National Accounting and Financial Compliance Officer - Expedited Recruitment

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal and internal-equivalent candidates as well as external women candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Management in Panama and the direct supervision of the Head of Manila Institutional Services (MIFS), and in close coordination with the Finance and Accounting Division (FAD), Resources Management Officers (RMO), Regional Resources Management Officers (RRMO) in Regional Office (RO), Project Managers (PM), Chief of Missions (COM) in Americas Region, including Panama Country Office (CO) and the respective units of the Department of Resources Management (DRM), the incumbent will be responsible and accountable for supporting the management and supervision of the Panama Institutional Financial Services (PIFS), fulfilling financial reporting endorsement, accounting performance review and advisory functions covering IOM North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. He/she will provide integrated financial and accounting support and recommendations to Offices to ensure compliance with IOM´s overall accounting regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Global functions 

  • Support the supervision of the performance and workload of the Panama Institutional Financial Services and verify that tasks are performed in an integrated manner and with the necessary level of integrity. 

  • As assigned by the Head of MIFS, identify needs for procedural and policy improvements in accounting/financial reporting area with a view to enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, with due regard to internal controls, IOM financial management rules and procedures.

  • In coordination with the Head of MIFS, provide support, comments and recommendations to FAD related to finance, accounting, and internal controls policy development.

  • Undertake quality review of dedicated accounts and summarize exceptions, deviations and errors noted and recommend appropriate corrective actions to the Head of MIFS.

  • Support the Head of MIFS with external and internal audit planning, whilst actively contributing to implementing Audit recommendations.

  B. Regional Accounting Support – Americas, HQ, MAC CO

  Risk Management and Evaluation:

  • Support monitoring the accounting compliance of all offices in the assigned regions, with specific attention and close support provided to the CO’s with Very High and High priority category as per harmonized accounting profile rating tool.

  • Work closely with the RRMO’s in the region to review any concerns related to the CO’s financial accounting and financial reporting performance, and coordinate recommendations in advisory capacity.

    C. Monthly and Periodic Accounts Reviews:

  • Ensure that all assigned CO’s undergo Periodic Checklist Reviews during the year and that the minimum requirements for reviews are met based on the CO accounting profile assessment and priority rating approved by FAD.

  • Supervise and review period checklists and monthly closure reviews prepared by the Regional Accounting Focal Points (RAF). Review findings with the RAFs before submission to the CO’s, ensuring correct and standard recommendations and supporting with the follow up the outstanding issues, when needed. 

  • Supervise, manage, and closely review the periodical project balance review in close coordination with the RAFs on all findings prior to submission to the CO’s, ensuring correct and standard recommendations and supporting with the follow up the outstanding issues. Any potential project risks, deficits, anomalies are to be escalated in close coordination with the Head of PFRS.

  • Follow up and facilitate on the clearance of open items before the central monthly closure, including the monitoring of clearing suspense, transit and clearing accounts and timely receipt of completed accounting returns. 

  • Work in coordination with the RO’s, to support CO’s with the periodic closures of accounts and to resolve complex long outstanding matters and recommend exceptional extensions to month-end closure for CO’s in Americas region.

  • Global functions 

  • Support the supervision of the performance and workload of the Panama Institutional Financial Services and verify that tasks are performed in an integrated manner and with the necessary level of integrity. 

  • As assigned by the Head of MIFS, identify needs for procedural and policy improvements in accounting/financial reporting area with a view to enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, with due regard to internal controls, IOM financial management rules and procedures.

  • In coordination with the Head of MIFS, provide support, comments and recommendations to FAD related to finance, accounting, and internal controls policy development.

  • Undertake quality review of dedicated accounts and summarize exceptions, deviations and errors noted and recommend appropriate corrective actions to the Head of MIFS.

  • Support the Head of MIFS with external and internal audit planning, whilst actively contributing to implementing Audit recommendations.

  • Regional Accounting Support – Americas, HQ, MAC CO

  • Risk Management and Evaluation:

  • Support monitoring the accounting compliance of all offices in the assigned regions, with specific attention and close support provided to the CO’s with Very High and High priority category as per harmonized accounting profile rating tool.

  • Work closely with the RRMO’s in the region to review any concerns related to the CO’s financial accounting and financial reporting performance, and coordinate recommendations in advisory capacity.

    C. Monthly and Periodic Accounts Reviews:

  • Ensure that all assigned CO’s undergo Periodic Checklist Reviews during the year and that the minimum requirements for reviews are met based on the CO accounting profile assessment and priority rating approved by FAD.

  • Supervise and review period checklists and monthly closure reviews prepared by the Regional Accounting Focal Points (RAF). Review findings with the RAFs before submission to the CO’s, ensuring correct and standard recommendations and supporting with the follow up the outstanding issues, when needed. 

  • Supervise, manage, and closely review the periodical project balance review in close coordination with the RAFs on all findings prior to submission to the CO’s, ensuring correct and standard recommendations and supporting with the follow up the outstanding issues. Any potential project risks, deficits, anomalies are to be escalated in close coordination with the Head of PFRS.

  • Follow up and facilitate on the clearance of open items before the central monthly closure, including the monitoring of clearing suspense, transit and clearing accounts and timely receipt of completed accounting returns. 

  • Work in coordination with the RO’s, to support CO’s with the periodic closures of accounts and to resolve complex long outstanding matters and recommend exceptional extensions to month-end closure for CO’s in Americas region.

    D. Project Financial Reports Endorsement and reviews:

  • Review the CO’s submitted draft donor financial reports, and required review actions by PIFS staff accurately completed, prior to endorsement overall within a reasonable timeframe.

  • Provide a weekly update of the donor reporting review to ensure that delays in donor reports endorsement are identified and escalated to Head of MIFS.

  • Ensure consistency in the application of donor reports formats and requirements by IOM and the donors.

  • Ensure support provided to the COs with project adjustments and closures and issues related to foreign exchange accounting within project financial reporting. 

  • Identify projects on a continuous basis with potential deficits, coordinate with the Head of MIFS for follow-up and escalation to FAD accordingly.

E. Other support services

• In coordination with the Head of PFRS undertake duty travels, including training execution on accounting and financial matters as assigned.

• Perform any other duties within the area of responsibilities as may be required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Business Administration or Accounting. Certified Public Accountant or equivalent from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience; or,

• Master’s degree in above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Experience in the field of accounting, finance, or information systems. Audit experience a definite advantage. 

• Experience with international organizations and with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards is desired.

• Knowledge of accounting systems plus the generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls. 

• Computer literacy including proficiency in MS Office applications.

• Experience in IOM administrative and financial management, budget monitoring, cash management and internal control procedures.

• Experience in the usage of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and data analysis.

• Experience supervising the development and implementation of administrative control procedures.

• Experience in managing a team and working remotely with varied stakeholders.

Skills

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.

• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in English is required.

Working knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2, if with direct reports

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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