Finance Officer

The position is located in the Regional Administrative Services Section (RAS) of the  Regional Office for Africa (RO-Africa) in Abidjan. . RO-Africa has overall political and managerial responsibilities for the promotion of ILO principles and policies in the region and provides strategic guidance and support to all country offices and Decent Work Technical Support Teams  in the region. RAS is responsible for all the financial, administrative and budgetary matters in the region, provision of managerial and administrative advisory services to Directors of ILO offices in the region as well as advising units at headquarters on the region’s requirements with respect to financial and administrative policies and practices.

The position will perform duties related to accounting, budgetary and finance matters of the Regional Office, including on the operation of the accounting system and the financial management of and reporting on regular budget and extra-budgetary resources and activities, ensuring compliance with the applicable financial rules, regulations and procedures.  The position will also provide support and assistance to the finance and administrative function of country offices.

The position will report to the Chief, RAS.

1. Oversee the operation of the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS) financial functionality at the Regional Office and act as the IRIS focal point for financial issues in the region. Provide day-to-day managerial and operational guidance to country office finance and administrative officers on financial and administrative issues and bring to the attention of the Chief of RAS issues of greater complexity or significance.
2. Perform Funds Control Officer duties.
3. Periodically update the bank signatory panels of all office and project bank accounts in the region as a result of changes in signatory panel members.
4. Coordinate the annual and biennial accounts closure exercise in the Regional Office by transmitting to country offices closure schedules and instructions, ensuring compliance with set deadlines, receiving and collating required information in IPSAS- related applications such as NAACELL and INI, consolidation and submission to the relevant units at HQ.
5. Monitor, review and clear non-budgetary general ledger accounts’ balances of the Regional Office and Country Offices in the region.
6. Supervise the bank reconciliations of the Regional Office and Country Offices in the region. 
7. Assist in the preparation of biennial Programme and budget proposals of the Regional Office.
8. Undertake missions to country and project offices within the region to provide assistance on financial administration.
9. Organize or assist with the organization and preparation of training programmes for regional finance and administrative staff, draft training and guidance documents on results-based budgeting and act as a resource person.
10. Represent the ILO at inter-agency Organizational Management Team meetings and working groups on specific topics under his/her competence.
11. Support offices within the region on related functions within the UN system.
12. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

1. Receive and analyse accounts and financial documents giving particular attention to apparent anomalies or unusual trends and initiating action to correct situations where anomalies occur; review regular financial reports, and prepare reports, correspondence and advice on complex cases.
2. Provide advice and guidance concerning the Organization=s financial practices and rules and provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions in the operation supervised (e.g., authorising payments, approving salary payments, approving budgets and various accounting documents).
3. Review the operational efficiency of the assigned organisational/account area from managerial or accounting perspectives in order to improve the operation (including development of automated applications).
4. Supervise staff performing financial operations and producing periodic financial statements; correct and adapt the analytical work of subordinate professional and general service staff.
5. Manage the operation of the financial services of the area of responsibility and prepare related managerial reports.
6. Monitor and review selected financial transactions and documents (e.g., budget proposals, payment requests, requests for financial clearance, ACDs, payroll data etc.) prior to entry into the finance system; ensure implementation of procedures to control and monitor income and expenditure.
7. Prepare recurrent and ad hoc reports and relevant explanations, as requested by senior management.
8. Define requirements and terms of reference for systems specialists to produce specialised reports from the financial database and systems applications.
9. Maintain the financial procedures related to the assigned operation; draft circulars, manuals and training materials as necessary.
10. Prepare draft replies to internal and external audit observations concerning the assigned operation.
11. Analyse budget information to prepare and consolidate estimates and supporting data in relation to budget forecasts, performance reports and medium-term plans; review financial provisions of project agreements and documents; assess budget requests and draft budget proposals.
12. Other related functions, as requested.

Advanced university degree in business administration, finance or accounting or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA)) in order to have knowledge and understanding of the application of financial principles and procedures and of the whole structure of accounts.

Professional financial and accounting experience at the national level for over three years and two years at the international level.

Excellent command of English or French and working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
 

Technical Competencies - Ability to analyse financial information from several sources, examining documentation; to resolve any apparent anomalies. Ability to plan and coordinate moderately complex projects or programmes. Ability to draft reports and explain decisions effectively to staff within the organization. Ability to draft procedures for internal use which reflect sound financial rules. Ability to use common office computer applications; familiarity with computerized accounting packages.

Behavioural competencies  

Ability to motivate staff, establish team objectives, assign and supervise work and ensure that quality service/work is provided to clients.  Discretion is required as work may involve dealing with confidential material. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.