Address.
Qualifications
OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Department of Financial Management and Reporting (FRM) oversees the financial transactions of the Organization by establishing its financial regulations and rules, as well as the accounting policies and procedures; processes the disbursement of funds; prepares the financial statements of the Organization including the reporting of regular funds and extra-budgetary funds; and monitors the inflow of funding and utilization of these resources; and is responsible for investments and banking, financial analysis, the monitoring of the field offices’ financial administration, Staff Health Insurance, and the processes and systems involved with FRM’s area of responsibility.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director of Administration (AM), and the direct supervision of the Director, Financial Resources Management (FRM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
1. Strategic Leadership:
• Lead and provide technical guidance and direction for the management and integration of
financial operations related to the Organization’s Procurement Funds; serve as key strategic
advisor to senior management on financial matters under the area of responsibility;
• Manage the Voluntary Contributions and Revolving Funds Team; plan, coordinate, and approve work plans; oversee and ensure completion of key deliverables; lead and mentor the team, promoting a collaborative and high-performing work environment; monitor progress and implement opportunities for efficiency improvements;
• Establish and manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the teams under responsibility, aligning them with PAHO’s and FRM’s strategic goals;
• Develop and implement training programs for staff, enhancing skills in financial management and accounting standards;
• Lead initiatives to identify and implement automation in accounting reporting and monitoring processes, under the area of responsibility, reducing manual workload and enhancing operational efficiency;
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships:
• Engage with stakeholders and act as financial technical expert in negotiated agreements.
• Develop and promote strategic partnerships and maintenance of good relations with Regional Revolving Funds, External Relations and Partnerships divisions as well as administrative, technical offices and country offices.
3. Financial Oversight and Reporting:
• Ensure the integrity and compliance with PAHO regulations and rules of Voluntary Contributions and Revolving Funds information and records in PAHO corporate systems. Investigate and resolve issues as required.
• Support PAHO country offices and technical areas and work closely with Legal Office as well as Regional Revolving Funds, External Relations and Partnerships divisions, in the negotiation of grants and framework agreements, particularly clauses that require compliance with fiduciary duties and financial aspects.
• Lead in the process of monitoring of contributions receivables; unspent balances; and provide recommendations on management actions.
• Provide leadership in the guidance to internal stakeholders with regard to the processing of contributions, and other funding arrangements in adherence with PAHO Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, and directives.
• Ensure that statutory and internal financial reporting requirements of Voluntary Contributions and Revolving Funds are met, including accurate and timely completion of monthly and annual financial closures of accounts.
4. Donor Reporting and Relation:
• Monitor, analyze and prepare financial reports on the financial position of projects and funds of Voluntary Contributions and Revolving Funds, ensuring compliance with agreements and organizational policies.
• Provide advice on complex issues and participate directly in negotiations with the goal of identifying creative solutions to meet donor requirements while at the same time ensuring compliance with PAHO policy and in support of PAHO’s objectives.
• Contribute towards meeting donors’ expectations in management of financial resources in an effort to reduce financial management and reputational risk for the organization. This includes providing expert level input to donor reviews (e.g. verifications, due diligence assessments, “Value for Money” studies) to demonstrate that PAHO is a prudent manager of financial resources.
• Provide ongoing quality assurance of certified donor reports before issuance, supports PAHO offices on donor financial reporting and ensure timely submission.
• Provide ongoing quality assurance of grant level financial information made available to the general public.
• Provide related monthly management reports and ad hoc reports as required that offer insights in the areas of responsibility.
• Utilize financial data for forecasting and strategic planning, aiding in organizational decision-making.
5. Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration and a master’s degree in international finance, business administration, accounting, finance or any other field related to the functions of the post from an accredited institution.
Desirable: A professional accounting certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent would be an asset.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
Experience:
Essential: Nine years of combined national and international progressive professional experience in financial roles, with at least five years of experience at the international level in either the private or public sector. This must include at least five years in a supervisory/managerial capacity, with demonstrated responsibility for managing teams and leading complex financial operations.
Desirable: Accounting experience is considered an asset. Experience within international organizations, working with International Reporting Standards (IFRS) and/or Public Sector Accounting Standards, and knowledge of UN systems would be an asset.
SKILLS:
PAHO Competencies:
· Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
· Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
· Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
· Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
· Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
· Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.
Technical Expertise:
· Comprehensive and advanced knowledge of the theory and practice of accounting and finance; ability to prepare accurate official financial reports.
· Professional competence at the highest level of expertise in the theory and practice of accounting and finance enabling effective control, consolidation and oversight of accounting and financial reporting function across the organization.
· In depth understanding and application of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to ensure compliance and best practices in financial reporting.
· Strong knowledge of the Financial Regulations and Rules applicable to international organizations with the ability to interpret and apply these regulations effectively in various operational contexts.
· Capacity to develop work and business plans aligned with financial management strategy with the overall goals and objectives of FRM and PAHO.
