Head of Unit, Financial Reporting & Accounting (Paris, France) contract

Post Number : BFM 014

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Bureau Of Financial Management (BFM)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Finances

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-OCT-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

The Financial and Accounting Section (FAS) is responsible for overseeing, monitoring, analysing and reporting on the financial position and financial performance of the Organization. The Section prepares the consolidated financial statements of UNESCO in compliance with its Financial Regulations and Rules, and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and reports on the annual financial results following the applicable standards. The Section is also responsible for developing and updating UNESCO’s financial & accounting policies, developing new financial management and accounting approaches in response to emerging operational needs in consultation with other areas as appropriate, and is the institutional focal point for UNESCO’s External Auditors. 

Under the overall authority of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the direct supervision of the Chief of Finance and Accounting Section (FAS) within the Bureau of Financial Management, the incumbent will be responsible for managing the accounts consolidation and periodic accounts closure processes of UNESCO. S/he is responsible for the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial policies/position papers, compliant with accounting standards, and takes the lead on drafting UNESCO’s statutory financial statements in full compliance with IPSAS and the UNESCO Financial Regulations and Rules. S/he will be responsible for coordinating the actions of the functions under her/his responsibility with a view to providing expert financial advice, producing management accounting information and reports, reviewing and improving systems and the interpretation of existing and introduction of new accounting standards. S/he will establish objectives and supervise a team of Accountants in relation to the areas under her/his responsibility.
 

In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Maintain and develop IPSAS compliant accounting guidance and financial procedures in order to ensure that UNESCO’s policies and practices remain compliant with the IPSAS standards and its Financial Regulations, while also address evolving organizational business requirements. 
• Coordinate UNESCO’s accounts closure and consolidation processes, and prepare UNESCO’s annual consolidated financial statements, notes and schedules for the annual financial report to Member States in compliance with IPSAS. 
• Provide expert guidance on accounting policies to ensure consistent application of Financial Regulations, Rules and Accounting Policies (IPSAS) covering all business units.
• Review all new IPSAS exposure drafts, analyse their applicability to UNESCO, the issues and challenges implementation may raise. Prepare UNESCO position papers for the Task Force on Accounting Standards, and prepare implementation plans for new Standards to be introduced once issued.
• Lead technical research, including benchmarking to other United Nations organizations and International Organizations, on matters related to accounting policies and interpretations. Document accounting and financial reporting principles available to the Organization. Lead the development of UNESCO IPSAS policy papers, review ongoing changes to standards and develop/update related policies. 
• Collaborate closely with Field Office and Category 1 Institutes in order to strengthen the accounting capacity of finance staff in the field and to provide expert accounting advice to complex/unique accounting issues. 
• Manage communications and facilitate the implementation of the annual work plan of UNESCO External Auditors with regards to the annual financial statements. Coordinate the status update to Member States on the Organization’s actions taken on recommendations. 
• Prepare and facilitate internal and external trainings, workshops, collaborative projects, and/or knowledge sharing support initiatives on accounting and IPSAS related topics.

Education 

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or Equivalent) in Accounting, Finance or a related field; 
• A first-level University Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field, in combination with nine (9) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Professional certification as chartered accountant (CA) or certified public accountant (CPA) or active membership at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or another recognized professional accountancy body is required.

Work Experience 

• For Masters degree holders: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in corporate level accounting, including preparation of organizational financial statements, with great level of independence and supervision of staff in a multinational/international organization environment, of which preferably three (3) years acquired at international level;
• For Bachelor degree holders: A minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in corporate level accounting, including preparation of organizational financial statements, with great level of independence and supervision of staff in a multinational/international organization environment, of which preferably three (3) years acquired at international level;
• Extensive and demonstrated experience in the application of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Demonstrated experience in researching and analyzing accounting standards, policies and procedures and formulating related recommendations to management.

Skills and competencies

• Successful track record in a key role played in the accounts consolidation and the production of consolidated corporate financial statements under internationally recognized accounting standards for external audit;
• Capability to facilitate remote collaborations, including highly decentralized financial and accounting practices;
• Ability to assimilate and analyze complex issues to develop policies and processes;
• High level of computer literacy, in particular advanced experience in the use of the ERP systems;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to provide technical advice to a broad range of stakeholders on accounting matters; and,
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks within tight timelines.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other. 

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of UNESCO and/or United Nations financial regulations, policies, procedures and financial reporting practices is desired.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).