Head of Unit, Financial Reporting

OVERVIEW
**Post Number**: BFM 014
**Grade**: P-4
**Parent Sector**: Bureau Of Financial Management (BFM)
**Duty Station**: Paris
**Job Family**: Finances
**Type of contract**: Fixed Term
**Duration of contract**: 2 years, renewable
**Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time)**: 18-OCT-2024
**UNESCO Core Values**: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The Financial and Accounting Section (FAS) is responsible for overseeing, monitoring, analysing and reporting on the financial position and financial performance of the Organization. The Section prepares the consolidated financial statements of UNESCO in compliance with its Financial Regulations and Rules, and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and reports on the annual financial results following the applicable standards. The Section is also responsible for developing and updating UNESCO’s financial & accounting policies, developing new financial management and accounting approaches in response to emerging operational needs in consultation with other areas as appropriate, and is the institutional focal point for UNESCO’s External Auditors.
Under the overall authority of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the direct supervision of the Chief of Finance and Accounting Section (FAS) within the Bureau of Financial Management, the incumbent will be responsible for managing the accounts consolidation and periodic accounts closure processes of UNESCO. S/he is responsible for the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial policies/position papers, compliant with accounting standards, and takes the lead on drafting UNESCO’s statutory financial statements in full compliance with IPSAS and the UNESCO Financial Regulations and Rules. S/he will be responsible for coordinating the actions of the functions under her/his responsibility with a view to providing expert financial advice, producing management accounting information and reports, reviewing and improving systems and the interpretation of existing and introduction of new accounting standards. S/he will establish objectives and supervise a team of Accountants in relation to the areas under her/his responsibility.
Long Description
In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
Maintain and develop IPSAS compliant accounting guidance and financial procedures in order to ensure that UNESCO’s policies and practices remain compliant with the IPSAS standards and its Financial Regulations, while also address evolving organizational business requirements.
Coordinate UNESCO’s accounts closure and consolidation processes, and prepare UNESCO’s annual consolidated financial statements, notes and schedules for the annual financial report to Member States in compliance with IPSAS.
Review all new IPSAS exposure drafts, analyse their applicability to UNESCO, the issues and challenges implementation may raise. Prepare UNESCO position papers for the Task Force on Accounting Standards, and prepare implementation plans for new Standards to be introduced once issued.
Lead technical research, including benchmarking to other United Nations organizations and International Organizations, on matters related to accounting policies and interpretations. Document accounting and financial reporting principles available to the Organization. Lead the development of UNESCO IPSAS policy papers, review ongoing changes to standards and develop/update related policies.
Collaborate closely with Field Office and Category 1 Institutes in order to strengthen the accounting capacity of finance staff in the field and to provide expert accounting advice to complex/unique accounting issues.
Manage communications and facilitate the implementation of the annual work plan of UNESCO External Auditors with regards to the annual financial statements. Coordinate the status update to Member States on the Organization's actions taken on recommendations.
Prepare and facilitate internal and external trainings, workshops, collaborative projects, and/or knowledge sharing support initiatives on accounting and IPSAS related topics.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Managing performance (M) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced University Degree (Master's or Equivalent) in Accounting, Finance or a related field;
A first-level University Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field, in combination with nine (9) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
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