UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST
UNRWA
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in
1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population
of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine
refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve
their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their
plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social
services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and
emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary
contributions. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a
qualified:
Deputy Chief Accounts Division
Vacancy Announcement Number
Grade
Deadline for Applications
Duty Station
13-HQ-AM-39
P-4
24 September 2013
HQ Amman, Jordan
The Deputy Chief Accounts Division assists the Chief, Accounts Division in the
control of and proper accounting for financial transactions of the Agency, and
in the provision of technical guidance to related activities in the fields. In
accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the
incumbent will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
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Initiate, review and coordinate amendments to various reports, Finance
Manual and Finance Technical Instructions used Agency-wide; coordinate
the ongoing maintenance and strengthening of International Public Sector
Accounting Standards (IPSAS), financial policies and systems and acts as the
key liaison in cooperation with senior staff in the Finance Department, at HQs
and Fields, Procurement and Logistics Division and ERP staff;
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Identify, initiate and manage accounting areas requiring maintenance and
strengthening of IPSAS compliance and ensure coordination with all
stakeholders on implementation;
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Assist Chief, Accounts Division with a variety of special assignments requiring
extensive research and data analysis as required including supervision of
staff, and in other assignments of relevance including officiating for Chief
Accounts Division in his/her absence;
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Review accounting systems, IPSAS policies and propose solutions, including
involvement in revisions of financial software applications; provide analysis to
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ensure Agency’s compliance with IPSAS in its financial statements and
reporting;
Work as Finance Department’s focal point on issues such as Inter-Agency
coordination on matters relating to accounting and financial reporting,
finance recruitment matters, IPSAS matters, Field Finance Office’s meetings
etc;
Research and draft replies to internal oversight and UNBOA audit comments
and recommendations and set measures to implement and follow-up audit
recommendations;
Contribute and carry out related activities with respect to development and
implementation of ERP modules; assist in coordination with respect to the
Agency’s present and proposed ERP system;
Provide guidance to Accounts Division staff in the review of complex
accounting issues requiring professional judgment, including review of
various reports to meet UN HQ reporting needs;
Authorize vouchers and other transaction documents as directed by the
supervisor; assist, as required, in the examination and authorization of claims
for and against the Agency, with particular reference to staff claims;
Assist with the coordination and follows up with the Fields and other
Departments for purposes of resolving financial matters;
Coordinate action on operational matters either within the Department of
Finance or the Field Offices including accounts closing activities.
Professional Knowledge and Experience
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Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution, in
accountancy, business administration or related field;
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Membership in a professional body of accountants such as ACCA, CIMA,
ACA etc.;
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Eight years’ experience in the application of the knowledge acquired
above, including three years at the international level, outside one’s home
country, in a large governmental or commercial organization in accounting
system, policies, financial reporting and accounting standards development
or related work. Experience should include application and exposure to
computer based financial systems;
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Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Competencies
 Proven skills in modern methods of accounting including results-based
accounting;
 Demonstrated ability to operate personal computers, ERP systems and
knowledge of standard applications;
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Excellent analytical skills;
 Ability to cope with multiple tasks effectively;
 Ability to work under difficult conditions;
 Demonstrated management skills in a multi-cultural environment;
 Ability to motivate staff;
 Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with people at
all levels in the organization;
 Working Knowledge of IPSAS or International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFFRS) and Conventions.
Desirable Qualifications
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Coursework and training in management studies and computer based
financial systems;
Diverse experience in budget/financial matters in the UN system;
Equivalency
When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human
Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a
combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training
and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal
qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an
acceptable combination.
Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary
starting at $72,467 net tax free with dependants or $67,483 single, plus post
adjustment of 47.4% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject
to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave,
pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave. All UNRWA duty
stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial
contract is for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the
availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.
In addition to the post of Deputy Chief Accounts Division (DCAD), a second
temporary DCAD post is to be filled for one year only, to backfill for the
regular DCAD post, whose incumbent will be involved during that period in
the Agency’s ERP project.
NB: If a current UNRWA staff member already employed with the Agency on
Area staff contract is found suitable and consequently selected for the
temporary vacant post they would be required to choose to either:
a. transfer to an International staff contract. Return to an Area staff
contract at the end of the assignment would not be possible; or
b. undertake the temporary appointment in the form of an Acting
assignment with applicable allowances, and return to their Area staff
contract at the conclusion of the assignment.
How to Apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at
http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA
Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from
accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through
http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of
applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for
interview will be contacted.
UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.
General Information
UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the
highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for
human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of
conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at
work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these
values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work
environment.
The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an
appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job
description.
Date of issue: 4 September 2013/CF