Finance officer, P3

Grade: P3

Vacancy no.: DC/ISSA/P/2024/03

Publication date: 27 November 2024

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 14 Janvier 2025

Job ID: 12572

Department: ISSA

Organization Unit: ISSA

Location: Geneva

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable)

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to E-Mail schreiben.

Introduction

The position is located in the Resources and Services Unit (RES) of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The ISSA, established in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is the leading global organization for social security institutions, and related government departments. The ISSA counts over 330 member organizations from 162 countries. As a voluntary membership-based organization, the ISSA provides relevant knowledge-based services to effectively support its members to work towards excellence in social security administration. In order to respond appropriately to the diverse needs and priorities of its global membership, the ISSA implements a triennial programme of technical and regional activities.

Under the direction of the Head of RES, the incumbent is responsible for the coordination of ISSA's finance, procurement and investment related activities. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of ISSA quality management system and internal controls.

The incumbent reports directly to the Head of RES.

Description of Duties

• Monitor and update the internal control and management systems (ISO 9001 certified). Ensure compliance with established rules, regulations, and directives. Participate in the ISO 9001 annual reviews and triennial re-certification processes. Contribute to internal audits, draft reports, and recommendations, and oversee corrective actions for audit findings.
• Contribute to the application of Swiss, European, and international regulations on data protection (RGPD) and other Swiss legal aspects. Manage and maintain RGPD documentation and related records in line with legal requirements.
• Ensure that the ISSA ERP meets financial and accounting requirements, manage new integrations and maintain and update system and process documentation. Implement workflows to enhance financial and budgetary controls, inventory of assets, ensuring data integrity, and robust security protocols. Coordinate the creation of interactive dashboards, ad-hoc reports and KPI.
• Maintain the financial procedures related to the assigned operations, draft circulars, manuals and training materials as necessary.
• Analyse accounts and financial documents and initiate action to correct situations where anomalies occur. Control income and expenditure and prepare periodic analyses of the financial situation. Verify monthly accounts and take corrective action, examine requests to incur obligations in light of availability of funds. Monitor and review selected financial transactions and documents (e.g., budget proposals, payment requests, payroll data etc.) prior to entry into the finance system; ensure implementation of procedures to control and monitor income and expenditure.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of financial data across ISSA databases, including but not limited to financial information such as MoStat and Branches.
• Provide administrative support to bidding processes. Analyse and evaluate vendors and proposals, taking into consideration various factors affecting technical specifications of item, cost, price and contractual arrangements. Review purchase requisitions received to ensure that the description of goods, services and related purchase specifications are adequate to permit procurement by formally invited bids or by negotiation.
• Administer and monitor extra-budgetary and external collaboration agreements, excluding the expert loan program including but not limited to review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Monitor portfolio investments and short-term placements in line with the ISSA Investment Policy and approved credit limits. Track investment activities and manage maturities.
• Prepare recurrent and ad hoc financial and budgetary reports and relevant explanations, as requested by the supervisor. Participate in the interim and end of the year closing processes. Follow-up on external audit recommendations and draft responses to audit inquiries and observations for consideration of supervisor.
• May act as certifying officer and certify financial documents and transactions or escalate to supervisor as appropriate, providing explanations and suggesting remedial or alternative action
• Provides training and guidance to the ISSA staff by keeping abreast of changes to applicable financial standards and best practices.
• Contribute to other ISSA activities and projects by performing on duties as required by the Secretary General or the Head of the Unit.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master) in business administration, financial management, accounting or related fields. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A Chartered or Certified Accounting/Auditing Qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIA, Swiss Certified Public Accountant) is highly desirable.

Experience

A minimum of five years of directly relevant experience in finance, auditing, and accounting, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of English or French (oral and written), and a working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Spanish or German would be advantageous.

Competencies

Technical competencies and necessary qualifications

• In depth knowledge of Swiss regulations including Swiss accounting and tax legislation.
• In-depth knowledge of financial administration and accounting.
• Familiarity with internal control systems and ISO certification processes.
• Experience with investment and treasury operations.
• Expertise in ERP systems and knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Behavioural Competences

• Strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, adapt to changing priorities, and perform under pressure.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Attention to detail and high-quality service standards.
• Effective communication and training capabilities.
• Discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.

To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account E-Mail schreiben - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.