Treasurer and Senior Advisor, Financial Services and Systems

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 the accounting policies and procedures, in accordance with PAHO’s Financial Regulations and Rules; processes the disbursement of funds; prepares the financial statements of the Organization; 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 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:

Risk Management

The identification and mitigation of risks stemming from cash flows, investments, and financial counterparty risks

The regular preparation and execution of hedging strategy for foreign exchange risk, recommendations on type of financial instruments and asset allocation

Oversight and internal controls, applying best practices with respect to receipts and disbursement and the management of the Organization's financial assets at both headquarters and the country offices

Liquidity Management

Monitor the US Dollar and local currency requirements. Provide daily liquidity to PAHO operations. This involves forecasts of cash flows based on historical and seasonal trends, ageing of encumbrances and anticipated cashflows. Cash flow is prioritized to meet the organization’s contractual obligations and program needs

Direct the notification, collection and follow-up actions for the receipt of assessed contributions due from Member States and oversee the preparation of monthly and ad hoc reports to management; prepare documentation on collections of assessed contributions for the Directing Council’s Working Party on Article 6.B, including analysis, letters and draft resolutions, as well as the presentation given by the Chair of the Working Party

Portfolio Management

Maximize the return on the investment of a current portfolio within approved risk tenor parameters, as well as performance benchmarks. These parameters and benchmarks are set and approved by the PAHO Investment Committee. The strategy is executed by purchasing of financial instruments amounts and tenors in accordance with Investment Committee approved limits

Serve as a participant and Secretary of the PAHO Investment Committee recommend new investment instruments and reviews of the Organization's investment policies coordinate presentations by bankers and investment advisors on portfolio management

Ensure compliance with guidelines established by the Investment Committee elicit advice from bankers/traders and analyze investment instruments reflecting the investment policy and based on the Organization’s requirements

Oversee the preparation of the Status of Investments Report and Cash Flow Report

Bank accounts and business partner management

Determine the Organization’s banking requirements including electronic banking, daily electronic balance and transaction reporting, electronic payments and electronic data required in industry standard format for auto reconciliation requirements

Develop and maintain active relationships with banking partners to ensure efficient and cost-effective provision of services

Recommend banking arrangements to support country office requirements, including the review of requests for new banking relations and services, and liaise with internal stakeholders and the Office of Legal Counsel to ensure banking documents conform to PAHO requirements

Oversee and review the preparation of required documentation to maintain business partner relationships

Oversee Treasury Operations and other responsibilities

Support functions including trade confirmation, settlement and payment,data generation, reconciliation of treasury bank accounts

Ensure effective support to financial accounting and reporting under IPSAS including keeping abreast of changes to standards, participation in working groups, systems analysis and design, and development of policies, procedures, regulations and rules

Support the closure of the financial accounts, ensuring that the Financial Services teams provide accurate and timely information in accordance with established deadlines and schedules

Plan the strategic direction of the Financial Analysis Team including: management of oversight activities; preparation of WHO and PAHO governing bodies documents, briefing books and presentations; development and dissemination of policies, procedures, regulations and rules

Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of all bank card programs, including reconciliation and ongoing monitoring of all credit card suspense accounts. Ensure comprehensive responses to oversight recommendations (Audit Committee, External Audit)

Plan the strategic direction of the Trust Funds Management Team, ensuring best practices in the administration and reporting of voluntary contributions. Participate in cross functional initiatives to support resource mobilization, project management, and donor reporting

Leverage capabilities of systems and processes. Ensure all policies and processes under Unit’s control are documented and updated in a timely manner

Support the preparation and execution of the Unit’s Biennial Workplan; develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Unit accountable for the products and services of his/her project

Participate as a subject matter expert in working groups and task forces as requested by senior management

Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability and compliance

Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and humanitarian and other donors, while optimizing staff performance; provide advice, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of expertise

Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration and a master’s degree in accounting, finance, international finance or any other field related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university. Certification in accounting, finance and investing, or treasury operations would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you must provide a copy of degrees required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by IAU/UNESCO (http://www.whed.net/). PAHO uses the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.

Experience:

Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in accounting and/or financial roles in either the private or public sector, preferably in an organization of similar or larger size. Experience with implementing international accounting standards, preferably with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). At least six years of supervisory/managerial responsibility.

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.

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: Advocates for collaboration across the Organization - Creates and encourages a climate of team- working and collaboration across the Organization; sees cooperation as a key Organizational priority and creates collaborative systems and processes to achieve Organizational goals. Actively identifies and tackles disagreements between internal and external counterparts that compromise the Organization’s goals and mandate; diplomatically facilitates the resolution of conflicts between others and ensures strategic partnerships with a range of key stakeholders; maintains and extends an effective collaborative network of individuals inside and outside the Organization.

Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Share knowledge - Articulates the Organization’s strategic objectives when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapts presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences. Shares decisions and directives of senior management and communicates them in a manner that ensures both understanding and acceptance; shares knowledge and best practice at the three Organizational levels (country, regional and global), as necessary.

Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others - Oversees and provides teams and departments with clear managerial directions which are translated from Organizational strategy. Builds a performance culture in the Organization; contributes to setting Organizational performance goals and standards; monitors Organizational performance against milestones and strategic goals; identifies and nurtures talent as appropriate. Promotes autonomy and empowerment throughout the Organization; inspires enthusiasm and a positive attitude in people towards their work and contribution to the Organization’s success.

Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.

Driving the Organization to a successful future: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment - Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization’s mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization’s value.

Technical Expertise:

Technical: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior decision-making level, in specialized functions related to the theory and practice of accounting and finance which are critical for the accurate preparation of the Organization’s financial reports. Expertise in the theory and practice of accounting and finance in order to manage and invest funds administered by the Organization. Practical knowledge of organizational development and disciplines related to general management, strategic planning, organizational change, and human resource management.

Managerial: Extensive experience in senior and progressively responsible positions in management of large public or private organizations with a substantial administrative element and requiring sensitive negotiations, high level intervention, and extensive financial negotiating and reporting. Demonstrated leadership in strategic, organizational, managerial, and analytic work in health or related sector(s).

Administrative: Experience in creation and integration of administrative procedures to deliver high quality results; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult and sensitive situations; courteous style, tact, sensitivity to confidential information; ability to establish and maintain effective team working relations at different professional levels without prejudice to disciplines, nationality, and cultural background.

Languages:

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

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US $92,731.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment:63.5% 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. Any appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual. PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities. PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct. PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution. 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.