Finance Officer – P4  

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Finance’s objectives are to support Country Offices, Regional Offices and Headquarters in all financial matters to ensure precise and timely services to colleagues throughout the Organization, including hosted entities.Financial services include accounting, financial policy andreporting, treasury, investments, Staff Health Insurance, pension and other insurances. The primary output is the annual financial statements, including managing the external audit. Maintaining transparency, accountability and trust in WHO by all stakeholders is key and providing the best customer service possible, facilitating access to benefit entitlements for the WHO family worldwide and efficient processing of all related benefits using innovative technology.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Finance Officer reports to the Director, Policy, Compliance and Performance. The role consists of supporting the Contracts Review Committee (approximately 50%), and providing financial management functions (50%).

A. Duties of Secretary, CRC:

(1) Track, analyze and summarize incoming requests for CRC clearance and make recommendations to CRC members for CRC decision.

Prepare special analyses and correspondence for Chair CRC with regard to pending submissions.

Respond to queries/requests for advice from CRC members and staff in submitting cases.

Follow-up pending cases; correspond with programmes on CRC requests for clarifications.

 In conjunction with the WHO Procurement unit, provide guidance on CRC procedures.

(2) Maintain and administer the CRC electronic database and the physical CRC Master File.

Prepare regular reports and statistics regarding the CRC caseload, value, trends and other analytical issues related to CRC performance.

Prepare reports and analysis on CRC observations, and incorrect submissions, and recommend policy or other solutions to address recurring issues.

 Act as focal point for CRC matters vis-a-vis internal and external auditor and the IEOAC.

(3) Liaise with the regional CRCs; the Global Service Centre (“GSC”);the Contract and Procurement Services (“CPS”); the Office of the Legal Counsel (“LEG”) and other services involved in WHO procurement and contractual services and act as catalyst for change in adopting and harmonizing best practices across the Organization; draft CRC-related procedural documentation for the e-Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”) etc.

 Propose policy recommendations with regard to best practices regarding the maintenance and improvement of WHO’s procurement practices, based on competitive selection and best value for money principles.

B. The Finance Officer:

(1) Provide project management, advice and coordination support to FNM’s financial management and focus on improvement initiatives; advise and support all FNM units, and clients,on financial management strategies and related improvement initiatives.

 (2) Provide support to monitor, analyse and provide authoritative guidance and address requests received from budget, finance and programme staff in HQ technical units and regional/country offices on the application of expenditure policies and procedures, and audit requests. Support the periodic closure processes.

(3) Perform other tasks as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in finance, accounting or business administration, and professional accounting qualification such as CA,CPA, ACCA, CIPFA or other equivalent formal qualification.

Experience

Essential: A minimum seven years of progressive financial managerial experience in large,complex, international organization, preferably with decentralized operations.

Experience working with International Public Service Accounting Standards(“IPSAS”) or International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

Desirable:

Experience managing contract review committees.

Experience using both finance and procurement modules of ERP systems (Workday or Oracle preferred).

Skills

Integrity, tact, discretion Ability to recommend and interpret administrative and financial policies and systems.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team with multi-cultural backgrounds in a multi-disciplinary management service environment.

Promoting excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to effectively maintain a global network of finance professionals.

Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of international accounting and financial management.

Strong knowledge of procurement procedures.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Setting an example

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 77,326 (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 5967 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 E-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 [email protected]
• 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 shortlisted candidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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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