Associate Accountant, New York

• Organization: DESA - Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• Country: United States
• City: New York
• Office: DESA New York
• Grade: P-2
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UN Secretariat, New York

Closing date: Friday, 9 December 2016

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Posting Title: ASSOCIATE ACCOUNTANT, P2
Job Code Title: ASSOCIATE ACCOUNTANT
Department/ Office: Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Posting Period: 11 October 2016-9 December 2016
Job Opening number: 16-FIN-DESA-67151-R-NEW YORK (X)
Staffing Exercise ID: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This vacancy is subject to the availability of the post. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.
This position is vacant due to the temporary assignment of the regular incumbent to another office/organization. The selection and extension of appointment of the selected candidate will be contingent on the return of the incumbent who maintains a lien against this post. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Programme Support Service, Capacity Development Office (CDO) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Under delegated authority from the Controller, the Programme Support Service provides full financial and administrative support with respect to the management of its capacity development programmes and projects, including the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation, the Development Account and all extra-budgetary funding. The Service also provides financial and administrative support to capacity development programmes of the UN Secretariat, including the Junior Professional Officers Programme. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Finance Officer under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief, Programme Support Services.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, The Associate Accountant will be responsible for the following duties

• Reviews, approves, reconciles and processes a range of accounting transactions related to DESA's capacity development projects/programmes on a regular and recurring basis.
• Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditures for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments.
• Reviews the output from the Accounts Divisions related to rejects from the UNDP service clearing accounts and analyses expense accounts during the year and prepares adjusting entries as required before preparation of financial statements.
• Supports budgetary and accounting processes for the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT), including monitoring of donors' pledges and contribution and preparation of cash-flow statements, issuance of allotment advices and related suballotments, review of consolidated Headquarters and UNAKRT accounts.
• Reviews quarterly and year-end progress and financial reports, including Budget Performance Report, confirms accuracy, or adjusts accordingly;
• Responsible for fulfilling financial/progress reporting requirements mid initiating cashdraw downs from the Department of State and European Union;
• Assists in providing financial management for the Associate Experts and Junior Professional Officers Programme including analysis of agency financial statements, coordination with donors on fund balance and maintenance of appropriate cash levels, fill and preparation of financial statements to the donors;
• Initiate the monthly and annual closing process of DESA's Capacity Development Trust Fund accounts, submits Project Delivery Reports to UNDP and liaise with the Accounts Division in the preparation of United Nations semi-annual and year-end financial statements for DESA's Trust Funds.
• Assists in ensuring that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
• Plans and coordinates with the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts (OPPBA) in responding to IPSAS requirements, particularly opening and closing balances;
• Researches and analyses information needed to respond to audit findings;
• Provides ongoing guidance and support on accounting matters to the Budget Assistants in the Service;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration or related area is required. (No experience is required for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).)

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira.
Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.