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Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
The Head, General Accounts Section of this post reports to the Deputy Chief Accounts Division.
The Head, General Accounts Section supervises professional staff in the General Accounts Section at HQs and provides technical guidance to staff at HQs and the Field Offices in relation to general accounts.
Responsibilities
– Ensures efficient functioning of General Accounts operation; plans, leads, monitors and evaluates the General Accounts staff performance; provides technical guidance and ensures that the staff are sufficiently trained to perform their functions; supervises or conducts training sessions as required.
– Provides authoritative advice and guidance in regard to organization’s accounting procedures and provides authoritative interpretation to HQ Departments, Divisions, Offices and Field staff on the technicalities of different finance issues, arising from the day-to-day operations and to resolve difficult and unusual cases.
– Manages the operations of the General Accounts Section which involves processing of Agency-wide accounting transactions; monitors and reviews transactions and documents and ensures implementation of procedures to exercise internal control; requests as necessary additional information from Departments/ Divisions to ensure that Agency rules and regulations are applied properly; examines and certifies accuracy, correctness and recommends approval of accounting entries; manages, reviews, and updates all aspects of the General Ledger, including, but not limited, to the Chart of Accounts, Master Data, accounting balances, long out-standing items and coordinates with finance users to ensure data accuracy.
– As part of the senior finance team, contributes to the development of the annual work plan, guidelines, monitoring and evaluation tools, department priorities, as well as revision and improvement of relevant processes and systems; initiates, reviews and coordinates amendments to various reports, Finance Policies, Finance Manual and Finance Technical Instructions used Agency-wide in view of the new ERP processes; reviews all aspects of the Accounts Section and participates in the development and implementation of improved systems and procedures (including REACH – ERP system).
– Plans and manages the month-end and year-end closure activities, including closure instructions, time schedules and activities; and follows up on related activities with concerned parties to ensure timely preparation of financial statements and relevant reports.
– Supervises the preparation of presentations/materials, response to internal and external stakeholders on matters relating to accounts. This includes preparation of templates, notes and replies relating to inquiries arising from implementation of accounting systems, procedures, and controls.
– Coordinates the preparation of agency financial statements including related notes in compliance with the relevant accounting and reporting standards; ensures the accuracy of information and data presented on statements are fully reconciled with those retrieved from the Agency’s ERP system; liaises with internal and external auditors for financial statements and notes; reviews and submits responses to audit queries, observations and recommendations.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default.
– Persuading and Influencing
– Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
– Adapting and Responding to Change
– Leading and Supervising
– Deciding and Initiating Action
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in accounting, finance or other related field. (Required)
Membership in a professional body of accountants (CPA, CMA, ACCA, or equivalent) is desirable.
Diverse experience in budget/financial matters of the UN system is desirable.
Work Experience
At least eight years of progressive responsible relevant experience in the application of the knowledge acquired above, preferably in a large international, governmental or non-profit organization in the area of accounting and financial management or related work, using computer-based financial systems including at least five years in a supervisory capacity are required.
An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in accounting, finance or other related field is required.
Languages
Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment
Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment for 3 years; including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need.
Grade and Salary: Grade 18 Monthly basic salary JD 1246.60 plus special occupational allowance (SOA) of 69.90% of the basic salary (SOA may change from time to time).
Other benefits: Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).
Candidates who applied previously to JO#203754 do not need to reapply again.
This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Jordan, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.
Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate.
For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under “Category” RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade.
Equivalency:
Equivalency may apply for this post.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.
Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.
The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending.
UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.
The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
United Nations Considerations
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work 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 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.
