Accounting Assistant (3 positions), G6 – ECA

Posting Title: Accounting Assistant (3 positions), G6
Job Code Title: ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Deadline 24 November 2021
Job Opening Number: 21-Finance-ECA-163946-R-Addis Ababa (O)
Staffing Exercise N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting 

The Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

This positions are located in Trust Fund Unit within the Finance and Budget Section within the Division of Administration of the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The Finance Assistants will work under the overall guidance of Chief of Finance and Budget Section and direct supervision of the Chief of Trust Fund Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Accounting Assistants will be responsible for the following duties:

• Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges;
• Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions;
• Communicates with other Unit of Finance and Budget Section and UNHQ to resolve accounting issues that affect XB Funds and assist in responding audit queries;
• Reconciles and reviews suspense accounts and ensure proper clearance procedures have been followed;
• Assist in review voluntary contributions account receivables to confirm their validity Compare/reconcile against Donor agreements;
• Review and process advance to Implementing Partner by creating Purchase Orders and Reconcile IP advances;
• Follow up and record expenses report from Implementing Partners by creating Service Entry Sheet against advances and clear GRIR;
• Extracts details of income, expenditure, assets and liability from accounting system in order to analyze and verify accuracy and validity;
• Consolidates data into financial statements and prepare Donor financial statements in a timely and accurate manner;
• Assists with the monitoring of expenditures to ensures they remain within authorized levels. Review all outstanding Purchase Order (PO) and FC (Obligation) regularly for their validity and communicate Substantive Division for appropriate action and assist on the preparation of commitment accruals at yearend;
• Review and record Fund transfer;
• Prepares worksheets and assists with the preparation of financial statements;
• Assist in yearend activities and preparation of schedule for submission to UNHQ for Volume I financial statement preparation and compliance with UNFRR;
• Audits various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursements and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices;
• Serves as Approving Officer for disbursements up to an authorized level;
• Provides guidance and training to colleagues as required;
• Supervises other General Service staff as required;
• Drafts/prepares memoranda and/or cables to various offices, departments and overseas offices;
• Responds to queries from staff members and third parties;
• Performs other duties as may be required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Must have passed the United Nations Global General Service Test (GGST) (see Special Notice section). Additional qualifications in the area of finance, business administration and management or information technology are desirable. Knowledge of Microsoft Excel is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration, or related field is required.
Knowledge in any ERP/SAP system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the posts advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

These positions are from GTA funds. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate-and/or the availability-of funds.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations Headquarters or some of the United Nations Offices Away from Headquarters (OAHs) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

These position are subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.