Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Finance Unit (FU) of the Finance, Client Services & Records Management Section (FCSRMS) in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), Geneva Office.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Finance Officer in the UNJSPF Office in Geneva, the Accounting Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

A) Payroll related activities:
• Processes all payroll related activities such as: suspension of benefits, recovery of overpayment through payroll, completion of benefits etc. 
• Reviews request for change in payment instructions and enters data into UNJSP payroll system and prepares related correspondence to beneficiaries.•Drafts replies to routine questions related to monthly payments.

B) Treasury/Cashier related activities: 
• Reviews claims of non-receipt.
• Obtains correct banking information from beneficiaries.
• Steps up non-monthly payments, re-instates suspended benefits, re-issues returned payments•Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges. 

C) Accounts related activities:
• Assists in preparing computations related to validation of prior non-contributory service, restoration of prior contributory service and actuarial cost for recognition of service. 
• Examines personnel actions, status reports, applications, confirmations from organizations and all other relevant documents to ensure compliance with the Regulations and Rules of the Fund.
• Prepares calculation of amount due on transfer of pension rights to outside Pension Fund with which UNJSPF has agreements and drafts related correspondence. 
• Calculates estimate oncontributory service due on transfer of pension rights from outside Pension Fund with which UNJSPF has agreements and drafts related correspondence. 
• Calculates estimate on contributory service due to validation of prior non-contribution service as well as restoration of prior contributory service. 
• Assists in analysing and solving discrepancies in computer generated contribution and contributory service reports for UNOG. Identifies the problems through detailed review of participation files, audit notes and related year-end schedules. Proposes means to prevent recurrence of problems.
• Responds to queries from beneficiaries and (former) staff members .

D) Performs other duties as may be required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: 
-Knowledge and application of relevant rules and regulations of the UNJSPF and Pension Adjustment System procedures. 
-Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, interpret and analyse a wide variety of data. 
-Ability to identify and 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.

• PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 
-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. 
-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. 
-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. 
-Uses time efficiently 

• ACCOUNTABILITY: 
-Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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.

• CLIENT ORIENTATION: 
-Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. 
-Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect.
-Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
-Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems.
-Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.
-Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in accounting, finance or related area of which preferably three (3) in the United Nations system. Experience supporting international banking transfer processes and working with a Finance/Accounting ERP system are highly desirable. Experience in the application of UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNJSPF Rules and Regulations and Pension Adjustment System or those of a similar international body is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required and knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat.

Any candidate from a member organization of the UNJSPF applying for this post is considered as an internal candidate provided he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promotion procedures applicable in his/her respective organization. 

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

United Nations Considerations

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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.