Finance/Budget Assistant
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
(1) Provide assistance in the financial planning, management and reporting of HRP projects and in the development, monitoring and implementation of work plans:
Assist the Programme Officer in developing the budget and coordinating the work planning process;
Assist in the management of the HR/staff plan and costing; assist in monitoring implementation in GSM/SPM;
Prepare and provide regular reports to senior staff on financial implementation of projects and individual analyses on demand, based on cash flow and resources monitoring; provide advice on budget reprogramming as required;
Assist in ensuring that all project expenditures comply with work plans and budgets, and provide procedural guidance to all departmental staff in the application of financial guidelines; review RP2 research project budgets and the narrative budget justification to make sure that they are error free, align with each other and assure value for money;
Review financial reports submitted by institutions working under TSA arrangements, and follow up as needed to ensure compliance with WHO procedure and generally accepted reporting standards;
Assist the Unit Heads in forecasting financial requirements in the context of new projects and provide costings accordingly;
Conduct regular monitoring of transactions for inter-regional projects and compile financial reports and statements;
Assist in award management by award creation, distribution and workplan funding, and to follow-up on payments due from donors;
Assist in encumbrance management by providing periodic reports to departmental staff and take necessary action.
(2) Assist the Programme Officer, Unit Heads and Director on financial matters encountered in the course of project implementation:
Review documents with financial implications for the Department to ensure accuracy and adherence to WHO rules and procedures, proposing modifications as appropriate;
Respond to routine and ad hoc queries on budget and finance related issues, prepare financial information on request;
Review and analyze financial implementation with special attention to award end date, reporting due date and outstanding encumbrances.
(3) Liaise with departmental, divisional and other staff as needed for the collation of cross cutting data and financial information needs required for ad hoc analyses, for example for external evaluations and external audits;
(4) Perform all other related duties as requested.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Completion of secondary or commercial school with a focus on administration and accountancy.
Desirable:
Training in UN accounting/finance systems is an advantage.
Formal training and/or certification in accounting or financial management an asset.
Experience
Essential:
At least eight years of experience in relevant administrative and finance positions, including several years' experience in budget and finance.
Experience of working with an Enterprise Resource Planning platform, , Oracle, SAP.
Desirable: Experience of working in WHO or a United Nations Organization is an asset.
Skills
Demonstrated skills and knowledge in budget, finance and procurement with the ability to produce and analyse data and recommend appropriate actions.
Mature judgment and ability to detect shortcomings and anomalies and recommend remedial actions in line with WHO financial rules and regulations.
Very good knowledge and skills in the use of modern integrated ERP systems; exceptional skills in numeracy; knowledge of standard accounting practices; strong computer skills including Excel.
Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
Sound judgment, integrity and tact in dealing with others.
Ability to maintain/update and learn new computer skills, either through attending courses or through self-instruction on-line.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Use of Language Skills
Essential:
Expert knowledge of English
Intermediate knowledge of French