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Head, Accounts and Reporting (P-4)


Principal Functions

    Under the general direction of the Branch Head, the post holder will handle operational treasury, financial and accounting functions as well as supervising and guiding a team of treasury, accounting and financial management specialists in the specific areas below: 

     

    1. Preparing financial statements of the OPCW and the Provident Fund of the OPCW in accordance with IPSAS, including statements, schedules and annexes of the budgetary accounts, as well as other financial reports both on the assessed and extra-budgetary contributions of States Parties.

      1. Prepares detailed financial closure schedules and memoranda on closure requirements and associated information requests from organisational units as well as an external actuary, and briefs parties concerned on their roles and responsibilities;  
      2. Examines, analyses and reviews accounting information extracted from different information technology systems, and determines necessary adjustments and corrections on data, ensuring conformity with the OPCW Financial Regulations and Rules, financial directives and IPSAS requirements; 
      3. Keeps up to date on revisions of IPSAS standards, and ensures compliance of accounting operations and financial statements with IPSAS;  
      4. Ensures accurate and timely preparation of all mandatory financial reports, including income and expenditure reports and ad-hoc donor reports on voluntary contributions for the Executive Council, Conference of the States Parties and other Governing Bodies as well as official documents for the PMO; 
      5. Identifies issues and provides recommendations for corrective actions in response to internal and external audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the OPCW Financial and Staff Regulations 

     

    1. Coordinating and Supervising the work of the Treasury, Accounts and Reporting section.  

      1. Proposes approaches and finds solutions to financial and accounting problems, usually in close co-operation with staff responsible for the specialised area of work;
      2. Monitors cash management and the investments of the OPCW surplus funds in the regular budget, trust funds and other funds, keeping the highest standard with regard to capital preservation, liquidity and rate of return of the invested funds, and in accordance with all Financial Regulations, Rules and Directives; 
      3. Briefs and guides staff on proposed concepts, internal control procedures, policies and approaches;  
      4. Exercises overall supervision of the section’s staff by providing authoritative advice and interpretation of financial policies and regulations and rules; 
      5. Formulates working guidelines and accounting manuals ensuring compliance with financial regulations and accounting standards; 
      6. Plans, integrates and establishes the annual work plan of the section and monitors the achievement of objectives; 
      7. Monitors work status and quality, conducts performance appraisal of staff, recommends staff development and training needs in accordance with relevant polices and procedures. 

     

    1. Coordinating the ongoing stabilisation of the Financial Modules of a new ERP system modules.  

      1. Acts as a focal point of the financial aspects of the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) and other IT systems; 
      2. Undertakes business process review of financial and accounting requirements and recommends how these should be incorporated in the new ERP of the OPCW;
      3. Works closely with ERP team, to ensure that key financial business processes are fully integrated with other modules in the ERP framework

     

    1. Supervises the maintenance of accurate day-to-day accounting records, including planning and coordination with parties concerned on month-end and year-end activities ensuring the implementation of Financial Regulations and Rules and improvements to the financial accounting processes, systems and controls.

      1. Develops and administers accounting policies and practices for the accurate maintenance of general ledger and other accounting records for the financial transactions and balances of the OPCW; 
      2. Develops and implements new initiatives in support of the continuous improvement of key accounting and financial reporting policies and processes;
      3. Applies professional skills and judgement to the accounting and financial reporting requirements of the OPCW, including development of appropriate accounting policies, accurate accounting for transactions and balances, robust periodical processes and reconciliations to maintain the general ledger and other accounting records, and preparation of timely and accurate financial reports/statements;
      4. Approves all accounting entries including journals for accruals, recording of income receipts and adjustments to the accounts, and ensures timely recording of all financial transactions;
      5. Approves the reconciliation of all bank accounts, assets and liability accounts, and monitors and identifies solutions to long outstanding items;
      6. Initiates and/or or provides advice on effective and efficient financial processes and controls, contributes to the design and development of new financial systems; ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained;
      7. Prepares notes and replies to internal and external audit observations, maintaining a productive and responsive liaison with internal and external auditors;
      8. Provides high quality and timely written and verbal advice to senior staff members of the Secretariat, including preparation of administrative guidance and explanatory analysis in relation to accounting/financial matters and financial reports.

     

    1. Oversees and monitors the timely and efficient collection of income and receivables from assessed contributions, voluntary contributions, reimbursements of inspection costs (Article IV and V), taxes and other receipts.

      1. Applies appropriate stewardship in the collection and banking of income received by the OPCW (including regular reconciliation of transactions);
      2. Supervises the preparation of the annual scale of assessments for the funding of the approved budget by the Member States; and application of final cash surpluses to Member States;
      3. Ensures the implementation of collection procedures for annual contributions and monitoring of arrears and timely follow-up and issuance of assessment notices, reminder notices and receipt vouchers to member states; 
      4. Supervises the timely invoicing of inspection costs to States Parties, and ensures proper record keeping of all costs and payments received; 
      5. Reviews donor agreements on voluntary contributions, meets specific reporting requirements, and then issues financial reports within the established deadlines;
      6. Supervises the timely invoicing of all miscellaneous income such as VAT and other taxes, reimbursable costs from UN agencies, rental fees and other charges; 
      7. Reviews or drafts correspondence to Member States, follows up or responds to queries from member states representatives on outstanding payments

     

    1. Performs other duties as required.

    Knowledge and Experience

    Education

    Essential

    Advanced University degree in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration or related field. (A first degree with 9 years directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree).


    Essential Certification

    Certification from an internationally recognised accounting body (e.g., CPA, CA, ACCA etc.).


    Experience

    Essential

    At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in accountancy and/or financial audit; 

    Experience in an international organisation and in application of international accounting standards; 

    Knowledge of UN procedures, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). 


    Desirable

    Extensive experience in, budgeting and financial management; 

    A mix of private sector and public sector work experience.


    Skills and Abilities (key competencies):

    1. Expert knowledge of IPSAS and generally-accepted accounting principles; 
    2. Excellent IT literacy in use of integrated accounting systems;
    3. Excellent judgement and integrity; genuinely interested in the business, agenda, and needs of others;
    4. Excellent managerial and leadership skills to manage and motivate teams, with demonstrated ability to follow up carefully and closely in a constructive and supportive manner ensuring both correct work, and support of the team relationships;
    5. Excellent inter-personal and communications skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally; stimulate and motivate others while being aware of and responsive to their needs and concerns;
    6. Strong analytical, planning and organisational skills;
    7. Proven ability in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
    8. Customer service-oriented approach;
    9. Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritise and work within deadlines; 
    10. Ability to produce accurate and detailed work quickly, correctly, and efficiently under time pressure

    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.


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