Assistant Budget and Finance Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To provide accounting policy guidance and support across the SEA Region. Ensure effective financial controls exist and are properly managed through guidance and post-facto checking, as well as ex-ante certification when required. Ensure that income is managed appropriately for all sources of funding, and advise budget centres on all aspects of income and awards management. Monitor the General Ledger (GL) and Sub-ledgers (SL) and take actions where necessary to correct errors. Coordinate the monthly and annual financial closure processes at country and regional level. Monitor and follow-up audit recommendations in the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Reporting to the Budget and Finance Officer (BFO), the Assistant Budget and Finance Officer ensures the day-to-day management of the Budget and Finance teams within Budget and Finance Unit (BFU),The specific duties include the following:

Manages three teams i.e. Accounting and Treasury; Financial Compliance and Country Support; and Staff Health Insurance (SHI), plans and organizes work, identifies priorities and provides close day to day supervision and dialogue opportunities.

Ensures the integrity of the General Ledger; the reconciliation and clearance of SEARO GL accounts; manages SEAR Trial Balance, monthly, annual and biennial closures; carry out general ledger analysis and do related follow ups ensuring qualitatively high integrity of the GL and SL balances.

Ensures that all payments made at SEARO are effected correctly, timely and recorded accurately, bank and cash balances are within the ceilings and reconciled on a timely basis. Collaborate with PPC for biennial budget development process, identifying and reporting funding/budgeting problems.

Collaborate with Budget Centres and Planning Unit for HR Plan management including ensuring that positions are accurately mapped in GSM, review and advise on budget ceilings, perform budgets analysis under HR plans and advise funding shortfalls/savings.

Ensures effective Award Management for SEAR awards including submission of financial implementation reports, reviewing and analyzing financial implementation reports to identify gaps and coordinating with Budget Centres.

Preparation of briefings for high level meetings and provide inputs for any related meeting documents.

Ensures that SHI claims are processed on a timely basis and in line with SHI rules and regulations, provide assistance to BFO for submissions to the SHI Global Standing Committee meetings, provide guidance on SHI matters.

Supervises and report on the findings of the post-facto financial compliance checking work; establishes routine for carrying out the compliance work; suggests and implements improvements to the procedures, ensures all relevant business areas are checked on a rolling basis during the biennium.

Performs analysis on the findings of the team and submits reports regularly to the BFO based on the analysis for further reporting to the executive management; assists BFO in the preparation of presentations and briefings for high level meetings.

Assists BFO on audit, financial compliance issues, Regional Review missions and analyzing the results across different mission reports to improve financial compliance in all areas of the SEA Region.

Acts as focal point for the SEAR eImprest accounts and maintains an effective relationship with the SEAR country offices on all financial issues as well as global finance (FNM) at HQ, and the GSC.

Proposes alternative methods and approaches to streamline and improve processes; provide advice on policies and procedures.

Coordinates in close collaboration with Staff Development and Learning (SDL) unit, and delivers training on Budget, finance and accounting issues, including and specifically financial compliance to staff, BFU essential trainings for Country Offices and SEARO staff.

Supports BFO in financial analysis and preparing briefings and working papers for statutory meetings like Regional Committee (RC), Sub-Committee on Policy and Programme Development and Management (SPPDM), Meeting of WHO Representatives with Regional Director (WRs meeting), etc.

Acts for the BFO in his/ her absence and assists him/her in managing the BFU unit as and when necessary.

Any other duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in accounting or finance and a. professional accounting qualification (such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent)
Desirable: Training in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and master’s degree would be an advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least five years’ of relevant experience in finance with some of it obtained in an international context.
Desirable: WHO/UN experience in accounting using ERP systems.

Skills

Demonstrated skills and experience in finance, accounting management and reporting, with the ability to analyze data and recommend appropriate actions and to prepare reporting documents.

Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting and financial management.

Excellent understanding of financial principles and financial rules and regulations, ability to interpret policy and apply correctly

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2479 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

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• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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