Associate Finance Officer (Accounts)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a global presence, operating in over 190 countries with a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO is dedicated to fostering collaboration among nations to enhance educational opportunities, preserve cultural heritage, and promote scientific advancements. The organization is headquartered in Paris, France, and is known for its commitment to the principles of human rights, equality, and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Associate Finance Officer (Accounts) position is integral to the UNESCO Staff and Savings and Loan Service (USLS), which serves as a Fund-in-trust for the organization. The primary mission of the USLS is to provide staff members with savings and loan options in a mutualist spirit, catering to approximately 3,600 members, including UNESCO staff and retirees. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the General Manager of USLS, focusing on accounting and reporting activities. The role encompasses a variety of tasks related to back-office investments, accounting, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with UNESCO rules and USLS regulations. The position requires a proactive approach to managing financial operations and providing high-quality services to members, while also contributing to the overall financial health of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Finance Officer include:

• Member Services & Pension Processing: Monitoring member withdrawal requests, ensuring alignment with IT system data, and reconciling monthly pension credits.
• Banking & Treasury Operations: Performing daily bank account reconciliations, monitoring investment transactions, and managing cash flow operations.
• Back-office Functions: Managing investment confirmations and handling related documentation.
• Accounting & Internal Controls: Processing general ledger entries, conducting accounting controls, and maintaining compliance with internal procedures.
• Financial Reporting & Budget Monitoring: Performing reconciliations, updating budget monitoring tables, and preparing draft financial reports.
• Annual Accounts Closing & Audit Preparation: Supporting account closures, preparing IPSAS-compliant financial statements, and coordinating with auditors.
• Other functions: Suggesting improvements to procedures, updating accounting reports, and providing logistic assistance for USLS events.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Associate Finance Officer position include an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Accounting or Business/Management with a focus on accounting. Candidates should possess a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in accounting, particularly in back-office functions related to investments. Proven experience in preparing financial statements and contributing to the preparation of Notes to financial statements is essential. Additionally, candidates should have a good knowledge of IPSAS or IFRS accounting standards and proficiency in standard office software, particularly MS Office applications.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Accounting or Business/Management with a major in accounting or possess a Certificate in financial accounting. A professional accounting qualification/certification such as CIPFA or equivalent is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in accounting and back-office functions, particularly in investment confirmations. Ideally, candidates should have at least one year of experience at the international level, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex financial environments and contribute to the preparation of financial statements.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of English or French, with a good working level in the other language. Knowledge of another working language of the United Nations, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a P-1/P-2 level role with a standard duration of assignment of two years, which is renewable. The contract is full-time and open to both internal and external candidates. UNESCO offers a competitive salary, with the approximate annual starting salary for this post being $50,37

• Benefits include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The recruitment process involves an online application, and candidates will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the vacancy notice. Selected candidates will undergo reference checks, and UNESCO emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.