Senior Finance Assistant

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State’s health and development agendas, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer and the overall guidance of the Head of WCO, SYRIA, the incumbent will act as a lead and the focal point for financial issues in WCO Guidance is provided in the form of work programme, account guidelines, administrative and financial instructions. The incumbent participates in planning objectives and complete work independently. Extensive judgment and interpretation are involved to determine appropriate methods for the processing of the various accounting tasks and in adapting established practices to assigned work. Incumbent may also be required to modify or develop supplementary guidelines. Completed work is normally accepted as technically correct, exceptional or complex assignments are reviewed by supervisors upon completion to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with rules and regulations.

The incumbent will perform the generic tasks set by the organization as well as additional responsibilities pertaining to the nature of work as follows:

Contribute to the development of the WCO programme budget, and work plans. Maintain an overview on budgetary, funding and related financial issues, closely monitoring deadlines, encumbrances, funding gaps etc. Draw supervisors’ attention to specific/unusual discrepancies or problems, recommends necessary corrective actions.

Administer the E-Imprest system, scrutinize and select data from variety of sources, ensure accuracy in calculations and attachment of necessary supporting receipts of payments and authorizations. Process and monitor of eImprest GL’s and all eImprest transactions including review of services purchase orders – Imprest, DFC’s, GES and other activities with the aim to ensure accuracy of financial data, adequacy of supporting documents and maintenance of proper accounting records. Ensure compliance with financial procedures and WHO rules and reply to audits’ queries.

Initiate, verify and process financial transactions and payments for WCO office and sub- offices related to staff and non-staff costs, purchase orders, local purchases, etc, based on authorizations received from EMRO and GSC. Process eImprest transactions and monitor Imprest GL’s including processing and reviewing of services purchase orders – Imprest, DFC’s, GES and other activities; ensure accuracy of financial data, adequacy of supporting documents and maintenance of proper accounting records. Ensure data is up to date.

Responsible for the compilation and verification of national immunization budgets. Monitor timely transfer of program funds and award budgeting GSM work-plans. Monitor distribution and amendments of awards, follow up on cash receipts and unapplied receivable balances, monitor revisions of amounts vis-à-vis award distribution by SO/OWER and budget centre, check validity of awards, reporting deadlines and linkage of awards to projects and initiate action for expenditure batches.

Participate in preparation of proposals for resource mobilization and support HWCO and national partners, in the follow-up of multi or bilateral pledges to ensure the availability of funds for the implementation of work-plans and programme activities.

Maintain liaison with officials of local banks and other financial institution to keep abreast of changes in procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. Compare cash books with bank statements to compute gain and loss in exchange rate on monthly basis.

Collects, registers, and maintains a follow-up system on projects activities by reviewing reports; contributes to the preparations of status & progress reports by providing information, preparing tables & background material for use in discussions, meetings, or briefing sessions. Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required. Initiate correspondence and answer queries related to area of work.

Work closely with the technical team in conceiving and implementing innovative financial strategies pertaining to WCO. Leads DDM capacity building and induction training activities for hard to reach and security compromised part of the country where access to internationals are limited.

Oversee payments and cash release for incentives directly through DDM, as well as releasing non-DDM payment to districts for the rounds of immunization campaigns for polio and 1-2 national Measles campaign per year..

Reconcile country office cash books and justify any difference in reconciliation; prepare cash counts and reconcile with the cashbook on a monthly basis. Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions.

Advise and brief all staff and non staff on financial rules and procedures pertaining to allowances, travel claims and other financial matters. Coordinate the work of other Finance Assistants, including capacity building and training.

Submit clean statement of account to Budget and Finance Office, EMRO, through maintaining internal expenditure control systems which ensures completeness of required documentation/approvals/clearances.

Identify and report funding/budgeting problems, report discrepancies to project managers and propose alternatives to ensure alignment and compliance with business rules and financial practices.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary education; training and/or technical courses in business administration/commerce or accounting.

Desirable: University degree in commerce, finance or business administration is an asset

Experience

Essential: At least ten years of related experience in accounting and/or administrative work.

Desirable: UN relevant experience.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of general accounting principles, procedures, and practices. Knowledge of the organization's policies and regulations in general, and in particular, regarding project activities and financial procedures is an asset.

Delivering quality results in pressing situations and conflicting priorities.

Excellent analytical skills with strategic focus.

Very good organizational and time management skills.

Good knowledge of banking regulations and local laws.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Very good knowledge of Microsoft applications.

Knowledge of ERP/Oracle applications is an asset

WHO Competencies

Producing results

Fostering integration and teamwork

Communication in an effective and credible way

Ensure effective use of resources

Setting an example

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

•Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

(a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;

(b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;

(c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of the Local language.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at USD 22964 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
  
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.