JOB DESCRIPTION

. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

This is a project post under the approved Capital Master Plan AIMS 2.0 Transformation project. The post is located in the Finance Division of the Department of Program Planning and Finance to provide backup for staff across the Division who are involved in the AIMS 2.0 transformation project and also to actively participate in the project as required. The Finance Division is responsible for the management of WIPO’s financial accounting and reporting, treasury management and compliance with financial policies and procedures. Included within these responsibilities are the management of the Organization’s cash position, production of statutory financial reports and other financial information, and coordination with oversight and financial control activities.

b. Purpose Statement

WIPO is embarking on a large phased enterprise applications transformation, involving projects such as cloud migration, applications decoupling, CRM implementation, nGen Analytics, Board (EPM) and nGen ERP transformation. The incumbent performs a variety of complex financial functions in support of the enterprise application transformation. These include activities related to the treasury, income, payroll and financial reporting functions of the Organization and provides support in the control and maintenance of accounts for financial, statistical and reconciliation purposes. This includes processing complex transactions (initiation and managing approvals processes) related to treasury and payment, income, payroll and financial reporting activities. The incumbent utilizes and provides guidance in the use of WIPO financial rules and contributes to an efficient, transparent and controlled financial process. The incumbent plays a key role in user acceptance testing of the AIMS 2.0 ERP system including consideration for AI use case scenarios in Finance to improve business processes.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, Finance Division with matrix reporting lines to the Section Heads of Treasury, Financial Reporting and Income Section.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with a wide range of colleagues within the work unit, with clients within the Organization and with external parties, such as other UN organizations, Member States, International Patent Offices and financial institutions to obtain/provide information, to resolve problems or to clarify issues.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Review the use of intelligent technologies including AI, machine learning, robotic process automation, predictive analytics, fraud detection and drive improvements in processes within Income, Payroll, Financial Reporting and Accounts Payable and Treasury Section.

b. Update and suggest enhancements to financial systems (ERP, Coupa, etc) and databases related to Income, Payroll, Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable and Treasury Section. Work with project managers and lead testing/upgrading of systems during WIPO AIMS Transformation Project.

c. Maintain project and workflow documentation for Finance Division related to WIPO AIMS Transformation Project.

d. Ensure maintenance of bank account connectivity to the internal ERP system and external providers. Support the management of bank accounts, including opening/closing procedures, bank letters, bank compliance documentation and signature cards.

e. Ensure maintenance of banking records and master data management in Finance Division.

f. Prepare WIPO’s pay-cycle process and collaborate with colleagues within the Finance Division to ensure payments are completed on a timely basis based on a defined payment schedule.

g. Identify and resolve problems in payment processing; work closely with IT staff on system requirements and assist others with questions that involve searching for and abstracting payment data or background information to provide explanations.

h. Ensure proper maintenance of accounting records for accounts payable and treasury related transactions; collate and compile financial and statistical information to reflect financial and/or transaction activities.

i. Examine queries and provide explanations/resolutions to problems in a timely manner, forwarding disputed, complex or unusual cases to the supervisor; draft correspondence to clarify discrepancies, obtain explanations and provide information on the financial and/or staff rules and regulations.

j. Perform other related duties as required including the backing up of other staff members of the Finance Division who are involved in the AIMS 2.0 transformation project.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Completion of secondary education supplemented by training or post-secondary education in accounting and/or finance.

Education (Desirable)

First-level university degree in accounting/finance, data analytics or other relevant related degree such as mathematics/statistics, engineering or computer science.

Experience (Essential)

At least eight years relevant experience including a minimum of five years of accounting or finance-related work experience.

Experience of working with an ERP systems and Treasury systems.

Experience (Desirable)

Related experience within the United Nations common system or another international organization.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of accounting and financial principles, procedures and systems.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the internet, and the ability to work with databases and adapt quickly to new software.

Proficiency in operating and maintaining a Treasury Management System (TMS), with experience in Coupa being a distinct advantage.

Ability to understand, interpret, work within and communicate applicable accounting and financial rules, regulations and procedures.

Ability to manage financial transactions using computer-based systems and to use independent judgment to search for and correct information.

Ability to prioritize work assignments, organize own schedule, perform work independently as well as work effectively in a team and meet deadlines.

Accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to tactfully deal with clients and respond to queries both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

4. Organizational Competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.