Accounting/Finance Assistant

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title :     565 - FAO - Accounting/Finance Assistant
Category : Administration/Operations
Brand :FAO
Post Level :SB3/1
Application Deadline :     02-Aug-12
Duty Station:Jerusalem
Type of Contract:Service Contract
Post Number:(for 100 Series Contracts)     SB3/1
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Starting Date :(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)    

Duration of Initial Contract :6 months (extendable subject to availability of funds)
    

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Background:
Under general supervision of the Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator and direct supervision of the Administrative Operations Officer, the incumbent will perform support functions in finance field of work as indicated by the requirements and structure of the organization. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with FAO operations, programme and projects’ staff in the field.

Description of Responsibilities:
Ensures full compliance with FAO rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and ensures audit follow up and implementation of the effective internal controls framework;
-Maintains financial records for projects or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned.  Ensures that codes, records receipts and payments’  accuracy of computation and completeness of documents, and maintains continuing status of allotments against obligations;
-Finalizes the payment requests, settlement of cash advances and travel claims and ensures that supporting documents are adequate and  complete;
-Provides financial and accounting support to FAO operations focusing on achievement of the following results:
-Proper control of all types of payment requests and vouchers. This entails control of supporting documentation for vouchers/payment requests and checking for correctness of expenditure lines and project codes against which the payment requests are issued, and vouchers are posted to in FAS;
-Maintenance of the internal expenditures reporting and control system which ensures that vouchers/payment requests processed through the Imprest accounts are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in FAO financial system;
-Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliation reports;
-Timely preparation of end-of-month and yearly expenditure reports, project field balance, updating the budget monitoring tables, budget balances, field budget authorizations, transaction reports and project budget status sheets;
-Preparation of cash forecast and cash replenishments on regular basis;
-Updating the staff salaries planning tables and records;
-Prepares the FBA requests and budget revisions with coordination with the Project Managers and Procurement Unit;
-Keeps track and monitors all payments of Letter of Agreements (LOA), office rent and utilities;
-Liaises with UNDP/PAPP on a regular basis to keep abreast of new UNDP administrative and financial procedures, and to ensure that various invoices received through UNDP/PAPP office are settled in a timely manner;
-Ensures that VAT refunds are regularly checked and properly recorded both in FAS and project field balance and transaction reports;
-Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required;
-Maintains liaisons with officials of local banks to obtain information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and  matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts;
-When authorized, makes disbursements from petty cash funds and maintains records of these disbursements and balances accounts, as required;
-Prepares the year-end closure of accounts statements and reports;
-Performs other duties as and when required.

Competencies :
Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates commitment to FAO’s mission, vision and values.
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Shares knowledge and experience;
-Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to FAO Practice Areas;
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more; Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness
-Ability to perform a variety of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, making transactions, reporting;
-Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations;
-Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.

Leadership and Self-Management
-Focuses on result for the client;
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
-Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
-Demonstrates openness to change;
-Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.

Qualifications :
Education:
University degree in Accounting or Finance.

Experience:
 At least three years of progressively responsible accounting / finance experience is required at the national or international level. Excellent eexperience in the usage of computers and Microsoft office software packages and advance knowledge of spreadsheets and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Languages: 
Arabic mother tongue and excellent knowledge of English language. Working knowledge of Hebrew would be an asset.

Other: 
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”
UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly

Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.
                             
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