Org. Setting and Reporting
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Finance: – Organize and lead the International Bureau’s Accounting, Budget, Controlling and Corporate Treasury Programmes; – Manage relations with the External Auditor and facilitate its audits of the UPU accounts; – Supervise the management of clearing activities and participate in the development of those activities; – Represent the UPU among UPU bodies on subjects related to the incumbent’s areas of activity. 1 Accounting, budget and treasury i General accounting – Lead and manage teams made up of experts and assistants, including organizing their work flows, setting objectives, carrying out evaluations, ensuring ongoing development, monitoring and validating work, and providing direction on complex issues; – Take responsibility for and organize the keeping of the accounts of the Union, ensuring that they are compliant with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and monitoring the regularity of the accounts (including the procedures); – Ensure the technical compliance of the financial operating report with the applicable standards (IPSAS, International Standards on Auditing (ISA), etc.); – Develop and establish the specific rules, instructions and procedures for the application of those standards; – Provide authoritative advice and guidance to resolve difficult and unusual cases and in relation to the organization’s financial practices; – Ensure coordination with other UPU directorates and units and inform them of their accounting requirements; – Oversee the progress of accounting work; – Ensure that the financial operating reports of the Union are prepared, and check, validate and finalize these reports; – Organize and carry out the monthly and annual closings in a timely fashion. ii Corporate treasury – Oversee the management of corporate UPU funds, follow market developments, provide guidance and authorize investment operations; – Manage the loan on the building; – Decide, within the authorized framework, on investment proposals from external partners (banks and Swiss Confederation); – Ensure compliance with the DFI regulations. iii Budget and controlling – Oversee the annual budgetary process and the budgets for each cycle, as well as providing guidance to the Expert, monitoring implementation of the budget, recommending re-programming, and conducting the necessary consultations; – Make recommendations to the Director on sensitive budget issues; – Arbitrate major issues according to International Bureau priorities and strategy; – Provide authoritative advice and guidance to resolve difficult and unusual cases and in relation to the organization’s budgetary and controlling practices; – Control and approve outcome documents to be submitted to the Council of Administration for approval, which will serve as a guide for the period in question. iv Relations with the External Auditor – Negotiate the audit schedule and the documents to be delivered as part of the interim and annual audits; – Organize, check and sign off on the documents prepared by the teams and the official audit documents to be submitted (including the financial statements); – Prepare replies relating to the area of responsibility. 2 Clearing – Supervise and operationally coordinate clearing activities (UPU*Clearing and PPS*Clearing); – Participate in the development of strategies for the clearing/settlement system for postal financial services and in developments related to the UPU*Clearing/PPS*Clearing systems for the settlement of postal accounts; – Supervise and coordinate activities to expand the UPU*Clearing/PPS*Clearing systems. 3 UPU bodies – Contribute to the preparation of documents to be submitted by the Finance Directorate to the bodies of the Union (Congress, Council of Administration, Postal Operations Council), particularly in relations to the accounts; – Prepare and present documents to member countries on request; – Serve as Assistant Secretary of the Finance and Administration Committee in relation to financial areas by helping to prepare meeting reports. 4 Team management and miscellaneous – Lead and motivate teams under the responsibility of the incumbent; – Plan the work to be undertaken by supervisors responsible for the various finance activities of the International Bureau; – Organize work and provide technical support where appropriate; – Set annual objectives and evaluate performance; – Ensure the ongoing development of staff members; – Manage leave, absences and overtime, as well as replacements when required; – Lead cross-cutting projects related to the accounts, budget and treasury (standards, procedures, new software, etc.); – Represent the UPU in external meetings on matters related to the incumbent’s areas of activity; – Enterprise resource planning (ERP): serve as the counterpart of the IT supplier of the ERP tool and to the Postal Technology Centre (PTC), manage relations with the supplier and PTC in case of changes, migrations, etc.; – Act as the finance super-user for the ERP (maintenance of chart of accounts, analytical codes, support to users, etc.).
Competencies
Professionalism: Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions, and for the consequences of these. Produces and delivers high-quality results. Drives change and improvement, continually searching for new ways to position the organization for success. Ensures that knowledge and learning is shared across the organization and encourages staff to learn from each other. Ethics: Ensures that personal views and convictions do not compromise ethical principles. Understands and behaves in accordance with the UPU’s professional, ethical and legal framework. Does not abuse power or authority vested by functions. Respects commitments and promises made to internal and external partners. Promptly confronts unprofessional or unethical behaviours and takes immediate appropriate action. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion. Focus on results • Seeks to achieve expected outputs within the agreed timeframe; • Ensures competent delivery with minimal supervision, even under pressure and with constantly changing priorities; • Keeps supervisors informed of challenges encountered and solutions found. • Quickly identifies issues and the right person to provide solutions, and shows strong client orientation in business dealings; • Explores the options for finding innovative solutions to improve work processes and results; • Remains focused and keeps morale high when faced with adversity; • Reallocates resources quickly and effectively when faced with unforeseen events • Provides high-quality advice in their area of expertise; • Possesses excellent judgement and decision-making abilities; • Anticipates new trends, patterns and challenges, and identifies opportunities to promote the medium- and long-term goals of the UPU; • Encourages supervisees to think outside the box and to find creative solutions to problems. Teamwork • Works collaboratively with team members to achieve results; • Shows respect to other members of the team, regardless of gender or of cultural, educational or religious background; • Seeks help when needed in order to achieve set goals; • Shares information on issues that may affect the team and respects confidentiality; • Accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings. 3 • Encourages cooperation among staff within the programme and directorate and across the organization; • Collects and assesses information on a broad range of issues related to the team’s work and seeks common solutions; • Encourages others to be innovative in order to improve outcomes • Creates an empowering and motivating environment, encouraging team members to work together; • Delegates work appropriately, providing staff with the necessary support to meet their objectives; • Clarifies strategies and goals with supervisees and acts as a role model to foster enthusiasm and energy at work; • Ensures that knowledge and learning is shared within the programme and directorate and across the organization, and encourages staff to learn from each others. Team management • Demonstrates the ability to delegate responsibility, motivate and lead, and provide effective coaching and performance feedback; • Coordinates the activities of the team; • Delegates work efficiently within the team and evaluates the team’s work in a timely and fair manner; • Clearly communicates work expectations and defines successful indicators; • Takes ownership of the team’s problems and seeks sustainable solutions; • Recognizes team participation and rewards individual contributions; • Ensures a good planning of work and regularly reassesses priorities to ensure delivery of the expected outcomes; • Motivates team members to strive for excellence. • Aligns existing UPU projects with the strategy in place, providing clear guidelines for long-term projects; • Takes responsibility for the team’s results and failures and encourages the team to always seek improvement Job-related competencies: 1 Ability to see the bigger picture and capacity for analysis and synthesis 2 Leadership and decision making 3 Rigour and precision in work 4 Ability to plan work, manage priorities and take decisions 5 Ability to apply connected thinking and work as part of a team 6 Oral communication skills to present complex figures to all audiences 7 Ability to prepare documents with complex figures, as well as procedures, rules and instructions
Education
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of financial management and accounting or economics
Job – Specific Qualification
1. Very good knowledge of international accounting standards (IPSAS) and their application is required 2. Very good knowledge of accounting and budgeting techniques is required 3. Very good knowledge of financial and management rules applicable at the International Bureau is required 4. Good knowledge of relational databases and accounting software (preferably Navision) is required 5. Good knowledge of investment products and cash management techniques is required 6. Good knowledge of office software (Windows applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required 7. Knowledge of auditing (as an asset) is desirable
Work Experience
10 years’ experience with a master’s degree or 12 years’ experience with a bachelor’s degree, in the field of accounting, treasury or financial management is required
Languages
Proficiency in English or French with a working knowledge of the other language
Assessment
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.
Special Notice
Annual salary:(Net of tax) 92,731 USD Post adjustment: 93.5 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) appointment Duration: Three years Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau. The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence. Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year). Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process. The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms. At the discretion of the UPU, such background checks may also be extended to include criminal records, disciplinary measures, sexual exploitation and abuse, and professional license check validation.
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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.