The role of DFAM is to safeguard the financial resources entrusted to UNICEF for the survival, development and protection of the world's children by maintaining and improving financial and administrative systems and procedures to ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of these resources. This post resides within the Financial Reporting, Analysis and Monitoring unit of the Financial Reporting and Grant Management Section of DFAM, reporting to the Finance Manager, Financial Reporting.
Under the general guidance of the Finance Manager, Financial Reporting, the incumbent is primarily responsible for ensuring that UNICEF's operating system, SAP, is set up in a manner that is aligned with International Public Sector Accounting Standards and UNICEF's financial policies and procedures. The primary focus being the financial information module (“FI”) of the operating system along with IT processes resulting in financial accounting transactions within FI either directly or through sub-modules and/or sub-ledgers. This includes coordination and review of system changes and monitor periodic processing activities and automated financial controls within SAP). In addition, the incumbent will analyze results, investigate and follow up on issues;
How can you make a difference?
The following are the key functions of the position:
Responsible for ensuring periodic processing activities are executed timely and accurately including: opening and closing periods, uploading data, and executing programs (eg, foreign exchange revaluation, etc.). Coordinate global manual and systematic period closing activities. Identify anomalies in the execution of the periodic activities and escalate to supervisor timely for resolution. Maintain documentation and process guidance for the periodic activities. Maintain access tables for sensitive document types and monitor access to post to closed periods
Support the design, business specifications, documentation and testing of financial systems. The scope will include among other tasks, all ICTD developments in SAP or other UNICEF systems that impacts finance and financial reporting modules, in collaboration with the other accountants in the Financial Reporting and Grants Management section. Maintain documentation of testing results for all related implementations.
Liaise with ICTD, other HQ sections/divisions and field offices on system changes, issues and reporting requirements based on instructions and in liaison with or under guidance of Finance Manager, Financial Reporting. Contribute to identification of systems issues and reporting requirements possible solutions.
Maintain UNICEF's GL master data with support of assistant. Ensure that there are adequate controls in place in establishing GL master data based on UNICEF's risk management policies and that it remains accurate and valid by performing periodic cleansing activities. Update the chart of accounts, and maintain the related glossary of definitions, as required and in compliance with IPSAS.
Provide technical advice and guidance to HQ staff on exceptional, ad hoc issues related to systems based on policies and procedures established in official UNICEF documentation and in line with IPSAS requirements. Identify and provide feedback and suggestions to management related to improvements to the system, reports and UNICEF's policies, procedures and processes. Facilitate the development and implementation of financial systems structures and participate in designing automated systems of accounting and reporting.
Ensure that the Financial Reporting and Grant Management Section/ Financial Reporting, Analysis and Monitoring unit is professionally represented on the UNICEF intranet and that information is useful, accurate and current to all relevant stakeholders, including field offices and other UNICEF divisions. Develop new content as required based on the activities and results of the Financial Reporting and Grant Management section. Coordinate with the Comptroller's Office to ensure content changes are posted timely.
Produce timely and informative reports such as CEB and TOESD reporting, schedules and analysis on a routine and ad hoc basis, especially for year-end (eg segment report) and quarterly financial reports. Approve IATI submissions monthly in line with agreed SLA. Maintenance of financial reports, ensuring they remain accurate and are easy to use by offices and divisions. Responsible for liaison with other sections and divisions to ensure reports are dynamic and can be used for multiple purposes both management and financial reporting ensuring information is readily available and consistent for any purpose/use such as FI cube and checking year-end SP cube for clearance
Supervise staff, establish priorities, assess progress and provide guidance to staff to ensure achievement of objectives.
Identify training needs and develop training activities to build capacity within the team and globally in areas of responsibility eg training on use of GL accounts.
Perform other duties as required
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Professional Accounting or Auditing Qualification (such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or equivalent) or an advanced degree (Masters) in Accounting and/or a related field is required. Preference will be given to holders of Professional Accounting qualifications or equivalent
A minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial auditing, including experience working in a managerial role is required.
Experience working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is highly desirable.
Knowledge of the UN system is considered an asset.
Experience in the non-profit sector or working internationally is highly desirable.
Excellent computer skills required, including experience in maintaining, managing or utilizing enterprise resource system, preferably SAP.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
