probable causes; test various scenarios to identify the actual cause of the problem; discuss analysis with FRM staff or users to achieve consensus on how the program should properly function;
15. Provide first-line support to FRM units for the annual Workday closure process; oversee related logistical details of both the annual and biennial closure; ensure that these programs work correctly in accordance with PAHO established policies/requirements; test and review the programs as often as required to ensure that modifications placed into Workday production throughout the year have not impacted the closure process; coordinate all closure program modifications with ITS;
16. Function as the first point-of-contact with ITS and other areas (e.g. Procurement, General Services, and Human Resources) for Workday programming involving these entities, either directly or indirectly;
17. Design and provide training courses in Workday procedures and functionality; prepare written materials and conduct training, either in small groups or individually for users in HQ or Country Offices;
18. Develop computer models using cutting-edge tools to extract information from financial systems to prepare reports to be used in other Departments, including reports for Auditors and statistics for Financial Analysis;
19. Develop and deliver training on functionality of Banking and Settlement business processes within Workday;
20. Backup other FRM/FS/S staff as and when needed;
21. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: A bachelor's degree in information systems, accounting, finance, computer science, engineering, or business administration, or any other discipline related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in finance, financial systems, computer science, engineering, accounting, or business administration or a

professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Accountant 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.

Essential: Seven years of combined national and international work experience in financial systems and/or accounting in the private or public sector.

Desirable: Experience working with Workday Financial Management Modules would be an asset.

• 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.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. 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.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Expresses oneself clearly when speaking/Listens/Writes effectively/Shares knowledge - Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Moving forward in a changing environment: Proposes change/Adapts to change - 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.
• Producing Results: Works efficiently and independently/Delivers quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategizes and sets clear objectives/Monitors progress and uses resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely objectives in line with those set by the supervisor; commits to producing results and acts efficiently to set priorities. Monitors own progress and seeks advice from supervisor to ensure that actions are implemented.

• Theoretical and proven technical and analytical skills in systems analysis and design, application development and configuration, systems documentation and management of systems development projects.
• Thorough knowledge of current best practices in computerized financial systems, with specific emphasis on internal control environment, oversight practices, and the development of policies and procedures.
• Proven skills working with databases and other software to design front-end tools that will assist users to retrieve financial information.
• Thorough understanding of administrative process in accounting, payroll, finance, personnel, procurement, knowledge of concepts and technical skills in systems analysis, application configuration, systems documentation, and management of applications implementation projects.
• Familiarity with Project Management principles in order to ensure deliverables meets requirements and business plans.
• Thorough understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, as well as financial and administrative business processes, such as accounting, payroll and treasury functions.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and outside traditional financial functions and within a multi-cultural environment.
• 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

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. Experience with complex ERP systems particularly with regard to financial, accounting, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills/knowledge of software programs such as, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Project would be an asset.

Post Adjustment: 50.4% 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.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

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.