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.