Position Title: Regional Accounting Officer (Quality Support)

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 03 December 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD) in Dakar, the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Resources Management Officer (SRRMO) for West and Central Africa (WCA), and in close coordination with the Accounting Division (ACO) at HQ, and with Manila Financial Services (MFS), working closely with the Country Offices (CO) in the West and Central Africa region, the Regional Accounting Officer (Quality Support) will be responsible for improving the quality level of the accounts for all Country Offices of the WCA region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with Regional Accounting Support (RAS) team of Manila Financial Services (MFS) and the SRRMO, provide guidance and support to the finance staff in the Region, with regards to ensuring compliance IOM`s accounting and financial reporting policies and procedures, including those related to periodic closure of the accounts, to processes and documentation as well as to donor financial reporting, especially through capacity-building, training, and general support.
2. Act as the RO Dakar Focal Point for West and Central Africa (WCA Country Offices’ questions related to the IOM accounting processes and procedures. Respond, verify, guide and support the Country Offices staff in a better understanding of end-to-end accounting processes in IOM`s SAP based ERP software.
3. Serve as an expert resource in accounting. Analyze and resolve complex accounting issues of the Country Offices in the Region in accordance with IOM accounting principles and procedures.
4. Support Country Offices in addressing accounting issues identified via the central review processes (project balance review, periodic checklist review, month-end reviews) and audits, to ensure high quality and consistency of accounting transactions and documentation.
5. Contribute to building the accounting and financial reporting capacities of IOM staff in the Region in the area of finance and administration through a combination of formal training and on-the-job mentoring.
6. Conduct in-depth reviews of accounting and financial reporting functions of the CountryOffices in the Region via field visits with a view to increase effectiveness and to optimize local process flows. Identify gaps, duplications and potential areas for synergies and provide recommendations to the Regional Resources Management Officer (RRMO) Chief of Mission (COMs), Resources Management Officer (RMO) with regards to necessary enhancements.
7. Identify, develop, manage and implement trainings in both English and French to improve the quality of the accounts as needed, ensure coordination and create understanding and ownership of both the accrual accounting as well as of the IPSAS principles.
8. In coordination with the SRRMO, support with the selection and recruitment of finance staff; with guiding local finance staff and with evaluating the staffing needs in finance.
9. Review donor financial reports submitted to the Regional Office (RO) for consistency and accuracy and ensure proper information exchange between the RO and the Country Offices.
10. Inform the Regional Director (RD) and the SRRMO, and the Finance and Accounting Division if applicable, about internal controls and accounting quality related concerns identified at the Country Offices well as about best practices that could be replicated at other locations.
11. Provide consistent review and competent advice to the Regional Resource Management Officer and the local Chiefs of Mission on the overall performance of the finance departments to ensure effectiveness, coherence, and integrity.
12. Undertake duty travel as required.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional certification as chartered accountant (CA) or certified public accountant (CPA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will be a distinct advantage.

Experience

• Experience in the following: Finance, Audit, Training, Archiving and SAP; and,
• Experience with international institutions coupled with experience with International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Skills

• Familiarity with financial and business administration;
• Knowledge of IOM/UN accounting systems, software and procedures is desired;
• Knowledge of the region is an advantage;
• Computer literacy, especially SAP or another ERP software; and,
• Sound and proven capacity of preparing and delivering trainings on relevant subjects.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.