Accountant, P3

This position is located in the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section, Income Tax Unit of the Division of Administration (DA) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Payroll and Accounts Payable Section processes global payroll and payments, provides policy advise and operational guidance, testing and implementation of enhancements. The Income Tax Unit provides analysis and technical direction for planning, implementing, guidance and supporting financial information, provide day-to-day problem-solving services regarding tax process/systems to clients. The Accountant will report to the Chief of the Income Tax Unit.

Within delegated authority, the Accountant will be responsible for the following duties: Tax • Provide advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on tax reimbursement process, policies, and procedures, including making necessary actions for accurate reimbursement and protection of the TEA Fund. • Provide analytical research and information to tax returns and other tax documents such as IRS transcripts and provide an understanding to other parts of the Organization such as in Management Advice and Evaluation Section cases. • Plan, supervise, coordinate, and participate in all phases of the system development tax process particularly with the UN Tax Portal and yearly testing of the UN in-house tax system. • Provide simplified explanation of complex tax matters to clients. • Provide and evaluate tax cases with an excellent understanding of immigration status as it relates to an International Organization. • Provide and coordinate with HR partners the importance processes such as Waiver sign dates, change of immigration status, and the monetary impact on the budget. • Undertake and participate in working with other colleagues to review workbooks such as the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) related to certain tax benefits such as the Child Tax credit, the limited time repeal of the dependent exemption and other areas where benefits are impacted. • Interact with Information Systems Officers in Umoja; OICT, HR OPS; Payroll Finance and several UN Agency Partners. Finance and Budget • Provide input for the business analysis and technical direction for planning, implementing, and supporting financial information systems for the UN Income Tax Unit, including Tax system (STARS), Umoja (SAP ERP), and Tax Portal. • Provide input for analysis of industry best practice in business processes, and design and manage the implementation of new methods of work with departmental or organizational scope that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations. • Provide input for the evaluation of existing systems and identify the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems). • Provide input for select options for solving system and workflow problems and propose the most suitable solutions based upon functional and economic considerations. • Provide input and participate in all phases of the systems development lifecycle, through the negotiation and development of design change documentation. • Assist in test plans and testing methodologies. • Provide day-to-day problem-solving services for complex tax systems issues to clients. • Document system problems and prioritize them. • Identify problems and irregularities in Umoja (SAP ERP), tax operations and completed transactions, resolving them in a timely and effective manner. • Propose resolutions and data fixes following best practice where data has been corrupted. • Write work procedures for systems and/or specific business events. General • Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures and tax issues. • Ensure the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them. • Represent PAPS/ITU or division in inter and intra-departmental meetings. • Plan, organize, manage, and supervise the work of the Tax Unit.

Professionalism: Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. Ability to develop budgetary policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to budgetary matters. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrate 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. Planning and 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in taxation, accounting, information technology, business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in income taxes, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, including complex budgetary and accounting operations, and preferably in both the public and private sector is required. At least five years of professional experience focused on transactional activities of US income tax process is required. Experience working with the United Nations or a large global Organization's system and procedures are required. Experience in finance systems analysis and development is desirable. Experience in SAP Crystal Reports is desirable. Experience with SAP, People Soft or similar ERP systems, specifically in the area of payroll and finance is desirable.

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

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.