Senior Accounting and Finance Assistant

Parent Sector: Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Trieste

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Only candidates who are entitled to work in the EU may apply to this position.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) is located in Trieste (Italy). The center provides scientists from developing countries with continuing education and the skills needed to enjoy long, productive careers, helping to stem scientific brain drain from the developing world.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Management and Coordination

• Assist the Head of Unit in the overall management of financial resources and oversee the Accounting & Treasury, Invoice Control, and Travel Teams.
• Interpret financial and administrative policies; provide guidance and technical training to staff and partners.
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures, monitor internal processes, recommend improvements, and prepare statistical and status reports including periodic dashboards.
• Liaise with UNESCO BFM and other stakeholders on financial, administrative and accounting matters; represent the Section in meetings as required.

Finance and Accounting

• Maintain accurate records of financial transactions; provide expert advice on IPSAS application; manage monthly and yearly financial closure processes.
• Lead the analysis, follow‑up, and liquidation of unliquidated obligations (ULOs). Carry out reconciliation, investigation, and reporting of accounting data; perform bank reconciliation.
• Oversee processing and monitoring of payments; verify invoices against goods and services; certify disbursements and commitments in line with rules and regulations.

Financial Reporting

• Assist in preparing the annual IPSAS‑compliant ICTP Financial Statements and coordinate interaction with External Auditors.
• Provide certified donor financial reporting; organise and oversee independent audits or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports.
• Provide regular and ad‑hoc financial information to senior management and stakeholders.

Asset Management and Additional Activities

• Oversee financial recording of assets (creation, transfer, disposal) and assist in verification of work in progress, inventories, and safeguards.
• Perform additional activities required to ensure the success of the work team.

COMPETENCIES – Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational school.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in finance, accounting or budget management.
• Expert knowledge of international accounting standards (IPSAS and/or IFRS) and their application in a public‑sector or international organisation context.
• Proficiency in SAP or a similar ERP system; experience in financial closure processes and accounts reconciliation.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to interpret financial and administrative standards and resolve complex issues.
• Excellent computer skills including advanced MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); ability to consolidate data and produce accurate financial reports.
• High degree of accuracy, discretion and sense of confidentiality; team and service‑oriented, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and results.
• Ability to operate independently, prioritise competing demands and deliver under tight deadlines; proven capacity to lead and supervise a team.
• Experience in certified donor financial reporting and in organising or overseeing independent audits or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports.
• Knowledge of asset management processes, including financial recording of asset creation, transfer and disposal, and verification of inventories.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Italian.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Professional certification in Finance or Accounting (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in a UN system organisation or international not‑for‑profit organisation.
• Knowledge of UNESCO/UN Financial Rules and Regulations.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• Basic salary of approximately 58 391 EUR per year.
• Potential benefits: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan and other benefits provided by UNESCO.