Senior Accounting and Finance Assistant

ppParent Sector: Natural Sciences Sector (SC) /p pDuty Station: Trieste /p pJob Family: Natural Sciences /p pContract Type: Fixed Term /p pDuration of contract: 2 years /p pRecruitment open to: Internal and external candidates /p pUNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism /p pOnly candidates who are entitled to work in the EU may apply to this position. /p h3ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT /h3 pFounded 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. /p h3KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES /h3 h3General Management and Coordination /h3 ul liAssist the Head of Unit in the overall management of financial resources and oversee the Accounting Treasury, Invoice Control, and Travel Teams. /li liInterpret financial and administrative policies; provide guidance and technical training to staff and partners. /li liDraft Standard Operating Procedures, monitor internal processes, recommend improvements, and prepare statistical and status reports including periodic dashboards. /li liLiaise with UNESCO BFM and other stakeholders on financial, administrative and accounting matters; represent the Section in meetings as required. /li /ul h3Finance and Accounting /h3 ul liMaintain accurate records of financial transactions; provide expert advice on IPSAS application; manage monthly and yearly financial closure processes. /li liLead the analysis, follow‑up, and liquidation of unliquidated obligations (ULOs). Carry out reconciliation, investigation, and reporting of accounting data; perform bank reconciliation. /li liOversee processing and monitoring of payments; verify invoices against goods and services; certify disbursements and commitments in line with rules and regulations. /li /ul h3Financial Reporting /h3 ul liAssist in preparing the annual IPSAS‑compliant ICTP Financial Statements and coordinate interaction with External Auditors. /li liProvide certified donor financial reporting; organise and oversee independent audits or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports. /li liProvide regular and ad‑hoc financial information to senior management and stakeholders. /li /ul h3Asset Management and Additional Activities /h3 ul liOversee financial recording of assets (creation, transfer, disposal) and assist in verification of work in progress, inventories, and safeguards. /li liPerform additional activities required to ensure the success of the work team. /li /ul h3COMPETENCIES – Core (C) Managerial (M) /h3 ul liCommunication (C) /li liAccountability (C) /li liKnowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) /li liCompleted secondary, technical and/or vocational school. /li /ul h3WORK EXPERIENCE /h3 ul liMinimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in finance, accounting or budget management. /li liExpert knowledge of international accounting standards (IPSAS and/or IFRS) and their application in a public‑sector or international organisation context. /li liProficiency in SAP or a similar ERP system; experience in financial closure processes and accounts reconciliation. /li /ul h3SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES /h3 ul liStrong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to interpret financial and administrative standards and resolve complex issues. /li liExcellent computer skills including advanced MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); ability to consolidate data and produce accurate financial reports. /li liHigh degree of accuracy, discretion and sense of confidentiality; team and service‑oriented, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and results. /li liAbility to operate independently, prioritise competing demands and deliver under tight deadlines; proven capacity to lead and supervise a team. /li liExperience in certified donor financial reporting and in organising or overseeing independent audits or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports. /li liKnowledge of asset management processes, including financial recording of asset creation, transfer and disposal, and verification of inventories. /li /ul h3LANGUAGES /h3 ul liExcellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Italian. /li /ul h3DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS /h3 h3EDUCATION /h3 ul liProfessional certification in Finance or Accounting (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). /li /ul h3WORK EXPERIENCE /h3 ul liExperience in a UN system organisation or international not‑for‑profit organisation. /li liKnowledge of UNESCO/UN Financial Rules and Regulations. /li /ul h3BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS /h3 ul liBasic salary of approximately 58 391 EUR per year. /li liPotential benefits: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan and other benefits provided by UNESCO. /li /ul /p #J-18808-Ljbffr