Accountant

Posting Title:	Accountant, P3
Job Code Title:	ACCOUNTANT
Department/Office:	United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund - Pension Administration
Duty Station:	NEW YORK
Posting Period:	24 June 2020 - 07 August 2020
Job Opening Number:	20-Finance-UNJSPF PA-137544-R-New York (O)
Staffing Exercise	N/A

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located the Payments Section of the Financial Services Section within the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

The incumbent reports to the chief of Payroll Unit under the general supervision by the chief of the Payments Section. The Payments Section manages monthly payroll for the UNJSPF periodic benefits, updates cost-of-living adjustments, and administers returned payments and Accounts Payable. Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, Accountants will be responsible for the following duties: • Analyses and reviews/evaluates exchange rates and ASHI (After Service Health Insurance) deductions. Reviews/reconciles payroll records after cost-of-living adjustments. Conducts/monitors payroll closing process and reconciles payroll reports. Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in the payroll closing processing, resolving them in a timely and effective manner. • Approves/Confirms payroll transactions (e.g., change of PI, deduction, suspension/reinstatement, deletion, payroll correspondence and etc.) in accordance with the Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF. • Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Assists, prepares or consolidates financial statements and required items to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations. • Provides advice and guidance concerning the UNJSPF Regulations and Rules, general procedures and practice. • Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions. • Keeps abreast and provides guidance on the monthly payroll related to the testing of the Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS) procedures. • Defines requirements and works with systems units with respect to production of relevant payroll reports in the IPAS and BI Dashboard. • Participates in the development of banking templates and payroll policies. • Provides information needed to respond to audit findings. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration is required At least three years of experience in payroll processing is desirable. Experience in multi-currency payroll processing is desirable. Experience in the implementation of payroll/financial systems is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat.

On the basis of the MoU and in light of the status of the UNJSPF, it was decided that General Services staff members at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels shall be eligible to apply to the positions in this job opening, provided they meet the requirements of the positions as set forth in this job opening. If selected, a General Service staff member would be required to resign from their appointment in the General Service category and be reappointed on a fixed-term appointment limited to service with the UNJSPF. The period of ineligibility for re-employment following resignation shall not apply to such staff resigning from the General Service or related category to take up the functions of these positions in the Fund secretariat. Any candidate from a member organization of the UNJSPF applying for this post is considered as an internal candidate provided he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promotion procedures applicable in his/her respective organization. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. APPLY HERE

Tags: United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)