INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.
Accounting Assistant
Vacancy notice no: 1179
Sector: SG
Department: FRMD
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva
Position number:
Grade: G5
Type of contract: Short-term
Duration of contract: 6 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 19 June 2023
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The General Secretariat directs all the administrative and financial aspects of the Union's activities, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication matters for operational and other purposes, the provision of legal advice to the Bureaux of the Union and the departments of the General Secretariat, logistic support to the Union's activities including conferences, the coordination of the work of the Union with other international organizations, the dissemination of information to the Member States and Sector Members, press, corporate and individual users of telecommunications and the general public. The General Secretariat is also responsible for the organization of world telecommunication exhibitions and forums.
Within the General Secretariat, the Financial Resources Management Department (FRMD) advises the Secretary General on financial resources management, accounting issues and procurement. It manages ITU's financial resources ensuring consistency with ITU strategies, policies, regulations and rules as well as UN Common System policies. It also ensures sound and balanced financial management of the Union; provides support and strategic advice on financial, budgetary and procurement matters, with a goal to strengthen ITU's financial system.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the Accounts Division, under the supervision of the Head, Accounts Division, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Verify and record suppliers invoices related to extra-budgetary funds, such as Funds-in-Trust (FIT), UNDP, Voluntary contributions, ICT Development Fund (ICTDF) and TELECOM, liaising with counterparts for clarifications and inputs as needed.
- Verify and record the travel authorizations related to advance, claim, home leave and follow-up on missing documentation.
- Draw up, verify and record accountings documents related to the extra budgetary accounts, together with bank accounts and staff accounts. Conduct the monthly reconciliation of the bank statements and review statements for accuracy.
- Review, calculate and post to accounts all inter-office vouchers (IOV) drawn up by the UNDP offices, ensuring that the information provided is complete and in conformity with the Financial Regulations. Follow-up and explain any differences with respect to commitments and perform any necessary research. Debit the corresponding budgetary accounts.
- Identify IOV discrepancies and provide monthly report to UNDP with reconciliation and claim on unjustified amounts.
- Identify and rectify accounting and data inconsistencies or irregularities and inform supervisors, seeking guidance and assistance on solutions.
- Check and reconcile all the UNDP suspense accounts.
- Draft standard correspondence as well as letters to clients for the purpose of obtaining information and clarifying anomalies found in the course of checking documents.
- Provide assistance in and analysis for the preparation of annual financial statements.
- Perform other duties as required.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Good knowledge of office automation systems: spreadsheet (Excel), word processing (Winword). Working knowledge of a major computerized accounting system, preferably SAP. Ability to work rapidly and accurately with figures. Ability to analyse figures. Ability to use initiative and judgement as well as to work independently.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
Complete secondary education with a diploma OR complete equivalent technical or commercial studies with a diploma. For internal candidates, obligatory schooling in combination with ten years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of complete secondary education with a diploma for promotion or rotation purposes.
Experience:
At least five years of experience in the field of the post. (A maximum of three years of studies in the field of the post and in a recognized school may replace the required experience on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience).
Languages:
Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to ITU Staff Regulations and Rules, appointments to posts in the General Service categoryare subject to local recruitment conditions.
INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU Careers website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.
