PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
Reporting to the Head, Project Management Team, and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Finance Officer will execute the following
responsibilities:
- Manage and maintain oversight of the Trust Fund for a Center for Chemistry and Technology (hereinafter the “Trust Fund”) and provide holistic, cross-cutting advice to the Head of Project Management Team, staff of the Project Management Group
and senior management on the Trust Fund issues;
- Advise and assist staff of the Project Management Group Managers in the formulation of funding proposals by States Parties;
- Conduct funding negotiations with States Parties and prepare agreements with the donor, working closely with the Project Management Group, LAO and BFB;
- Working closely with BFB, monitor the receipt of voluntary contributions to the trust fund to ensure consistency with the donor agreements;
- Assure the timely and sufficient release of budgetary allotments related to the trust fund;
- Prepare project income and expenditure forecasts;
- Ensure use of donor funding is in line with donor requirements;
- Monitor the status of implementation of the projects and issue the Trust Fund financial status reports to the Head of Project Management Team, the Project Management Group and senior management for the purposes of management decision-making;
- Develop and implement IPSAS compliant financial reporting structures for the project revenue, costs and assets, aligned with the new ERP system.
- Ensure OPCW compliance with the donor expectations;
- Report on time any deviations from the implementation plan to the Head of Project Management Team and donor;
- Maintain the archive for project and budget related documents covering the Trust Fund including for audit purposes;
- Coordinating with the Head of Project Management Team, Head of Budget and Finance and the Project Management Group, prepare project interim and final reports for dissemination to the donor, the Director-General and senior management, in accordance with
reporting deadlines;
- Works closely with Project Manager, BFB and other OPCW offices on all financial matters pertaining to verifications, internal and external audits and advisory bodies as required;
- Liaise with External Audit and Internal Audit regarding financial elements of project implementation.
- Perform any other duties, as requested by the Head of Project Management Team.
RECRUITING PROFILE
Education (Qualifications):
Essential: Advanced university degree preferably in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or another relevant technical field. A first level university degree in combination with additional qualifying experience (minimum
7 years) in these areas may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Essential:
At least 5 years of related experience at the national or international level in financial management
Desirable:
Experience working in a multilateral environment is desirable. A professional certification in finance and accounting (e.g. CA, CPA, ACCA) is desirable
Experience managing construction projects in an international environment.
Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of extra-budgetary fund management is desirable.
- Knowledge of international organizations and their operational and financial practices
- Knowledge of project budget preparation, forecasting, cost allocation, implementation monitoring and reporting
- Sound experience with formulation of extra-budgetary agreements, financial implementation monitoring, and reporting;
- Experience with multi donor funding projects
- Experience with budgetary and accounting matters pertaining to large capital build (constructed asset type) projects;
- Proven knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
- Experience with audit file preparation
- Proven excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and the ability to draft and edit presentational documents and reports (including financial reports)
- Proven analytical skills with regard to analysing developments and trends and the ability to conceive and
- apply original ideas.
- Flexibility, tact and discretion
- Knowledge of and familiarity with international treaties, specifically of the Chemical Weapons Convention, is desirable
- Ability to work harmoniously with people in an international environment as well as maintain confidentiality
- Familiarity with financial modules of modern ERP systems
- Good computer skills (proficiency with MS Office Excel in particular).
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
