Objective of the Programme and the immediate Strategic Objectives
The role of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) ensures the productivity and transparency of the technical programmes and the implementation of the EPW. BOS oversees budgetary and financial accountability with a risk-based approach to support the management of entrusted resources with close attention to value-for-money principles. BOS implements projects to improve EURO's productivity and ensure financial sustainability of the region's structures; develop a client oriented culture among the enabling services; strengthen Country Office capacities; and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and productivity. BOS strives to strengthen the capacity of the Regional Office to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHOย actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves aroundsix core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda;ย (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate andย coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Workย 2020-2025 United Action for Better Health in Europe which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at the country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country-focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is aย whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partnersย in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.
Organizational context
The work environment, The Associate (Finance - Accounting) is part of the business operation team led by the Operations Officer. The Business Operations team supports all teams and programs in the Country Office. Since 2019, the Country office has undergone a significant increase in size, both in terms of headcount, number of field offices and programme budget, and resulting complexity. The banking system and VAT system in Ukraine are considered complex in nature.ย
The role of the individual within the team:ย
The incumbent serves as a focal point for a set group of countries/clients within EURO and under the general supervision of the Operations Officer.The incumbent works with a high level of independence and responsibility to support the provision of financial services, more specifically related to financial compliance and quality assurance.ย The incumbent will be in direct contact with financial service providers and vendors with regards financial services and transactions, as well as with government authorities with regard to VAT and other tax-related issues.ย The incumbent will ensure that gender equality and human rights considerations are incorporated in their day-to-day operations. The available guidelines include: WHA and RC resolutions, European Programme of Work (EPW), GPW 13, SDGs, WHO Manual, EURO Programme Support Handbook, Staff Rules and Regulations, Financial Rules and Regulations, and Hand EUROURO SOPs. Activities not covered by established guidelines require consultation with supervisors .ย Degree of independence in decision-making. The incumbent will carry out the functions with a high level of independence and responsibility, following the requisite WHO rules and regulations. S/he will discuss and seek guidance and support from the supervisor on complex and sensitive issues.ย
Summary of Assigned duties
To provide crucial financial and accounting support to the WHO Country Office including field offices in ensuring adherence to the WHO financial rules, regulations, policies and established procedures, and in providing financial coordinating and monitoring services to ensure the efficientย running of the Country Office in support of project/programme activities. To assist the Administrative Officer by performing a variety of specialized tasks to ensure that complete, timely, and accurate information is recorded in the accounting system.
Key duties:
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Operations Officer, the incumbent performs a variety of specialisedย
finance functions and supports assigned country/client groups in the Region with below details responsibilities:
reconciliation within the Country Office.Organizes vendor payments, processes and monitors all requests for payments (travel advances and claims, payment requests, payment orders, internal commitments,etc.) against PTAEO numbers provided.ย Monitors financial transactions between the relevant bank/s and WHO CO and makes regular cash and bank transfer reconciliations.ย Maintains regular contacts with national banks and other financial institutions to obtain day-to-dayย information on exchange rates, changes in procedures and regulations.ย Using the GSM, monitor the availability of funds for project/programme budget levels and financial expenditures according to the approved country work plan.Provides support during all planning, monitoring, and evaluation exercises.ย Supports CO and EURO in planning, budgeting, mapping, and implementation monitoring with regard to the CO base salary workplans.ย Prepares financial reports for management.ย Provides administrative coordination of financial and, as required, administrative ย and logistical aspects of the organization of meetings held in the country.Establishes and maintains an online monitoring tool for the oversight of ongoing Country Office collaboration withย
counterparts, WHO Collaborating Centres and other international organisations.Reviews and analyses expenditure and encumbrance data in GSM and provides management reports, identifying trends and internal control gaps.Acts as the focal point for encumbrance management in CO and follows up with responsible officers on timely actions.Provides capacity building and transfer of expertise and knowledge to colleagues in COby identifying the training needs and providing guidance, coaching and advice in the area of finance.ย Advises, briefs and trains local personnel on all financial issuesย pertaining the office.Be the WHO focal point for the UN OMT / Finance Working Group.Act as the focal point for CO financial closure-related activities during monthly, yearly and biennial closure byย preparing reconciliations and taking timely action on clearance of outstanding items.Prepares and reviews various financial reports and analyses the data to provide useful and meaningful informationย to senior management, in support of their decision-making.ย Act as focal point for VAT aspects and other taxes in the CO, including the timely submissions of VAT claims.ย Responsible for timely reconciliation of VAT refund. Provide advice on Tax and VAT rules and regulations to colleagues in CO.ย Provide backup for other finance assistants during their absence and perform any other task as assigned by the supervisor.
ย
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Competencies
*Teamwork*Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*CommunicationEnsuring the effective use of resourcesProducing resultsย
Functional Knowledge and Skill
Demonstrated knowledge of principles of accountancy and information technology for extracting quick and correct information from financial database.ย Demonstrated knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and application of excel skills as applied data generated from GSM.ย Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
Education Qualifications
Essential: Completion of secondary school or equivalent technical or commercial school.
Desirable: Relevant higher education. Higher education degree from a college or university in business,ย
accounting or finance.
Experience
Essential: At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or finance.
Desirable: Experience in an international environment or institution. Relevant experience in WHO or in theย
UN.
Use of language skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of Ukrainian and English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other Official WHO Languages.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 23442ย ย (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
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The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
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This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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