Accounting Officer, P-2, New York Tuesday 30, AUGUST 2011

Purpose:

Under the guidance of the Accountant, you will be responsible for ensuring that the newly-acquired, constructed or donated Property Plant and Equipment, Intangibles, Other Receivables and Other Assets are recorded and valued accurately, and that Leases are classified and accounted for correctly.

Qualification:

University degree in Accounting, Finance, banking or related technical field. Professional Accounting such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or an Advanced degree in Accounting is an asset.

• At least two years of work experience in positions of increasing responsibility in the field of accounting. Some experience of supervising is preferred.
• Strong IT skills, including MICROSOFT Excel and Word software
• Experience working with International Financial Accounting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
• Experience working with enterprise resources management (ERP) systems; SAP highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the UN system
• Fluency in English and another UN language.

Key Expected Results:

1. Perform lease accounting. In consultation with the Accountant, review premises arrangements (globally) and other leases (HQ), determine their proper accounting treatment, and ensure that they are recorded accurately. Monitor the capitalization of capital and leasehold improvements, and the recording and use of restoration costs.
2. Perform accounting for Property, Plant and Equipment. Ensure the completeness and accuracy of the PPE recorded. Review capital expenditure for eligibility of recognition as Assets Under Construction/ Property, Plant and Equipment. Review results of stock counts, impairment testing and amounts of impairment losses, and book resulting accounting adjustments.
3. Ensure the accuracy and transparency of other accounts receivables (including cash transfers), other assets and exchange revenue. In consultation with the Accountant, review contacts and agreements to determine appropriate accounting, review bills and follow up on outstanding amounts. Monitor miscellaneous unapplied receipts.
4. Perform accounting for Intangible Assets. Review and analyze development costs for eligibility of recognition as intangibles under development. Ensure that all relevant costs are captured, and make relevant accounting entries. Review results of impairment testing, and update records accordingly.
5. Review and process approved global write-off requests related to UNICEF’s assets, once approved by the Comptroller, according to UNICEF’s policies and procedures. Ensure that assets are accurately valued.
6. Provide technical guidance to field office and HQ staff. Identify and provide feedback and suggestions to management related to improvements to UNICEF’s policies, procedures, processes and financial systems and related programs.
7. Perform periodic processing activities including making adjusting entries, reviewing data, and other activities, as needed.

Competencies:

Communicates effectively. - Sets high levels of quality and productivity for self. - Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment. - Accepts changes in circumstances when presented with them. - Analyzes and integrates verbal, numerical and other types of data. - Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise. - Ensures that team or department follows relevant company policies and procedures. - Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self, own team or department.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-001421. Applications must be received by 9 September 2011. Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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System Accountant, P-3, New York Tuesday 30, AUGUST 2011

Purpose:

Under the general guidance of the Financial Reporting Accountant, organise and control the financial accounting system. You will coordinate and monitor periodic processing activities including, opening and closing periods, uploading data and executing programs (e.g., foreign exchange revaluation). Analyze results, investigate and follow up on issues. Serve as the primary liaison between DFAM - Accounts Section and Information Technology Solutions and Services Division (ITSSD).

Qualification:

Professional Accounting or Auditing Qualification (such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or equivalent) or an Advanced degree in Accounting or related field. Preference will be given to holders of Professional Accounting qualifications or equivalent.*

• At least 5 years progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial auditing, including experience working in a managerial role.
• Experience in maintaining, managing, or utilizing enterprise resource systems, preferably SAP.
• Experience working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
• Knowledge of the UN system.
• Experience in the non-profit sector or working internationally
• Excellent computer skills required, including experience in maintaining, managing or utilizing enterprise resource system, preferably SAP.
• Fluency in English and another UN language.

*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Key Expected Results:

1. Executes periodic processing activities including: opening and closing periods, uploading data, and executing programs (e.g., foreign exchange revaluation, etc.). Coordinate global manual and systematic period closing activities. Monitor compliance rates globally to ensure the closing process is complete for all locations. Identify anomalies in the execution of the periodic activities and escalate to supervisor timely for resolution.
2. Liaises with ITSS, other HQ sections/divisions and field offices on system issues and reporting requirements based on instructions and solutions provided by supervisor. Contribute to identification of systems issues and reporting requirements possible solutions. Support the design of financial systems structures.
3. Maintains UNICEF’s master data; specifically general ledger accounts and certain vendor master data groups. Ensure that there are adequate controls in place in establishing master data based on UNICEF’s risk management policies and that it remains accurate and valid by performing periodic cleansing activities. Update the chart of accounts, and maintain the related glossary of definitions, as required and in compliance with IPSAS.
4. Provides technical advice and guidance to country offices and HQ staff based on policies and procedures established in official UNICEF documentation. Identify and provide feedback and suggestions to management related to improvements to the system, reports and UNICEF’s policies, procedures and processes. Facilitate the development and implementation of financial systems structures and participate in designing automated systems of accounting and reporting.

Competencies:

Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

• Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Ensures that team or department follows relevant company policies and procedures.
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
• Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
• Sets clearly defined objectives and produces comprehensive project plans for the organization.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-001423. Applications must be received by 16 September 2011. Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Business Systems Analyst, Information Services/Lawson

PSI is a leading global health organization with programs targeting malaria, child survival, HIV and reproductive health. Working in partnership within the public and private sectors, and harnessing the power of the markets, PSI provides life-saving products, clinical services and behavior change communications that empower the world's most vulnerable populations to lead healthier lives.

PSI's core values are a belief in markets and market mechanisms to contribute to sustained improvements in the lives of the poor; results and a strong focus on measurement; speed and efficiency with a predisposition to action and an aversion to bureaucracy; decentralization and empowering our staff at the local level; and a long term commitment to the people we serve. PSI has programs in 67 countries. For more information, please visit www.psi.org.

PSI seeks applicants for the position of Business Systems Analyst for Supply Chain Management (SCM). This position is responsible for implementing and supporting the Lawson ERP system in designated PSI field offices. This includes conducting Business Needs Assessments; delivering training for the Lawson Procurement suite; and providing extended support to field offices and HQ as needed. This position is high paced and requires motivated individuals who can follow directions; work independently as well as with a team and liaise with multiple functional departments. The position is based in Washington DC and will report to the Technical Project Manager. International travel is required.

Project Background PSI has implemented an organization-wide financial management system using the Lawson software suites. The system was implemented in Washington DC; Kenya; Uganda; South Africa; Zimbabwe; Nepal; Cambodia; Zambia and Tanzania. The goal is to implement the system to a select group of PSI field offices in the coming years.

RESPONSIBILITIES: • Conduct Business Needs Assessments to gather required data from field offices • Analyze country business requirements and make appropriate design decisions • Configure required setup for each field office within the system • Prepare and update design documents • Conduct system tests to validate system design • Assist with reconciling starting balances between the legacy systems and Lawson • Assist with gathering all user information required for security configuration • Prepare end-user training materials including sandbox exercises and online courses • Deliver the end-user training program at local field offices
• Ensure end-users are certified and ready to use the Lawson system when the office goes live • Communicate project status to headquarters and field staff • Identify issues that could adversely impact the “go live” • Provide post “go live” support on a variety of issues • Update internal support sites to ensure communication of system information in a timely manner • Provide on-going application support to HQ and field offices • Lead periodic support calls with field offices and HQ staff to facilitate business integration and collaboration • Contribute to a monthly newsletter • International travel to PSI platforms

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree; SCM knowledge • Minimum 5 + years professional work experience • Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, and strong analytical/problem solving capabilities • Experience with software implementation, including requirements analysis and training • Experience using and training on Lawson or other large enterprise-wide systems a plus • Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with technical staff, end users and management • Excellent interpersonal, communications and computer skills • Excellent organizational and multitasking capabilities • Excellent written skills using Microsoft Word or comparable tool • Knowledge of Power Point, Visio or other presentation tools • Fluency in English is required, French or Spanish a plus

Preference will be given to candidates with experience with software implementation, strong understanding of finance, procurement or inventory; and experience with training end-users on using a software application.

Please apply online at www.psi.org. No calls or emails, please. PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

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Project Design and Strategic Planning Specialist Washington, D.C. THURSDAY 28, AUGUST 2011

Project Design and Strategic Planning Specialist

Washington, D.C.

Company Profile: Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project/Proposal Summary:

MSI is currently seeking a Project Design and Strategic Planning Specialist as part of a two-year project, with three, one year options to support a USAID-funded comprehensive performance management system project. The objective of this project is to develop and manage a support center, which will provide technical assistance in the areas of strategic planning, project design, and evaluation to USAID staff in Washington as well as to Missions overseas.

Position Summary:

The Project Design and Strategic Planning Specialist is part of a five-person team based in Washington. The Project Design and Strategic Planning Specialist will be responsible for overseeing all technical support activities and guidance related to Project Design, Strategic Planning and CDCS development. He/she will report to the Service Center Manager and work with the Evaluation Methods Specialists on technical support activities, as necessary. The position will be based in Washington, DC, near the RRB and will be at a F/T level of effort.

Responsibilities:

Work effectively with the Service Center Manager and USAID staff in Washington and overseas;
Provide support to Missions in ensuring that their CDCS is developed in accordance with the latest guidance  
Guide USAID staff in the development of program strategies, across a variety of technical sectors;
Support Missions in the development of SOWs for project design consultants;
Support USAID’s newly recruited staff to develop MOUs for learning experience and deliverables;
Guide Resident Consultants, Short-Term Consultants, and Assistant Coordinators as advised by the Service Center Manager and COTR;
    Ensure deliverables are of the highest quality of work.

Qualifications:

M.A. in international development or related social sciences, PhD preferred;
Ten years of experience developing country strategies for USAID Missions;
Ten years of experience developing program designs across a minimum of three technical sectors;
Experience training USAID staff on program design and strategic planning;
    Experience facilitating strategic planning workshops for USAID Missions;
    Experience mentoring newly recruited USAID staff in program design, strategic planning;
    Fluency in English required;
    Excellent English-writing skills.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

To apply, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com.

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Local Municipal Governance/Decentralization Expert, Local Governance, Albania THURSDAY 28, AUGUST 2011

Local Municipal Governance/Decentralization Expert, Local Governance, Albania

Company Profile: Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary:

MSI is applying for the Albania Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP), which will be funded by USAID. The purpose of PLGP is to provide training and technical assistance to the Government of Albania (GOA) and local governments to help implement decentralization legislation and reforms; improve transparency and accountability; strengthen municipal services; and improve technical capabilities and cooperation regarding urban and regional planning between the GOA and local governments.

Position Summary:

The Municipal Governance/Decentralization Expert will support decentralization structural and policy analysis; facilitate dialogue and understanding among municipalities and regional coalitions with GOA ministries; facilitate cooperation and coalition-building among municipalities; and provide technical support to municipal and regional efforts to improve collaboration regarding the quality-, and cost-effectiveness of municipal services. The Municipal Governance/ Decentralization Expert will also provide technical assistance and coordinate training opportunities for municipal officers and regional coalitions in project planning and development for funding consideration by the GOA, European Union, and other international donors. The Municipal Governance/Decentralization Expert must be willing to make a commitment of up to three (3) years to the project and will be based in Tirana, Albania.

Responsibilities:

• Support collaboration and cooperation among municipal governments through understanding of decentralization issues and advocating for improve municipal capacity in services, revenues, and economic growth; • Support the identification of common interests among municipalities via briefings, conferences, and workshops to build cooperation toward advocating and achieving common interests; • Assess the skills of municipal service providers; the quality of municipal services; and support identification and analysis of ways to improve municipal services, including through regional cooperation where appropriate; • Support implementation of the project’s municipal training and technical assistance program in consultation with officials from participating municipalities and regional coalitions; • Advise the GOA, municipalities, and regional coalitions on decentralization implementation, policy, structural, and regional service improvement strategies, opportunities, and projects; • Support opportunities for regional cooperation on economic development projects, particularly those involving cooperation among municipal governments, business leaders, and citizens; • Monitor and assess the project’s municipal service training and technical assistance; • Facilities regional collaboration regarding implementation of the decentralization and municipal governance laws and policies; • Support project assessments, studies, or project development opportunities regarding municipal governance services and/or economic growth; • Support the collection project data and assist in writing project proposals and reports; • Support building a strong network of municipalities with a vision and strategy for improved municipal services and economic growth.

Only Albanian citizens are eligible for this position.

Qualifications: a. A citizen of Albania willing to commit to the full five (5) years of the Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP). b. At least three (3) years of experience working in local governance/decentralization in Albania. c. Three (3) to five (5) years of experience managing donor projects in local governance, decentralization, or related areas. d. Knowledge of local governance and decentralization, local governance reform issues, networks, and leaders in Albania. e. Strong track record of successfully managing teams of technical experts to define and achieve complex goals in urban and regional planning. f. Strong technical skills and knowledge in spatial planning; familiarity with European standards and planning policies. g. Preferred advanced degree in public administration, economics, law, or a related field. h. Excellent English language reading, speaking, writing skills.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

To apply, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com.

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