Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Global Financial Service (GFS) within UNHCR’s Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) of UNHCR is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the statutory and management financial information recorded in UNHCR’s accounts and used in various reports, including UNHCR’s annual financial statements. GFS also provides transaction processing and payment services to an increasing number of operational locations with a view to further enhancing the speed and efficiency of the related processes.
The Central Accounting Unit (CAU) plays an essential role in ensuring that the Organization’s financial statements comply with UN Financial Regulations, the UNHCR Financial Rules and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and strives to strengthen the quality of financial management and control in UNHCR.
The Accounts Receivable and Donor Reporting (ARDR) Unit processes incoming deposits and provides related technical support to the field operations, accounts for revenue adjustments, raises bills for miscellaneous income, coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AR and revenue, compiles financial reports to UNHCR’s donors, which requires active liaison with colleagues from the Division of External Relations (DER) and the respective field offices.
The Accounts Payable (AP) Unit processes AP vouchers and central payments for UNHCR and several field offices, provides related technical support to the Field and coordinates the accounts closure and audit for AP and expenses.
Under the general direction of the relevant Head of Unit, the incumbent manages and oversees global accounting processes within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and contributes to analysing and reporting on the corporate-level accounting results of UNHCR in compliance with the UN Financial Regulations, UNHCR’s rules and IPSAS, as applicable. The incumbent supervises national professional and general service staff to achieve the overall deliverables of the unit. S/he frequently interacts with other functional units within and outside the GFS, e.g., in the Treasury Service of DFAM, the Personnel Administration Section (PAS) and the Global Payroll Section (GPS) of the Division of Human Resources (DHR) and other HQ divisions to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of financial accounting and reporting at UNHCR and maintains frequent contact with managers and finance staff in field locations to advise them on accounting and financial reporting issues.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Contribute to the design and implementation of accounting procedures in specified areas and facilitate the implementation of new accounting standards and policies.
- Oversee the recording of transactions and approve those.
- Facilitate the application of UNHCR’s established accounting and financial reporting procedures, in compliance with IPSAS, UNHCR, and UN financial regulations and rules.
- Supervise a team of accountants as assigned.
- Establish procedures to monitor compliance by users in different entities with the relevant financial rules, regulations, and procedures and assist in enforcing quality assurance protocols, perform and facilitate regular reviews of transactions and the global accounts.
- Coordinate the provision of technical support to field offices, regional bureaux and HQ divisions, and provide answers and guidelines to accounting and finance-related matters.
- Present and coordinate the preparation of detailed accounting analysis, financial reports and audit documentation, and analyze data.
- Contribute to the periodic closure of UNHCR’s global accounts, the reconciliation of the general ledger to subledgers, enforce quality control, perform account reconciliations, and regularly review open transactions and suspense accounts within the area(s) of responsibility.
- Foster continuous learning, and make well-founded proposals for system, policy and process enhancements.
- Identify skill gaps within the team and globally based on systemic issues in the accounts and coordinate with the supervisor for training programs, and deliver trainings as assigned.
- Support the rollout of new systems and processes, and contribute to testing, system development and deployment.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision-making is risk-based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to a relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Accounting; Finance; Public Administration;
Business Administration; Economics or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Certified Public Accountant;
Chartered Accountant (CA); Association of Certified Charted Accountants (ACCA)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Work experience in overseeing corporate level accounting processes and/or general ledger accounting. Good knowledge of, and experience in working with international accounting and auditing standards, with practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle).
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR specific systems (such as Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP). Knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
Functional Skills
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and the UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
Competency Requirements
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Managing Resources
Judgement and Decision Making
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Planning and Organizing
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
• A recognized post-graduate professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CMA/CPA or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Extensive hands-on experience in overseeing corporate accounting processes, especially accounts receivable, revenue accounting, as well as account reconciliations. Experience in financial process analysis and streamlining.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly assimilate, interpret, and implement technical accounting requirements pertinent to UNHCR.
• Experience in preparing financial statements for large-scale commercial or public entities under IFRS, IPSAS, or equivalent frameworks.
• Proven experience in contributing effectively to both internal and external audits.
• Demonstrating strong financial English drafting skills.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle. Capability to learn new software tools. Experience related to configuring and maintaining financial modules of ERP systems is highly desirable.
• Involvement in system implementation and related management and organizational change management initiatives in an international environment is an advantage.
• Strong leadership qualities with a track record of fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment aligned with organizational goals.
International candidates with valid Hungarian residency are accepted.
Additional information:
Candidates must be legally present in Hungary at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19
Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
English
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The Accounts Receivable (AR) sub-unit of the Accounts Receivable and Donor Reporting (ARDR) Unit processes incoming deposits, generates AR invoices for donor contributions and raises AR invoices for miscellaneous income, provides related technical support to the Field Operations and other HQ units, manages revenue accounting, determines and processes adjustments to receivables and revenue, and coordinates accounts closure, reconciliation and audit for receivables and revenue. These tasks require active liaison with colleagues from the Division of External Relations (DER), the respective Field Operations, as well as other units within the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM).
Role Overview
The successful candidate will take on a supervisory role in the AR sub-unit, leading a team of accountants responsible for key functions in managing accounts receivable and revenue – especially receivables and revenue related to donor contributions – and preparing the related sections of the financial statements. This position requires a mature individual capable of leading and coaching team members to achieve both unit and divisional objectives. In addition to possessing deep technical knowledge in accounting, the incumbent must demonstrate effective communication and managerial skills to nurture a cooperative and productive work environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinating and monitoring the daily tasks of the AR sub-unit (analysis of incoming payments, AR receipt creation and their application to the corresponding AR invoices, shared mailbox management).
- Analysing billing and revenue events related to donor contributions, generating AR invoices and credit memos based on data interfaced from Synergy/Salesforce to the ERP system, and determining/adjusting revenue events.
- Under the guidance of the unit head, managing the monthly and annual financial closures for receivables and revenue.
- Under the guidance of the unit head, performing reconciliations and accounting analyses related to receivables and revenue. Amending existing or building new reports in the ERP system if required, and/or coordinating with technical teams in this respect.
- Preparing reports to support UNHCR’s receivables collection and cash flow forecasting activities by providing inputs on overdue receivables and due dates of outstanding receivables.
- Under the guidance of the unit head, reviewing revenue reduction and receivables write-off cases related to donor contributions, preparing the required documentation for their endorsement, and processing the required accounting adjustments upon their approval.
- Initiating approved refunds to donors, as well as contribution payments to other UN agencies under pass-through funds arrangements.
- Supporting the implementation of the new accounting standard IPSAS 47 – Revenue.
- Testing new/amended receivables and revenue related functionalities in the ERP system (e.g. e-banking, revenue recognition).
Living and Working Conditions:
n/a
Additional Qualifications
Skills
DM-Data Collection and Analysis, EL-Monitoring and Evaluation, FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards, FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration
Certifications
Accounting – Other, Business Administration – Other, Economics – Other, Finance – Other, Public Administration – Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position requires Functional Clearance
How to apply
For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 5 November 2024