Closing Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2009
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Chief, Payroll Unit, P-3
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28 Apr 2009
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Economic Commission for Africa
DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 09-FIN-ECA-420290-R-ADDIS ABABA (G)
Priority consideration for vacancies at the P3 level will be given to internal candidates and candidates who have passed a competitive examination. Candidates will be expected to move periodically to new functions throughout their careers and are subject to the assignment by the Secretary-General to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Remuneration
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities
This post is located in the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa. Under the general supervision of the Chief of Finance Section, the Chief, Payroll Unit will supervise the complete payment operation for salaries financed from regular and extra budgetary resources, insurance premiums, salary advances, other staff entitlements and separation entitlements. This function will include reviewing and approving disbursement and journal vouchers for a substantial number of transactions and providing guidance and interpretation of the United Nations financial rules and regulations.- As a key element of the payroll process the incumbent will be responsible for exercising financial control and ensuring the accuracy and propriety of the payment of salaries.- Provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling payment transactions.- Prepare statistical reports for various UN bodies including the Pension Fund on all pension activities. This includes remittance of contribution and reporting for restoration and validation of prior service, leave without pay and staff contributions.- Analyze and suggest improvements to the payroll system.- Sign as approving officer payment vouchers, journal vouchers, schedules, lists etc covering output of the Payroll area.- Draft related correspondence and approve replies drafted by support staff.- Respond to internal/external audit observations on payment functions.- The calculation of overpayments and recovery through payroll deductions- Developing recovery procedures and schedules to ensure rapid and full receipt of outstanding amounts.- Ensure that accurate and complete accounting is maintained, that relevant records are reconciled, and that reporting and internal control systems are functioning.- Control and maintain accounts payable and provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for transactions in this area, in accordance with Financial Regulations, Staff Rules and Regulations.- Participate in the development of payroll policies, procedures and work guidelines, with a view to improving the payment system and ensuring its consistent application.- Keep abreast of developments which could affect the organization's disbursement operations worldwide, informing supervisor/senior management accordingly.- Monitor the implementation of changes, supplying test data, verifying outputs for completeness and accuracy indicating acceptance of final results.- Organizing and distributing work assignments among staff of the Payroll area, to ensure efficient operations, and to provide adequate controls and the necessary back-up capability to cope with staff absences, etc- Perform administrative functions relating to management of the staff of the Payroll area, including coordination of leave requests, assisting in the preparation of job descriptions and of PAS reports, participation in the selection of staff, etc.
Competencies
1.Professionalism - Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and the ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, formulating options, and drawing appropriate conclusions and recommendations; complete, in-depth grasp of financial principles and practices.2.Planning and Organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work, plan along with those of staff members under his/her supervision.3.Technological awareness/Computer Skills - Proven high degree of computer literacy; Actively seek to apply technology to appropriate tasks, which includes the area of database applications, spreadsheets and word processing; Understand applicability and limitations of technology to the wok of the offices.4.Communication - Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally; Ability to prepare reports, formulate positions on issues, articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, make and defend recommendations.5.Teamwork - Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Proven ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with financial counterparts.Managing Performance - Monitor progress against benchmarks and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university Degree ( Masters degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or directly related field. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent would be an advantage.
Work Experience
At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience with complex accounting operations is required. Experience in commercial, public or government accounting is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English or French is required. A working knowledge of the other is highly desirable. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage.
Other Skills
Proficiency in computer applications including proficiency in the internet, word processing, spreadsheets, database applications and IMIS or other ERP is required.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article

. English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to ?My UN? page and check the status of your application by clicking on ?View Application History?, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.
E-mail:
eca-galaxy@un.org,
Fax: 251-11-552-1634