Accountant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section, Income Tax Unit of the Division of Administration (DA) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS) of the United Nations. The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to various entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The organization focuses on processing global payroll and payments, providing policy advice, operational guidance, and implementing enhancements. The Income Tax Unit specifically provides analysis and technical direction for financial information, supporting tax processes and systems for clients.

Job Overview:
The Accountant will play a crucial role in the Income Tax Unit, reporting directly to the Chief of the Income Tax Unit. This position involves providing advice and guidance on tax reimbursement processes, policies, and procedures to both headquarters and field staff. The Accountant will be responsible for conducting analytical research on tax returns and documents, planning and supervising the system development tax process, and simplifying complex tax matters for clients. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with HR partners to manage immigration status changes and their budgetary impacts, as well as reviewing workbooks related to tax benefits. The Accountant will also be involved in financial systems analysis and development, ensuring the integrity of financial operations and representing the division in meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Accountant's responsibilities include providing advice and training on tax reimbursement processes, conducting analytical research on tax documents, planning and supervising the tax system development process, and simplifying complex tax matters for clients. The role also involves coordinating with HR on immigration status changes, reviewing tax benefit workbooks, and interacting with various UN agency partners. In finance and budget, the Accountant will provide input for business analysis, support financial information systems, evaluate existing systems, and assist in problem-solving for complex tax systems issues. General responsibilities include ensuring the integrity of financial systems, managing the Tax Unit's work, and representing the division in inter-departmental meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of financial and budgetary principles, including budget development and financial administration. They should demonstrate the ability to develop budgetary policies and formulate strategies for budgetary matters. Professionalism, accountability, and the ability to work under pressure are essential. The Accountant should also have a commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in the workplace.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in taxation, accounting, information technology, business administration, finance, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in income taxes, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and payroll is required. This experience should include complex budgetary and accounting operations, preferably in both public and private sectors. At least five years of experience focused on transactional activities of the US income tax process is also required. Experience with the United Nations or a large global organization’s systems and procedures is essential, along with familiarity in finance systems analysis and development.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but there are no additional desirable languages specified for this role.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position for an initial period of six months, subject to funding sources. The eligibility for this position may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The selection process may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview. The position is subject to the conditions of the staff selection system and the United Nations' commitment to diversity and inclusion.