Finance Officer - World Health Organization

The accounts and Finance Management Unit (AFM) provides budget and finance management services to WHO programmes and administration, as well as provides support to the management of fixed assets of the Organization in the African region. The scope of work includes award management, labour distribution planning and control, imprest and other accounts management, treasury, expenditures management and staff health insurance.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Accounts and Finance Management (AFM), the incumbent will perform the following functions in support of payments and GL accounts management in the Region:

• Oversee payment processes either offline or through iSupplier in GSM; ensure the accuracy of background documents before to approve payment requests.
• Build capacity of staff, relevant managers and AFRO services providers on WHO invoices processing and payment system; prepare related communication and briefing materials.
• Coordinate follow-up on all AFRO invoices on hold and encumbrances.
• Manage all AFRO supplier's creation/updates; regularly analyze suppliers' report and provide orientation on the improvement of transactions concerning identified recurrent/big suppliers.
• Regularly check the AFRO iSupplier users' list (approvers and preparers), and approve updates, where appropriate.
• In consultation with budget centres, ensure timely replenishment of all AFRO bank accounts, submitting requests to either HQ, via e-banking or through iSupplier; follow up on effective inflows for the purpose of confirmation to HQ, where required
• Provide critical analysis on current payment procedures and submit proposals to address identified areas of improvement.
• Approve financial records and financial transactions relating to his/her area of work: journal vouchers, and expenditures batches.
• Coordinate reconciliation of General Ledger (GL) Accounts: follow up on pending transactions, including, but not limited to, VAT recovery, donor and other miscellaneous receipts, ACT/BFO items.
• Monthly report on accounts status with detailed analysis on transactions ageing more than 90 days.
• Provide critical analysis on Accounts and GL management procedures to identify areas of improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: University degree in Accounting Management sciences, Business or Public Administration or Finance. For WHO staff only, equivalent professional training or self-study/work experience.
• Desirable: An advanced university degree (Masters's level or above) in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field. Professional qualification or licensure in Accounting/Accountancy, certification as CPA or Chartered Accountant will be an advantage.

Experience

• Essential: Five (5) years of professional experience at the national or international level in finance, programme planning and/or budget/accounting activities. Demonstrated experience in accounting and consolidation of financial data using ERP systems or similar packages.
• Desirable: Experience in WHO, other UN agencies, and international or multinational organizations.

Skills

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and implement inputs from several sources; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; create synthesized reports and monitor trends in account balances and the ledger at the highest level; to interpret financial rules and regulations and develop standard operating procedures; to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds; have supervisory skills to coach and mentor team members.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting and budgetary principles and their application.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant financial computer applications preferably Oracle Enterprise resource planning (ERP) or similar packages.
• Strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of WHO rules, regulations, policies and practices would be an asset.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Use of Language Skills
• Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Desirable:
• The above language requirements are interchangeable.