Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) is part of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which was established to promote peace, security, and stability in the region. The POiB focuses on a variety of security issues, including countering terrorism, border security, and transnational threats such as human trafficking. The organization is dedicated to developing the country’s regions, combating corruption, supporting justice sector reforms, implementing election reforms, promoting gender equality, and building open and resilient societies. The POiB operates in Kyrgyzstan and is committed to fostering cooperation among its member states to address security challenges effectively. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in its mission.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position is located within the Finance section of the Fund Administration Unit (FAU) at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. The primary responsibility of the Finance Assistant is to implement administrative and financial matters by performing a variety of operational and technical activities that are essential for controlling, processing, and monitoring all financial operations and transactions related to the POiB's programmatic activities. This role requires overseeing the work of implementing partners and exchanging finance-related information. The Finance Assistant will work with limited supervision and substantial independence, providing technical advice on project budgets, financial transactions within the approved budget, and project financial activities. The position also involves responding to queries from program staff and implementing partners regarding finance-related questions, making it a critical role in ensuring the smooth financial operation of the office. Additionally, the position entails a certain amount of in-country travel, which adds to the dynamic nature of the role.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant will be tasked with a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Processing bills from suppliers and entitlements for mission members accurately and in a timely manner;
• Conducting scheduled and ad-hoc monitoring visits of implementing partners (IPs) across all regions of the country, preparing detailed monitoring visit reports, evaluating the financial capacity of IPs, and reviewing and analyzing financial reports submitted by them;
• Preparing VAT submissions, addressing inquiries from vendors/suppliers regarding questionable VAT items, and liaising with tax authorities on VAT claims;
• Registering suppliers in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and communicating with local suppliers under Local Window Contracts (LWC) for clarification on financial supporting documents;
• Verifying the accuracy of information and ensuring proper recording to maintain the integrity of the General Ledger (GL) inputs, regularly examining the correctness of GL entries;
• Attending meetings as requested to address queries related to financial regulations and processes, and briefing mission members on the application and interpretation of financial regulations;
• Acting as a back-stopper for the Finance Assistant and Treasury Assistant during their absence, ensuring continuity in financial operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess completed secondary education, supplemented by specialized training or formal studies in accounting, finance, or related fields. A minimum of five years of working experience in accounting, finance, or treasury is required, with part of that experience in an international organization. Proven analytical and quantitative skills related to finance are essential, along with digital literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and the Internet. Experience with ERP software is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate gender awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities. The ability to work effectively as part of a team, respecting diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, is crucial, as is maintaining impartiality and objectivity in all interactions. Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and local languages (Russian/Kyrgyz) are mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), with additional specialized training or formal studies in accounting, finance, or related fields being highly desirable. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of financial operations and regulations within the OSCE framework.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant working experience in accounting, finance, or treasury. This experience should include a significant portion of time spent in an international organization, which will provide the candidate with the necessary exposure to international financial regulations and practices. Candidates should have a proven track record of finance-related analytical and quantitative skills, demonstrating their ability to manage financial operations effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, both spoken and written, as well as fluency in local languages, specifically Russian and Kyrgyz. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including program staff, implementing partners, and local suppliers. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract at the General Services level (G5) and is classified as full-time. The monthly remuneration is set at 899.66 Euro, subject to social security deductions. Social benefits include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. Appointments are typically made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale, with the possibility of a higher step being approved under specific conditions. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants, maintaining integrity and impartiality. The OSCE does not reimburse expenses related to interviews, tests, visas, or relocation, and appointments are subject to medical clearance. The mandatory retirement age for contracted positions is 65 years, and candidates should be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application process.