IUCN logo

Human Resources
Management System

content-background
pdf
Organisation Logo

Accounting and Finance Assistant

Vacancy #:   5108
Unit:   Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Organisation:   The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
Location:   Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Finance Manager
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   A2
Expected start date:   15 August 2019
Type of contract:   Max-term (25 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   14 July 2019
BACKGROUND
The Convention on Wetlands, also known as the “Ramsar Convention” from the name of the city in Iran where it was signed in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity and services. It was the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Ramsar Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides some administrative services to the Convention’s Contracting Parties for the operations and implementation of the Convention.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of the Finance Officer, the Accounting and Finance Assistant will be responsible for the following tasks:

a) Receipts and Payments
• Daily recording of all receipts including bank credit advices and assessed contributions transactions
• Keep assessed contributions records and assist with yearly billing for Contracting Parties’ contributions and reminder letters for outstanding contributions
• Prepare a monthly update of the status of outstanding contributions of Contracting Parties
• Assist with clearing intercompany balances with IUCN related to items received, paid and recorded by IUCN on behalf of Ramsar, including petty cash transactions
• Daily entry of purchase requisitions and supplier invoices and follow-up of approval and processing
• Keep consultant contracts database up-to-date
• Assist with procurement processes and contracts establishment when required
• Guide and train Secretariat staff on requisitions when required

b) Travel Authorizations and Expense Claims
• Assist with review and clean up travel commitments in system
• Support expense claims submission in compliance with travel policy
• Reconcile credit card accounts on a regular basis and manage Ramsar credit cards
• Support the Secretariat staff on travel authorizations and expense claims when required

c) Other tasks
• In charge of daily electronic and physical filing and archiving of documents of the Finance Unit
• Support allocations to sponsored meeting participants when required
• Assist, when required, in preparing information required by Contracting Parties
• Assist with monthly and yearly financial closure of accounts
• Assist with reports and analysis
• Assist with donor reporting
• Assist with documenting procedures
• Assist in the preparation of audit files
• Any other tasks as may be required

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organization such as the Secratariat of the Ramsar Convention, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the IUCN Human Resources Management Group.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Completion of secondary education required; completion of accounting course(s) desirable

• 2-3 years of experience in a similar position

• Experience in using ERP systems for financial management, procurement and reporting (knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics NAV a plus)

• Proficient in use of MS Office (Word and Excel)

• Experience in maintaining filing systems is desirable

• Good communication skills

• Highly organized with high level attention to detail

• Ability to work and function in multicultural and multidisciplinary environment

• Comfortable using own initiative and taking ownership of the processes

• Fully fluent (written and oral) in English and French, knowledge of Spanish desirable.

• Eligibility to live and work in Switzerland (L, B, C, Ci, G Permit or Swiss citizen);
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 63'307 and CHF 79'134, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.
APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/


About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN