Accountant - (Investment Operations Specialist – Back Office), P3

Posting Title: Accountant - (Investment Operations Specialist – Back Office), P3

Job Code Title: ACCOUNTANT

Department/ Office United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund

Duty Station NEW YORK

Posting Period 30 June 2014-30 July 2014

Job Opening number 14-FIN-UNJSPF-35151-R-NEW YORK (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Priority consideration for vacancies at the P3 level will be given to internal candidates and candidates who have passed a competitive examination. Any candidate from a member organization of the UNJSPF applying for this post is considered as an internal candidate provided he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promoting procedures applicable in his/her respective organization. Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial Disclosure Programme. An appointment to the Investment Management Division (IMD) of the UNJSPF additionally requires compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to IMD's Code of Ethics, Personal Securities, Gift and Hospitality policies. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Investment Management Division (IMD) of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). IMD is responsible for the day-to-day management of the investments of the Fund. The Back Office team provides investment operations support to ensure timely and accurate settlement of trades and other investments as well as the provision of daily cash projections for cash management. The incumbent reports to the Chief of IMD Operations Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Accountant (Investment Operations Specialist – Back Office) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supervises multi-currency trade settlement activities in order to avoid trade fails.
• Ensures accurate and timely submission of daily cash activity and projection reports to the Fixed Income team in order to avoid overdrafts.
• Analyses accounts and reviews/evaluates unresolved issues.
• Identifies problem transactions, irregularities and recurring problems.
• Provides guidance and assistance with the resolution of more complex accounting issues/exceptions.
• Coordinates the claims process establishing procedures and timelines to be followed and approves compensation claims.
• Supervises data maintenance in critical back-office systems; e.g., standard settlement instructions, market calendar, etc. and ensures data integrity.
• Approves/Confirms that standard settlement instructions and SWIFT message formats are in accordance with the market standards, brokers' and or global custodians' requirements.
• Ensures that accurate and complete back-office investment operations, cash management, and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
• Provides advice and guidance concerning the operating procedures for the back-office investment operations and cash management systems and updates relevant procedures manuals.
• Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling investment transactions.
• Coordinates and supervises the daily reconciliation of the investments of the Fund. Monitors, analyses, reviews and approves SWIFT messages, modifications/amendments and other investment transactions in the back-office system.
• Keeps abreast and provides guidance on new developments in the industry, especially for back-office investment operations and cash management systems.
• Keeps abreast and provides guidance on changes in market requirements; e.g. trade settlement cycles, opening and closing of markets, exchanges, central depositories, transaction taxes and fees, etc. that would require reconfigurations to the back-office and cash management systems and changes in procedures.
• Defines business user requirements and works with Information Systems Section with respect to back office investment operations and cash management systems.
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of global custodians ensuring that they meet their contractual obligations. Participates in the development of strategic framework and biennium budget requests for the Unit.
• Provides information needed to respond to audit findings and contributes to the responses.
• Provides back-up and support to the Chief of Operations Section in administrative areas of the Unit.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of global financial markets, cash management and investment operations, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in global financial markets, cash management and investment operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field. A first-level university degree and an additional 2 years of qualifying experience over the required minimum work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting and/or investment operations is required. Experience in SWIFT or similar secure payments system and experience in a back-office investment system are required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which maybe followed by competency-based interview.

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