Finance Assistant, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Job Title

FINANCE ASSISTANT, G7

Department/ Office

Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station

YAOUNDE

Posting Period

4 October 2013-3 November 2013

Job Opening number

13-FIN-ECA-26306-R-YAOUNDE (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Central Africa Sub Regional Office (SRO-CA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA),Yaounde(Cameroun). The Finance Assistant reports to the Administrative and Finance Officer (AFO).

Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Administrative and Finance Officer (AFO), and within the delegation of authority, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Process travel claims and other related entitlements with respect to official travel, medical evacuation, home leave, education grant travel, family visits, repatriation, initial appointment and travel on transfer of staff and their dependants, consultants, interpreters, translators, participants etc…
• Process travel advances and honorarium for travelling staff and consultants;
• Prepare recovery bills and notification information to staff member in relation to claims and advances;
• Settle vendor invoices for the procurement of goods and facilities and the provision of services and processing payments related to special service agreement (SSA) and institutional contracts;
• Process salary advance and monthly Salary Payments for National Staff as well as the Monthly Payment Orders (MPOs) for International Staff;
• Review and reconcile the Bank Accounts of the SRO-CA, and liaises with the banks' officials on all outstanding issues and payment instructions;
• Prepare and consolidate statement to be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the refund of the VAT paid by the SRO-CA for various financial transactions;
• Maintain financial records and monitor system to reconcile balances and track information with regard to payments and other related transactions;
• Verify disbursements, balancing books and ledgers and allocate entries in IMIS after a thorough review and analysis of the related transactions;
• Review and reconcile various clearing accounts, receivable and payable accounts and raise appropriate journal entries in IMIS; - Review the status of expenditures on a regular basis and the outstanding unliquidated obligations;
• Assist in the preparation of the budget performance reports and submissions;
• Act as an alternate approving officer, and approve obligations and disbursements according to the UN Financial Rules and Regulations;
• Perform and carry our other tasks and duties as assigned

Competencies

Professionalism :

Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment; Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance functions; Knowledge and ability to manage extra-budgetary resources; Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Client Orientation:

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients ' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Technological Awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of specialized practical work experience in accounting, finance or related field required of which 7 years should be in the UN to be able to understand and apply financial rules and regulations governing payments.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Competency based interview and technical assessment.

Special Notice

This position is for local recruitment. External applicants will be considered only if no suitable internal candidates are found. Passing the Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations. Short-listed candidates will be invited to sit for the ASAT at a later date.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.