SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) was established in 1949 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability, and related benefits for staff of the United Nations and other member organizations of the Fund. The Pension Fund pays benefits in 19 currencies to more than 70,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 150,700 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of the Pension Fund. The Fund has offices in New York (United States) and Geneva (Switzerland) and two liaison offices in Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand), respectively. The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA) comprises about 250 staff from diverse countries and cultures, based across four prominent duty stations (New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi). We are a career employer offering unique opportunities for growth within the United Nations system. We offer staff competitive benefits, including up to six weeks of annual leave per year, a defined benefit pension plan (not subject to variation of capital markets), parental leave, a comprehensive insurance plan, and flexible working arrangements subject to operational requirements. Our office is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance from the Grand Central Station hub, in a state-of-the-art facility (the One Dag Hammarskjöld building). Visit www.unjspf.org for more details. This position is located in the Accounts Section within Financial Services of the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Accounts Section monitors the pension contributions and the benefit overpayments, performs bank reconciliation, and conducts periodic financial reporting. The incumbent reports to Accountant and the Deputy Chief of the Section. The position is located in New York. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Accounting Assistant will be responsible for the following duties • Analyses complex and/or unusual accounting transactions and the matters related pension contributions and benefits. Makes recommendations to Accountant and the Deputy Chief of the Section on appropriate follow-up procedures. • Reviews and reconciles various clearing accounts to ensure appropriate balances. Investigates erroneous/invalid entries and takes appropriate corrective accounting action. • Audits various accounting transactions, e.g., pension contributions, benefit payments, bank credits, fees, etc., to ensure correctness of pension balances and adherence to relevant UNJSPF Rules and Regulations. • Reviews completeness of reports and relevant general ledger accounts on a periodic basis. • Prepares worksheets and analyze accounts. Assists in the preparation of financial statements for UNJSPF. • Provides guidance and training (including the preparation of training materials) to staff in UNJSPF with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems such as IPAS and Oracle EBS. • Supervises other general service staff when required. • Drafts/prepares memoranda and responds to queries by staff members, beneficiaries, member organizations, and internal and external auditors. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Performs other duties as may be required. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. A minimum of three (3) years of work experience in complex and high-volume bank reconciliation is required. A minimum of three (3) years of financial or operational work experience in a post-employment benefit scheme is desirable. Experience in Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS) or a similar ERP system is desirable. Experience in supervising staff or work of others is desirable. Experience working with the UN common system or other comparable international organizations is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).