Vacancy Notice No. 2009/091


Position and Grade:	Contributions Associate (P-2)
Organizational Unit:	Finance and Accounting Section Division of Budget and Finance Department of Management
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	6 October 2009
Application Deadline:	20 November 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Division of Budget and Finance, part of the Department of Management, is responsible for the financial management of the IAEA and is divided into five sections. The Contributions Unit, an integral part of the Finance and Accounting Section, reports to the Head of Section and the Director of the Division. The Unit is responsible for receiving all contributions to the IAEA for all funds and reporting to Member States and senior management on their use for the implementation of approved programmes.

The Unit comprises 5 staff members. The work of the Unit is allocated on the basis of the source of funding, e.g. Regular Budget funding, voluntary funding. The totals of the various funds as per the Financial Statements for 2008 (2007) are: Regular Budget €270.5 million (€262.9 million), Technical Cooperation Fund €80.2 million (€84.9 million), extrabudgetary €29.6 million (€42.2 million) and technical cooperation extrabudgetary €7.6 million (€10.1 million).

Main purpose

As the Unit's focal point for accounting of all types of contributions and policies related to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) the Contributions Associate, reporting to the Contributions Unit Head, assesses, collects and accounts for all contributions to the IAEA, and provides for support in transition to accrual accounting of revenues.

Role

The Contributions Associate is: (i) an analyst, calculating the Members' contributions, and providing advice on revenue cash management, accounting and financial matters, including those related to the IPSAS transition process; (ii) a liaison, providing timely information to Member States' representatives on the status of contributions, soliciting pledges and providing other detailed explanation on all types of contributions; and (iii) a primary liaison between the Contributions Unit and the IPSAS project team, preparing for accrual accounting transition through a design of new accounting practices, guidelines and systems related to revenues.

Partnerships

The Contributions Associate builds close relationships with Member States and technical departments for discussion of projects and programmes with regard to their acceptance, accounting and reporting.

The Contributions Associate works closely with the IPSAS team leader and IPSAS project team for the smooth implementation of the IPSAS rules and procedures.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Establish scales of assessment of Member State's contributions, base rate and allocation of cash surpluses on the basis of specific principles set by the General Conference. Oversee the work of staff and coordinate the preparation and the dispatch of the annual assessment letters to the entire membership, and initiate follow-up correspondence on the collection status of Members' contributions. Accurately and timely prepare and finalize issuance of numerous documents for Boards of Governors and General Conference documents for higher review.
Lead teams in preparation of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports of Members' contributions and other substantive statistical data requested and required by the Governing Bodies, Member States and the Unit Head.
Lead teams in preparation of the closure and other financial statements necessary for finalization of the IAEA's accounts, and review the work of the team for accuracy and correctness.
Advise Member States' representatives on the subject of contributions, such as individual financial status and accounts payable, and soliciting pledges.
Prepare the monthly cash forecast of Member States' cash contributions versus IAEA's disbursements to enable the monitoring and implementing of the approved programme under the Regular Budget.
Analyse and prepare the transition of all types of revenue (with special focus on extrabudgetary) from cash to accrual accounting in line with IPSAS requirements, including significant changes to the workflow of accounting of revenues. Support the transition by regular monthly reports, as well as milestone reviews and reporting, including preparation of the necessary procedural guidance for the Unit's work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Professional knowledge:
- Knowledge of general accounting principles and financial rules and regulations in an international organization, and effectiveness in interpreting existing financial policies and developing new ones;
- Knowledge of the IPSAS guidelines and procedures, in particular, IPSAS 23 - Revenue from Non-exchange Transactions, would be desirable.
- Advanced computer skills, including ERP (enterprise resource planning), database applications, and standard software (MS Office: Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Access).
Interpersonal skills:
- Excellent sense of tact, sensitivity and proven client orientation;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external counterparts and to negotiate with counterparts in Member States;
- Proven ability to work in multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Teamwork and leadership: Ability to lead a team and oversee the work of team members, build team spirit and recognize the contribution of others.
Good communication skills: Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise reports and produce financial reports and well-documented policies and procedures, as well as to make effective presentations.
Accuracy to ensure the correctness of financial information.
Good planning and organizing skills, with the ability to ensure the timely provision of information under a tight schedule.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

University degree in commerce (accounting), economics or a related area.
At least two years of working experience in accounting, at least one year of which should be at the international level.
Experience in the design, operation and upgrading of complex computerized contributions recording and reporting systems.
Experience in dealing directly with representatives of Member States.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) an advantage.

Remuneration

The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $44 679 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $31 811*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance.

How to apply to the IAEA

* Subject to change without notice

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged

Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. Staff members may be assigned to any location. The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.