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:
Financial Information and Systems Officer
This is a temporary vacancy for one year only
Vacancy Announcement Number
Grade
Deadline for Applications
13-HQ-AM-40
P-4
24 September 2013
Duty Station
HQ Amman, Jordan
The Financial Information and Systems Officer will have two key areas of
responsibility: a) ensuring Policy and operational adherence to International
Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS), and b) being a key focal point of the Finance Department to
work with ERP staff in ensuring the existing and future ERP system is IPSAS
compliant. In accordance with the established Agency policy and
procedures, the incumbent will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and update Financial Policies, Procedures, and Technical
Instructions in accordance with the Agency’s newly issued IPSAS compliant
Financial Regulations;

Play a lead role in the development and maintenance of UNRWA’s IPSAS
compliant financial statements and reports in the existing and future ERP
system;

Provide support in liaising with the ERP team in testing and proving that the
accounting treatment of transactions in the “to be” developed new ERP
solution is IPSAS compliant in all functional respects;

Assist in collating finance department requirements for data conversion,
training and support activities in the implementation of the new ERP system;


Coordinate implementation of new accounting standards and financial
policies and systems in cooperation with senior staff in the Finance
Department and with Heads of Field Finance Offices (HFFOs);
Provide financial accounting guidance and training to finance staff
regarding changes to the Agency’s existing and future ERP system.
Professional Knowledge and Experience

Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution, in
accountancy, finance, public or business administration, or related field;

Membership in a professional body of accountants (e.g.: Institute of
Chartered Accountants, Institute of Certified Public Accountants);

Eight years' experience in the application of the knowledge acquired
above, including at least five years at the senior supervisory level in a large
dynamic organization; experience in financial accounting; experience
working with contemporary ERP system; international experience outside
one’s home country;

Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Competencies
 Thorough knowledge of financial accounting standards, computerized
finance and procurement systems;
 Ability to develop and implement appropriate finance policies and
technical instructions;

Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with staff and
clients of the Finance Department; including the ability to operate
effectively across organizational boundaries and in multiple locations;
 Ability to take initiative, coordinate and integrate multiple inputs to
generate common approaches or frameworks;
 Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting
operations;
 Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues,
formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations;
 Demonstrated experience in interpretation of international accounting
standards and preparation of financial statements within an ERP
environment.
Desirable Qualifications

Working experience with either IPSAS or IFRS;

Demonstrated experience in assisting in the development and testing of an
IPSAS/IFRS compliant ERP solution.
Additional Information
The incumbent will be required to travel in the Agency's area of operations in
the Middle East.
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. This is a
temporary vacancy for one year only.
NB: If a current UNRWA staff member already employed with the Agency on
Area staff contract is found suitable and consequently selected for the 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