Accountant (Alternative Investments), P3

Posting Title:	Accountant (Alternative Investments), P3
Job Code Title:	ACCOUNTANT
Department/Office:	United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund – Office of Investment Management
Duty Station:	NEW YORK
Posting Period:	10 June 2020 - 24 July 2020
Job Opening Number:	20-Finance-UNJSPF OIM-137000-R-New York (R)
Staffing Exercise	N/A

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG heads the Office of Investment Management (OIM), which manages a $60+ billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and commodities. OIM’s staff are all based in New York but come from over 30 countries. For more information please visit OIM's website at https://oim.unjspf.org/.

This position is located in the Operations Section of OIM. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Accountant, and general guidance of the Chief, Operations Section. Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, Accountant (Alternative Investments) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Analyses accounts and reviews/reconciles regular financial reports for Alternative investments portfolio. Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner. • Approves/Confirms management fees expenditure for Alternative investments portfolio in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN and relevant investment related agreements/contracts. • Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Assists in preparation Alternative investments information for inclusion in the UNJSPF IPSAS Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations. • Provides advice and guidance concerning the UNJSPF Financial Regulations and Rules and Accounting Instructions. • Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions. • Monitors, analyses, and approves transactions for entry into the accounting system. • Works and coordinates with the Funds custodian, third party vendor and the Information Systems Section, in the installation and administration of system for private real assets, alternative and other investments. • Defines requirements and works with systems units with respect to production of relevant financial reports. • Participates in the development of accounting policies. • Provides information needed to respond to audit findings. • Performs other related duties as required. Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of tax accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in investment 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. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • 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. Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in investment accounting and finance or related field is required. Experience in alternative investments (i.e. private equity, real assets) sector is required. Experience in accounting for real assets and private equity structures is desirable. Experience in alternative investment management software/platform is desirable. Experience using word processing and spreadsheet applications including functions like pivot tables, lookup functions, creating graphs are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial disclosure Programme. An appointment to the Office of Investment Management (OIM) of the UNJSPF additionally requires compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to OIM's Code of Ethics, Personal Securities, Gift and Hospitality policies. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • 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.

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. No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Tags: United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF)