The accounts and Finance Management Unit (AFM) provides budget and finance management services to WHO programmers and administration, as well as provide support to the management of fixed assets of the Organization in the African region. The scope of work includes award management, labour distribution planning and control, imprest and other accounts management, treasury, expenditures management and staff health insurance.
Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Accounts and Finance Management (AFM), the incumbent will perform the following functions in support of travel, imprest and cash account management in the Region:
1) Analyze historical records of expenditures from imprest accounts at given intervals or as necessary to estimate cash needs for programme activities and administrative support costs in coordination with account holders; propose revision of imprest accounts ceiling for the approval of Director of GMC.
2) Conduct periodic reviews and updates of information on imprest accounts, including full bank references, system access rights, account holders and signatory panel; monitor staff movements that affect account holders and take action to update relevant information in the Organization Management System.
3) Analyze transactions of payments and receipts as recorded in imprest accounts to identify any compliance issues; monitor compliance with financial procedures and produce accounts status report for each period end closure.
4) Direct the timely reviews of monthly imprest returns and integrate the monthly reconciliation status and aging of outstanding items into a single view; coordinate or personally take actions to clear outstanding items for more than 90 days before period-end closure.
5) Lead all AFRO imprest accounts assurance quality activities.
6) Build capacity and consolidate use of electronic banking in the Region to progressively decrease cash payments in the field offices.
7) Coordinate support to WCO and other clusters on travel management; follow up on travel receivable items for the African Region.
8) Oversee payment and suppliers’ requests for the Regional Office; manage follow up on related invoice on hold and encumbrances.
9) Respond to audit queries and recommendations on travel, imprest and cash management in the Region.
10) Escalate to HQ and GSC long-pending issues affecting travel and finance quality management.
11) Briefs/debriefs staff members and non-staff, including relevant managers in the Region, on travel management and financial and budgetary rules and procedures; prepare related communication and briefing materials.
12) Provide critical analysis on current policies and procedures to the purpose of improvement; propose draft of standard operating procedures (SOP) in order to facilitate and/or enlighten on daily travel and/or finance management in the field.
13) Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Essential: University degree in Accounting Management sciences, Business or Public Administration or Finance. For WHO staff only, equivalent professional training or self-study/work experience.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, or related field. Professional qualification or licensure in Accounting/Accountancy, certification as CPA or Chartered Accountant will be an advantage.
Essential: Five (5) years professional experience at national or international level in finance, programme planning and/or budget/accounting activities. Demonstrated experience in accounting and consolidation of financial data using ERP systems or similar packages.
Desirable: Experience in WHO, other UN agencies, international or multinational organizations.
Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and implement inputs from several sources; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to create synthetized reports and monitor trends in account balances and the ledger at the highest level; to interpret financial rules and regulations and develop standard operating procedures; to establish and maintain effective working relationship with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds; have supervisory skills to coach and mentor team members.
Thorough knowledge of accounting and budgetary principles and their application.
Excellent understanding of accounting practices and procedures, including the application of IPSAS in the country office setting.
Advanced knowledge of relevant financial computer applications preferably Oracle Enterprise resource planning (ERP) or similar packages.
Strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of WHO rules, regulations, policies and practices would be an asset.
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Essential: Intermediate knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2960 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.