PURPOSE OF POSITION

 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France. The objective of IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

 

The role of the Services to Science and Research branch (SSR), led by the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), is to support the achievement of IARC’s scientific objectives through efficient and effective management of the Agency’s resources; and provision of administrative, legal and operational support services, ensuring accountable risk mitigation and implementing strategies to strengthen capacities and maximize IARC’s impact.

 

The Finance Office is a unit within the Budget and Finance Office (BFO), Section of Support to Research (SSR), responsible for providing supports to various programmes and activities of IARC in respect of financial services such as payments, payroll, travel advance/reimbursements, etc. and managing IARC accounts in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

 

The incumbent will provide efficient and effective specialized and comprehensive budget management services and reporting to IARC branches.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Budget Officer, the incumbent performs the following duties:

 

 

1.      Supports IARC branches in budget preparation and planning:

1.1.    Prepares budget in relation to the submission of project and budget proposals of the branches for the development of the Regular Budget.

1.2.    Prepares budget for grant applications submitted by scientists on the basis of scientific proposals and taking into account respective donor regulations.

1.3.    Provides advice to other partners of multi-partner projects on administrative and financial aspects of research projects.

 

2.      Manages and monitors budget implementation of IARC branches with a view to optimizing use of funds, including but not limited to the following:

 

2.1   Clearing obligation documents (POs, TAs, CRAs, staff contracts, APW, etc.) in accordance with established delegations of authority.

2.2   Ensuring accurate establishment of commitment amounts to avoid over-expenditure; and that commitments are established in compliance with the IARC financial rules, IPSAS and donor’s regulations.

2.3   Keeping branch heads informed about their respective budgetary situation by providing implementation reports quarterly and other financial analysis, as requested.

 

3.      Monitors financial implementation of donor agreements and prepares financial reports for donor reporting, including but not limited to the following: 

 

3.1   Keeping scientific and other staff informed about funding conditions.

3.2   Analysing budget variances and providing explanation.

3.3   Following up on outstanding payments.

3.4   Preparing and coordinating financial statements and status reports for donors in compliance with the relevant procedures.

3.5   Following up, checking and consolidating budgets and cost-statements received from collaborators in multi-partner research projects (such as consortium and partnership agreements with the EC).

3.6   Liaising with donors and partner institutions, as necessary.

 

4.      Monitors the financial implementation of CRAs:

 

4.1   Clearing the financial reports from research partners.

4.2   Initiating payments in accordance with contractual payment schedules.

 

5.      Other duties:

 

5.1   Creates fund centers in the ERP system for Regular Budget, and other budgets approved by the Governing Council, the Director and DAF.

5.2   Releases approved budget in the ERP system for all branches.

5.3   Participates in the monthly and annual closure of accounts, as required.

5.4   Back stops for colleagues within the Budget Office as necessary to ensure smooth performance of activities. Answers queries relating to assigned tasks and performs other related duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

 

 

WHO COMPETENCIES

 

·        Producing results.

 

·        Teamwork.

 

·        Communication.

 

·        Moving forward in a changing environment.

 

·        Knowing and managing yourself.

 

 

 

SKILLS

 

·        Excellent organizational skills and ability to work as a member of a team complemented by good interpersonal skills and ability to work in multicultural environment.

 

·        Knowledge of IARC/WHO rules and established procedures.

 

·        Demonstrated superior analytical and problem solving skills.

 

·        Concern for accuracy and details in particular when working under pressure and/or meeting conflicting demands.

 

·        Tact and discretion.

 

·        Familiarity with relevant Office software (Word, Excel), and ERP system.

 

 

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

 

Essential:  Graduation from secondary school or equivalent complemented by specialized training in accounting or business training at BTS level, with knowledge of budgeting practices and procedures. Training in use of office software and other office modern technologies.

 

Desirable: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent of DCG. Knowledge in IPSAS or IFRS. A professional designation in accounting such as Chartered Accountant (CA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or “Expert-Compatible” qualification.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Essential: At least eight years of professional experience in similar positions. Experience in a national or international organization/institution to have a sound knowledge of its rules, regulations, and procedures within the area of budget and/or finance.

 

Desirable: Some experience in a governmental and/or an international institution.

 

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of French or English with good knowledge of the other language.

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 4,174 per month. The amount is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness, and disability.

 

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.

Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

 

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

·        This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at same grade level or lower.

·        This post is subject to local recruitment and will ideally be filled by persons residing within the local commuting area of the duty station.

·        Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

·        A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.

·        If 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. IARC/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 noting that first year of fixed term contracts is a probationary period which may be extended subject to performance evaluation.

·        For information on IARC’s operations please visit: https://www.iarc.who.int, and for more general information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·        IARC/WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The IARC/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.

·        IARC/WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Participating States  https://www.iarc.who.int/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-iarc are strongly encouraged to apply for IARC/WHO jobs. 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 [email protected]

·        An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. IARC/WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the IARC/WHO Values Charter https://www.iarc.who.int/about-iarc-who-ethics into practice.

·        IARC/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 IARC/WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to IARC/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, IARC/WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

·        IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

·        IARC/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 fully express and develop their talents.

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