Finance Assistant – Accounts Payable (PSA)

United Nations University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About UNU Centre Administration

UNU Centre Administration is responsible for developing and implementing administrative policies governing the UNU and its global network of institutes and programmes. In addition, UNU Centre Administration provide services to internal clients in the areas of financial management, budgeting, human resources management, travel and procurement. UNU Centre Administration is located in Tokyo, Japan, with a global services centre based in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Accountant, the Finance Assistant is responsible for supporting the payments function and maintaining suppliers’ data as well as non-capital asset data in accordance with UNU’s policies, UN Financial Regulations and Rules and established operational practices.

1. Support the global payments function

• Support global payments processing including running pay cycles, handling returned payments and responding to payment enquiries for all institutes..
• Process supplier invoices, travel requests and claims for institutes supported by the centre in Putrajaya.
• Ensure payments are substantiated with supporting documents and all documents are properly filed/archived.
• Advise the application of UNU policies and guidelines and provide solutions to payment related issues for all institutes.

2. Assist with the supplier maintenance process

• Review the registration of suppliers and maintenance of suppliers’ data records in the ERP system for all institutes.
  

3. Support the recording of asset transactions.

• Assist in maintaining non-capital asset data in the Fixed Asset module, which include registering new asset and executing asset disposals in the module for all institutes.

4. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in Finance.

• Contribute to continuous initiatives on ERP systems enhancements to enhance efficiency and productivity.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• Meet the Service Level Indicator set for routine processes.
• Timely and quality delivery of routine accounting processes.
• All team members’ tasks are readily backed up.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
• Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• Completion of Secondary Education is required.
  
  OR
  
  Diploma or a first level degree from a recognized university in finance, accounting or related disciplines.

2) Required skills and experience

• Diploma with four (4) years OR Bachelor’s degree with two (2) years of relevant working experience
• Experience in accounting and finance roles at the national or international level.
• Experience with office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and handling web-based management systems.
• Good Excel spreadsheet skills, including the use of functions and formulas, and experience in handling ERP systems.
• Result-oriented, self-motivated and hands on, with the strong ability to establish priorities, multi-task and work within tight timelines.
• Dynamic, has strong attention to details, focused, and flexible.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Japanese is desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (of/in the range of) MYR 41,398 - MYR 52,438, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

Immediate

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
  

  You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

21 February 2024

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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